Kent council reaches capacity to care for migrant children after 13 new arrivals 'tips the balance'

“This is a huge challenge for Kent, but a relatively small challenge to solve nationally”
A group of people thought to be migrants are brought into Dover, Kent, onboard a Border Force vessel on August 16
PA

Kent County Council has reached its capacity to care for young asylum seekers after more than 420 unaccompanied migrant children arrived on its shores this year.

Council leader Roger Gough warned last week the local authority was just “days away” from reaching capacity.

Around 420 unaccompanied migrant children arrived in Kent this year and more than 100 are expected in August – a monthly figure not seen since the last major migrant crisis in 2015.

“I am deeply disappointed and concerned that, despite our many efforts to avoid this unthinkable situation, it has been necessary to make this announcement today," said Mr Gough in a statement issued by the council on Monday.

“This is a huge challenge for Kent, but a relatively small challenge to solve nationally, and should have been resolved before now.”

He said the limit had been reached despite efforts to work with the Home Office and other local authorities.

While adult migrants and families landing on Kent’s shores are sent to other parts of the country, the council retains responsibility for unaccompanied children.

Mr Gough added: “The stark reality today is that, despite my conversations with the Home Office alerting them that Kent expected to reach safe capacity to meet its statutory duty of care this weekend, 13 new arrivals in the last 2 days has now tipped the balance and the council simply cannot safely accommodate any more new arrivals at this time.”

Unaccompanied children arriving in Kent remained in the council’s care system “for quite a number of years”, Mr Gough said last week.

A Border Force officer carries a young child as a group of people thought to be migrants are brought into Dover, Kent on August 16
PA

This puts additional pressure on the council’s wider children’s social services, who are also responsible for looking after young people local to Kent, he added.

A Home Office spokesman said: “This is an unprecedented situation and we have been working incredibly closely with Kent County Council to urgently address their concerns.

“We continue to provide Kent County Council with a high level of support, such as significantly increasing funding and reducing pressure on their services through a national transfer scheme.

“We are also providing extra support with children’s services and we continue to work across the local government network on their provision for unaccompanied minors.”

More than 4,000 migrants have made it into the UK so far this year after completing the voyage across the English Channel, with at least 597 arriving between Thursday and Sunday.

The news comes after immigration minister Chris Philp promised a “new, comprehensive action plan” to stem the latest surge in crossings after talks with French officials in Paris on July 11.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) responded to the Home Office’s formal request for help by sending in RAF planes.

Three have been sent up into the skies above the Channel this week so far to carry out surveillance and help the coastguard and Border Force spot emerging crossing attempts.

Additional reporting by PA Media.

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