HC Deb 18 November 1997 vol 301 cc173-4W
Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the provision his Department will make for 1998–99 to support expenditure incurred by local authorities in assisting asylum seekers. [16195]

Mr. Boateng

We have given a commitment to reimburse local authorities for their expenditure in supporting asylum seekers for the current year. Whether or not local authorities will need reimbursing in 1998–99 depends on both the outcome of the forthcoming House of Lords appeal against the Court of Appeal ruling that the National Assistance Act 1948 applies to adult asylum seekers, and on the outcome of the current cross-departmental review of the whole asylum process which will report early in the new year.

Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the special grants to cover the costs incurred by local authorities in 1997–98 in support of asylum seekers will meet the full costs incurred by local authorities. [16323]

Mr. Boateng

Three special grants will be made available to local authorities for 1997–98, subject to Parliamentary approval, in respect of their expenditure on support for asylum seeking: adults, families and unaccompanied children.

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 the Families with Children 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 is in recognition of the additional burden on local authorities as a consequence of a change in legislation. 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. This grant will compensate local authorities for their additional costs.

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.

Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will present a special grant report to Parliament, under section 88B of the Local Government Finance Act 1988, to cover the costs incurred by local authorities in 1997–98 in support of asylum seekers under the National Assistance Act 1948 and the Children Act 1989. [16324]

Mr. Boateng

We will shortly be consulting with local authority associations on the terms of the three special grants and plan to present them to Parliament before the end of this year.