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As readers of my blog will know Kent is one of a number of
port of entry authorities lobbying government to get the unmet
costs of looking after unaccompanied asylum seeking children
refunded, so they do not unfairly fall to local council
taxpayers.
Currently Kent has almost £10 million outstanding, across all
the councils the bill reaches £60 million.
In our discussions with civil servants it has been suggested
that ministers may agree to a settlement which amounts to less than
a third of our outstanding debt.
I met with 10 other affected port of entry authorities in
Oxfordshire yesterday. We unanimously agreed that this is
unacceptable and we will continue to press for the full amount to
be refunded and will take our case to the House of Lords.
Our figures have been verified in an independent report by
PriceWaterhouse Coopers so there is no reason for the government to
withhold this money.
They must return it to Kent
taxpayers. |