§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department is taking to ensure that councils are not financially disadvantaged by continuing the care of unaccompanied asylum seekers beyond the age of 16. [131494]
§ Beverley Hughes[holding answer 14 October 2003]: The Home Office is responsible for paying grant to local authorities supporting Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASCs) until the age of 18. The grant allows for local authorities to claim the same level of grant for UASCs aged 16-18 as for under 16s—provided that they applied for asylum before reaching the age of 16.