Asylum: Young People
Home Department
Written answers and statements, 3 November 2009
Andrew Smith (Oxford East, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of its grant to local authorities to meet the costs of unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people over the age of 16.
Phil Woolas (Minister of State (the North West), Home Office; Oldham East & Saddleworth, Labour)
holding answer
We are satisfied the grant arrangements are adequate.
Local authority costs in supporting unaccompanied asylum seeking children for the period up until the end of the financial year 2007-08 have been reimbursed in full as part of an agreement between the UK Border Agency and the Local Government Association (LGA). Funding claims for the financial year 2008-09 are still being checked. The grant for the financial year 2009-10 is very similar to the arrangements agreed with the LGA, with the exception that from October cash ceilings have been placed on indirect costs.