WIREDGOV

Cllr David Simmonds, Chairman of the Local Government Association's Asylum, Refugee and Migration Task Group, responds to the Government's announcement that the UK will provide a resettlement route to the UK, specifically designed for ‘Children at Risk' from the Middle East and North Africa region.

"Councils have a strong track record of supporting refugees, including children at risk, travelling alone or those in extended family groups. Local government continues to stand ready to help those who need it, with the vast majority of councils already settling unaccompanied children and children in Syrian refugee families.

"It is right that the increased resettlement programme is phased in over time and is subject to review, given the vulnerability of the children councils will be welcoming into their communities. These new measures must be planned in full partnership with councils and be effectively funded to ensure that services are able to cope with any additional demand and meet children's needs.

"Any new scheme also needs to be clearly aligned with existing schemes for unaccompanied asylum seeking children, refugees and asylum seeking families to ensure there is sufficient capacity and resources to support these vulnerable people.

"Councils remain concerned that the Government is still unable to clarify the long-term funding arrangements for councils looking after unaccompanied children, or provide any detail of how a national dispersal mechanism will operate. While the extended funding boost for children arriving into Kent recognises the current shortfall facing councils caring for unaccompanied children, it is crucial that this arrangement is now extended into a properly funded national scheme to support all areas struggling with increased numbers."

Related information: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-scheme-launched-to-resettle-children-at-risk