Calais: Child Refugees

Baroness Hodgson of Abinger Excerpts

Tuesday 13th December 2016 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Williams of Trafford]

I am pleased that the noble Lord, who is so concerned with safeguarding, has raised that question. Those concerns have not been raised with us, although I have seen them in the papers. We have not received specific details of any cases, but we will of course investigate any concerns fully. We are working closely with the LGA and would of course engage with any relevant agencies, should those stories be verified. We would do that in the same way as we would with our own children.

[Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Con)]

My Lords, are the Government providing any upstream funding to help with the welfare of these children when they come here?

[Baroness Williams of Trafford]

As I think I have said in answer to previous Questions, the Government are certainly providing funding for the children when they come here. Local authorities will receive two bands of funding—for children under the age of 16 and for those between 16 and 17. We are also providing funding for English language learning and funding to local authorities experiencing high levels of immigration in their communities.