Hugh Robertson tackles government over £10m black hole in Kent's finances caused by national asylum crisis

Hugh Robertson, the MP for Faversham and Mid Kent, has today raised in Parliament the issue of a £10 million hole in Kent's finances caused by unaccompanied children seeking asylum.

The MP called for a full Parliamentary debate on the subject which also affects Hillingdon, Manchester, Liverpool, West Sussex, Solihull and Oxfordshire.

In Kent’s case, the issue arises because the county has a number of ports of entry at which unaccompanied children seeking asylum arrive. They then have to be cared for by the receiving local authority – in this case Kent County Council.

KCC estimate that the cost of this provision amounts to nearly £10 million – of which £4.5m should come from the Home Office and £5.3m from DCSF. These figures have been independently audited by PriceWaterhouse Coopers. Thus far, Ministers have refused either to meet KCC or repay the costs, potentially leaving Kent’s Council tax payers to pick up the bill.

Hugh Robertson said, “Kent’s position as an entry point to the United Kingdom and the fact that this vulnerable group of people need special care has resulted in a £10 million bill.

This is not Kent’s fault so the Home Office and DCSF should face up to their responsibilities as a matter of urgency rather than leave Kent Council tax payers to foot the bill”.