Asylum hotel 'is not for children who are usually found homes quickly'
There are concerns about the way a so-called 'asylum hotel' is being funded because of the number of unaccompanied youngsters
There's calls for more funding as the number of under 18s being housed in a so-called 'asylum hotel' in Torbay is higher than first expected.
Councillor Swithin Long, head of economic regeneration at Torbay Council, says 'it's right the area takes its fair share' but warned they are seeing more under 18s than expected which is impacting the council because it is an 'additional pressure' on its children's services.
Around 100 people are currently living in the building, which is funded by the Home Office and last week plans for a similar site in Ilfracombe were scrapped.
A Home Office spokesperson responded to the Torbay Council concerns, saying: "Due to the ongoing and significant surge in arrivals of migrants using dangerous and unsafe methods to enter the UK, we are facing unprecedented levels of demand on hotel accommodation for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.
“On average, unaccompanied children seeking asylum are moved to long term care within 15 days of arriving in a hotel, but we know more needs to be done.
"That is why we are working closely with local authorities to increase the number of placements available and offer councils £6,000 for every child they can provide accommodation for.”
The added that that 'due to the unprecedented number of small boats arrivals, facilitated by callous criminals, and the pressure from covid-19 on the broken asylum system, it has been necessary to use hotels to accommodate some asylum seekers'.
Also that: "The Home Office continues to provide safe accommodation for destitute asylum seekers who need it as we work to end the use of hotels which are costing UK taxpayers more than £5million a day."
The person also stressed: "This is only ever a short-term solution and we are working with our accommodation providers to find appropriate dispersed accommodation across the United Kingdom – but can only do this where Local Authorities agree to support us in procuring accommodation.
"We would encourage all Local Authorities to play their part."