Unaccompanied migrant children 'placed in Brighton at short notice'
The city council is urging the Home Office to find a solution
Vulnerable unaccompanied asylum-seeking children are being placed at a hotel in Brighton, according to the leader of Brighton and Hove City Council.
Phélim Mac Cafferty has hit out at the Home Office over its 'poor planning' to temporarily house them in the city - and has said the authority was given less than 24 hours' notice about the decision.
In a statement issued to Greatest Hits Radio, Cllr Mac Cafferty said the decision was 'deeply concerning' and that he had written to the Home Secretary to demand an explanation, without receiving a reply.
“We were not consulted about this decision, there was no discussion with our communities and all arrangements have been made and are being managed by the Home Office.
“We care deeply for the welfare of these children and have concerns, due to the speed at which this has happened, about their well-being and the support they are receiving.
“This should be the highest priority of the Home Office. We have requested officials and minsters provide us with information and reassurance about their current and ongoing care and support.
“While we continue to push for information, we are also seeking our own legal advice to clarify the responsibilities the Home Office has for these young people and what this covers exactly."
Cllr Mac Cafferty added that the council was 'proud to welcome and offer sanctuary' to refugees and children who arrive in the UK by themselves, fleeing war, persecution and climate change concerns.
The city council is currently caring for and supporting 38 unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and over 100 unaccompanied asylum-seeking adults who are now care leavers.
“We firmly believe that all councils should play their part in supporting refugee children, the voluntary scheme we have at the moment is not working and we continue lobbying Government on this issue.
“We know many organisations in the city will want to offer support to the unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and we will be talking to the Home Office in the coming days about how offers of help can be put forward to them.
“We ask that everyone tries to understand that unaccompanied asylum-seeking children are very vulnerable and have complex needs, following on no doubt from extremely traumatic life experiences in their countries of origin and long and unsafe journeys. Like everyone else they are entitled to privacy.”