Funding for councils caring for children seeking asylum

Minister for Immigration Compliance Chris Philp has confirmed the Home Office’s firm commitment to support local authorities in caring for vulnerable children by announcing further funding.

For the third time in four years, the Home Office has increased financial support for councils who look after children, with Philp pledging ‘a significant uplift in funding’ for all local authorities providing ongoing support to those unaccompanied asylum seeking children leaving care.

The new rate of £240 per person per week replaces the previous rates of £150 and £200 per week, representing a 20-60 per cent increase. The government has also said that there will be a targeted 25 per cent uplift in funding for local authorities across the UK who are currently looking after the highest numbers of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children when compared to their child population. They will receive a tariff of £143 per child per night instead of the standard rate of £114 per child per night.

Philp said: “Protecting vulnerable children is a key priority for this government and local authorities across the UK continue to provide invaluable support. In recognition of this, I am very pleased to announce an increase in funding for local authorities across the UK.”