Asylum seeking children deserve our support 

Commenting on the announcement today (Thursday) from Immigration Minister Liam Byrne MP on the publication of "Planning Better Outcomes and Support for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children"  London Councils' Chairman, Councillor Merrick Cockell, said:

"London's authorities care for some 70 per cent of unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASCs) in the UK, and, while we recognise that progress is now being made on this issue, the government needs to move much more quickly to resolve it.

Local authorities agree with the sentiments of the Children Act: every child does matter - but sadly, the Immigration Act disagrees. Until this conflict is resolved, local authorities will be left caring for UASCs with little or no support from central government. This is unfair on local authorities and unjust to this most vulnerable of groups.

Unaccompanied asylum seeking children need properly structured and funded support, and I would urge government to work with local authorities to help us provide this to ensure every child really does matter."