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Kent Social Services (Asylum Seekers)

Volume 301: debated on Friday 28 November 1997

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To ask the Secretary of State for Health what special arrangements he will make to assist Kent county council social services department with the costs incurred in respect of its statutory duties as a result of the recent influx of asylum seekers at Dover. [14496]

Kent, like other local authorities, will be able to claim for reimbursement of its costs in supporting asylum seekers through three Special grants for 1997–98, subject to Parliamentary approval being given for these grants.For adult asylum seekers, local authorities will be able to claim their full costs up to a limit of £140 per week, averaged out over the year, for each asylum seeker supported. Local authorities will also be able to claim an additional £10 per week for each asylum seeker accommodated in specially commissioned or re-commissioned premises.For asylum-seeking families Grant, local authorities will be able to recover 80 per cent. of the additional cost above the threshold set in Council tax Band D. This grant is provided in recognition of the additional burden which accommodating such families places on local authorities. The grant recognises that services for children and families have always formed a core part of social service functions, and so it would not be appropriate to meet costs in full.Responsibilities for unaccompanied asylum seeking children and associated costs have fallen on a limited number of authorities. In recognition of these costs, a special grant of £3 million will be made available to local authorities. The grant is intended as a contribution towards helping local authorities meet their spending on unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and it was never intended that the Government would be responsible for meeting the full costs.