Councils supporting unaccompanied asylum-seeking children are to receive an increased day rate which for the first time does not take into account the child’s age or when they entered the UK.
Immigration minister Caroline Nokes MP, said, the new rate of £114 per child per night – equivalent to £41,610 a year – reflected the “incredibly valuable work” local authorities carried out with vulnerable unaccompanied children and the Home Office’s commitment in supporting them.
The rise, which applies to care provided from 1 April 2019, compares to the previous range of £71 to £95. The calls for a boost were among a raft of key recommendations set out in a recent report of the housing, communities and local government committee which warned that £3.1bn more in funding was needed to stem a children’s services crisis in England.
Further details are available here.