Update on Local Government Association and London Council's negotiations with Government on local authority support for unaccompanied asylum seeking children AS OF 18 JULY 2009

Background

The urgent need for a prompt resolution funding issues in relation to special circumstances grant settlement for 2006/07 and major shortfalls in the current level of funding for the support for unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC) leaving care has had widespread support across local authorities.

Cllr Roger Lawrence (LGA), Cllr Merrick Cockell (London Councils), Cllr Paul Carter (Kent) met with

Liam Byrne MP (Home Office) and Kevin Brennan MP (Department for Children, Schools and Families) on 22 April to outline the local government position on these issues. Liam Byrne attended the meeting of the LGA Asylum and Refugee Task Group on 5 June, where this issue also was discussed.

It was agreed at this meeting that a further meeting between government officials and local government officers would take place to examine current claims and the level of shortfalls and that Members and Ministers would then act on the conclusions of that joint meeting. The LGA and London Councils convened a full day session with DCSF and Home Office officials and local government representatives on 23 May. This did not lead to a resolution that could be submitted to Ministers and a further four meetings took place to attempt to find a way forward.

Current position

The LGA and London Councils have verbally agreed a settlement an agreement with Government that is regarded as a reasonable settlement for local authorities, following soundings taken from key representatives, including those in the Joint Councils.

We are still awaiting confirmation of grants to individual local authorities for additions to special circumstances grants for 06/07 before formal acceptance of the proposed settlement. The settlement also will include a one-off payment in relation to support for asylum seekers leaving care before the Home Office takes over support for this funding stream from the DCSF.

It is hoped that local authorities will be contacted as soon as possible with further information once these final details have been clarified. Please note that this information remains confidential until the deal is formally concluded.

The settlement should provide a useful basis from which local authorities may wish to engage with the new arrangements for meeting the needs of UASCs. We have welcomed the UASC reform programme proposed by the Home Office which will allow Authorities to negotiate guaranteed funding for support over 3 years as the current system is inconsistent, outdated and under-resourced.

Request for information from UKBA in relation to cost of support

Local Authorities were asked in communications on the Asylum Seekers Support Grant 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008 for additional information in respect of direct costs for UASC and LAC. It is stated that this comparison will be used to inform the grant reimbursement process for 2008/09. As noted above, with UKBA taking over resources from DCSF for asylum seekers leaving care this year, a comparison with costs for the wider children in care population has been deemed necessary by UKBA to inform future funding levels. London Councils and the LGA will be vigilant about how this data is used in any future funding negotiations.