Jim McMahon – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim McMahon on 2016-02-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what direct funding has been provided to local authorities in Greater Manchester to manage the community impact of asylum placements in those areas.

James Brokenshire

The Government has a legal obligation to provide support to asylum applicants who would otherwise be destitute. Support is provided in form of subsistence allowance and accommodation. The Government provides funding for Strategic Migration Partnerships which act as a focal point for all local authorities in the relevant region to consider and resolve any issues relating to dispersals and migration. The funding for the North West Strategic Migration Partnership for 2015/16 was £139,216.

The Government also provides additional funding to local authorities to support Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children, those leaving care and asylum seekers who are turning 18. The total funding for this population in 2014/5 financial year for Manchester City Council was £441,113.