WORLD

Local Councils could COLLAPSE as cost of ‘Child Asylum Seekers’ ROCKETS

21 February, 2019
David Clews

According to The Local Government Association the cost to councils in England of looking after rising numbers of child asylum seekers has nearly DOUBLED in four years

It says the annual cost of providing accommodation and care for these young asylum seekers has now risen to £152m. The Home Office states that it is the legal duty of Councils to look after them.

In 2014-15, they were spending about £78m on caring for about 2,800 young asylum seekers. However in 2017-18, they were looking after almost 4,500 young asylum seekers, with costs increasing by 95%, to £152m. The Funding gap could it £3.1 billion by 2025.

According to BBC England:

Local authorities receive some support from central government but they say it is not enough to cover the full costs.

As well as accommodation, councils say they have expenses such as social workers and mental health services.

“Councils have a strong track record supporting those resettling in the UK and are committed to providing the best support possible,” said David Simmonds, who chairs the LGA’s asylum, migration and refugee task group.

But, he said, given the “significant financial pressures” facing councils, it was becoming “more and more challenging” to provide the services they were legally obliged to.

Mr Simmonds called on the government to announce the findings of a review into funding support for unaccompanied children.

He said it was vital that there was a “joint commitment” between national and local government about adequate levels of funding.

A Spokesperson for the Home Office said: “We are currently reviewing the funding arrangements and over 50 local authorities have taken part. We hope to reach a conclusion soon but it is right that we take time to thoroughly assess the evidence.”

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