To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what account his Department takes of (a) a local authority’s performance in implementing the Hillingdon judgment and (b) the availability of appropriate welfare support when placing asylum-seeking children with local authorities. (76643)

I have been asked to reply.

The DfES collects annual statistics through the National Data Collection exercise on the number of children, including unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC), who become looked after and the age at which they cease to be looked after. These figures show how local authorities are supporting looked-after children who are UASC.

Neither the Home Office nor the Department for Education and Skills places children with individual local authorities. However, immigration service and National Asylum Support Service officials do make referrals to local authorities of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children who appear to them to be children in need, within the meaning of the Children Act 1989. Where there is any doubt about the identity of the responsible local authority, this takes place in accordance with guidance that has been agreed with the Association of Directors of Social Services (ADSS).

The Home Office in partnership with DfES and relevant local authorities intends soon to consult on how consistent standards for the accommodation and support of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children might best be developed. The Home Office in partnership with DfES and relevant local authorities intends soon to consult on how consistent standards for the accommodation and support of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children might best be developed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average cost was of detaining an individual in an immigration removal centre for one week in the latest period for which information is available. (76491)

The average direct cost (not including overheads) of holding an individual in an immigration removal centre for one week is £812.