Unaccompanied Migrant Children

Baroness Janke Excerpts

Wednesday 30th October 2024 Lords Chamber

[Lord Hanson of Flint (Lab)]

That is the intention of the Home Office. The noble Lord will know that this Government, in our current incarnation and in previous incarnations between 1997 and 2010, have been very strong on enforcement, securing action against people who commit modern slavery and supporting action to avoid exploitation, and we will continue to do that. The local authority has primary responsibility, and we have a duty to ensure that we reduce the number of unaccompanied children but support local authorities in safeguarding them properly.

[Baroness Janke (LD)]

My Lords, in the light of 14 years of desperate cuts to local government, what will the Government do to support it in fulfilling its responsibilities to these children, many of whom have suffered trauma and terrible circumstances on their way here? There is a grave danger that the ones whom the Minister is talking about could become victims of modern slavery. What will the Government do to ensure that local government can fulfil its responsibilities to those vulnerable victims?

[Lord Hanson of Flint (Lab)]

A partnership has been in operation to date with local authorities, particularly Kent County Council, to help quickly with placement and support for those young individuals. Obviously I have just heard my right honourable friend the Chancellor’s Budget, and we have to reflect on that in relation to the local government settlement. However, I assure the noble Baroness that there is a commitment from this Government to ensure the protection of vulnerable children who come here unaccompanied.