This report summarises the current arrangements for unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC) and adult asylum seekers being received by the UK, the challenges in the UASC system and the Our Turn campaign, which councils across the UK are being asked to support and make pledges towards.
Following discussion by the London Councils’ Executive in January, Lord Dubs – who leads the Our Turn campaign – will be attending Leaders’ Committee to discuss his work.
Leaders’ Committee is asked to revisit and confirm previous calls from London local government on this issue, including:
• Future financial support from Government must fully fund the costs of caring for all UASC.
• That there must be a single, consistent national response to this issue which is equitable, proportionate and ensures no council remains above its 0.07% threshold of their total child population - the threshold above which central government considers the pressure upon local authorities to be unreasonable. .
• That there should not be pressure for a disproportionate number of placements on London and the South East as a result of the Our Turn campaign.
• That the Home Office should engage with London boroughs to reform the current processing arrangements in the Capital in order to ensure the more efficient assessment and transfer of UASC.
In addition, Leaders’ Committee is invited to note that, in view of the distribution of child and adult asylum seekers, it is vital that future arrangements within London and nationally are equitable and proportionate.