William Eichler 21 February 2019

Council spending on asylum-seeking children doubles in four years

Local authority leaders have called on the Government to provide ‘vital’ funding to help them support unaccompanied children seeking asylum.

The latest figures show that the number of asylum-seeking children and young people under 18 in care in England rose from 2,760 in 2014/15 to 4,480 in 2017/18.

According to the Local Government Association, councils spent more than £152m on unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in 2017/18 – an increase of 95% on the £77m spent in 2014/15.

Councils are also seeing an increase of more than 50% in two years in unaccompanied children leaving care when they turn 18, but remaining the responsibility of the local authority.

There were 4,660 unaccompanied children leaving care in 2016, which went up to 7,130 in 2018.

Cllr David Simmonds, chairman of the LGA’s Asylum, Migration and Refugee Task Group, called on the Government to fully fund councils that are facing ‘significant financial pressures’ so that they can help support children in their care.

‘Councils have a strong track record supporting those resettling in the UK and are committed to providing the best support possible,’ said Cllr Simmonds.

‘However, given the significant financial pressures councils are under as they set local budgets and council tax in the coming weeks, achieving the level of support new arrivals are legally entitled to is becoming more and more challenging.

‘Councils want to make sure every child in their care gets the very best support which keeps them safe from harm, and enables them to go on and live fulfilling, happy and healthy lives.

‘This is why the Government needs to announce the findings of its long overdue review into the funding of support provided by councils for unaccompanied children.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Technical Support Officer

Wyre Borough Council
Grade 5 £25,992 – £27,711
This is a really exciting time to join Wyre Council, with a new Leader and Chief Executive leading our next chapter. Poulton-Le-Fylde, Lancashire
Recuriter: Wyre Borough Council

Residential Worker

Essex County Council
£27934.00 - £35344.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Residential WorkerPermanent, Full Time£27,934 up to £35,344 Per Annum (includes allowance) equal to £14.48 to £18.32 Per HourLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Early Years Keyworker

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£37,068 - £38,058
Want to make a difference for children with special educational needs in Greenwich? Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Early Years Area SENCo

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£39,855 - £42,324
Have you got extensive experience in working within Early Years, with a clear understanding of child development Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Young Persons Substance Misuse Service Pathfinder

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£31,524 - £32,931
Are you looking to change the lives of young people? Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich
Linkedin Banner