Immigration Bill (Twelfth sitting)

Kelly Tolhurst Excerpts

Thursday 5th November 2015 Public Bill Committees

[Kelly Tolhurst (Rochester and Strood) (Con)]

I support my hon. Friend. In Kent, we have seen significant numbers of unaccompanied minors over the past few months. I have noticed that the cost of looking after those unaccompanied minors has put massive pressure on our local authorities. Although we accept that we need to look after those young people and make sure that they feel safe when they come here, we must also recognise that we have a duty to the children already in state care in our county. When there is extra pressure on social workers and foster places, it is—

[The Chair]

Order. I call Simon Hoare to speak to the amendment.