WIREDGOV

Cllr David Simmonds, Chairman of the Local Government Association's Asylum, Refugee and Migration Task Group, responds to the Children's Society report on support for migrant children.

"Councils have a strong track record of supporting refugees and asylum seekers, including children in need of additional support, children travelling alone and those settling in the UK with their families. Local government continues to stand ready to help those who need it, and the vast majority of councils are already providing support for refugee families and unaccompanied children.

"The average support provided by councils to each of the thousands of households without recourse to public funds is more than £15,000 per year.  However, councils have long been concerned that current immigration legislation is muddled about the support that these families and vulnerable children should receive.

"Clear links need to be made across all the programmes that resettle asylum seekers and refugees to make sure there is enough funding and support services available. It simply isn't possible to leave a small number of councils to look after large numbers of children and no council should be made to choose between supporting children and providing vital services for their local community.

"While it's positive that the Immigration Bill plans to address these inconsistencies, we're concerned that the Bill as it stands will result in families that are refused asylum going underground, rather than returning to their countries of origin.

"Councils have significant safeguarding concerns for children in this position, who could be at risk of slavery or sexual exploitation when forced to rely on informal support. We are therefore keen to engage with the Government on the implementation of the Bill to make the role of councils clear and to make sure that refused asylum-seeking families are encouraged to return to their home country before support ends."

View related information: http://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/news-and-blogs/our-blog/the-needs-of-destitute-migrant-children-going-unmet