Funding for councils caring for asylum seeking children

The Home Office has announced a funding boost of over £30 million for local authorities looking after unaccompanied asylum seeking children.

Immigration Minister Caroline Nokes said that the change means that local authorities will be paid the same amount for every unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC) that they look after, regardless of the child’s age or when they entered the UK.

Local authorities will receive £114 for each child every day that they are in their care which equates to over £41,600 per year per child, a 61 per cent increase on the lowest rate that is currently paid. Based on the number of UASC looked after by local authorities, the increase in funding will total over £30 million per year.

Nokes said: “This government is fully committed to helping the most vulnerable children affected by the migration crisis and that is why we have provided protection to over 34,600 children since 2010. I recognise the vital role local authorities play in this effort and that is why I have increased the funding available for looking after unaccompanied asylum seeking children by over £30 million. This funding will help make sure the government and local authorities across the UK can continue to work together to support vulnerable children.”