Government failing child asylum claimants

12.00.00am GMT Thu 31st Jan 2008

Commenting on the Government's statement today on improving the care of unaccompanied asylum seeking children, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne said:

"Thousands of unaccompanied children claim asylum every year, many of them victims of trafficking, yet our system still fails to deal with them humanely.

"Shockingly, 10 trafficked children disappear from local authority care every month. This shows we are failing in our duty of care, since many disappear back into the hands of their traffickers.

"Local authorities need more specialist help and support. The idea that children should be dispersed to the regions is good in theory. However, it is also important that they have access to legal advice which is mainly available in London and the South East."