‘Nations of sanctuary’ are failing

A Home Office minister has accused devolved governments and some councils of declining to help look after unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

Chris Philp also criticised authorities which label themselves “cities of sanctuary or even nations of sanctuary” but do not consent to longer-term accommodation managed by others on behalf of the Home Office. He said the administrations in Scotland and Wales were among those which could do more to ease the pressure on parts of England.

MP Jack Brereton (Con) said Stoke resettled the “largest number of refugees in the region” and noted this had put pressure on our local services.

Mr Philp responded: “There are some parts of the country who either decline to take unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, putting enormous pressure on gateway authorities like Kent, Portsmouth, Croydon and Hillingdon and many other local authorities who often do not give consent for dispersed accommodation.”