Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what advice they have issued to local authorities about the process of applying for legal aid through exceptional case funding for unaccompanied and separated children for children from the European Economic Area and Switzerland in care.

We have issued communications to Local Authority Directors of Children’s Services on the availability of exceptional case funding for separated migrant children’s immigration matters.

As part of Legal Support Action Plan, we are working to issue new guidance to improve understanding and awareness of the availability of exceptional case funding.

We have engaged with charity groups and stakeholders on this issue and have committed to lay legislation to bring non-asylum immigration matters into the scope of legal aid for separated migrant children. Subject to parliamentary time we intend to lay the amendment as soon as possible. Over the coming months we will continue to work with children’s charities and the Department of Education on further communications and guidance on this amendment.