Government solution sought for Sussex child asylum seekers

A GOVERNMENT pledge to negotiate a solution on the cost of looking after child asylum seekers in West Sussex has been welcomed by the county council.

By The Newsroom

Published 1st May 2008, 16:18 BST

Updated 8th Jun 2018, 03:18 BST

The council, which has nearly 230 young asylum seekers in its care, currently spends 3.5million to care for unaccompanied children seeking asylum.

However, Government grants only fund 2million of the cost '“ leaving the county council with a shortfall of 1.5million.

The Government's decision was made after a meeting with the Local Government Association, 10 local authorities that look after more than 3,500 vulnerable asylum seeking children, Home Office Minister Liam Byrne and Children's Minister Kevin Brennan.

For full story see West Sussex Gazette May 7