Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Taylor of Holbeach on 21 July (WA 150–1), whether they will appoint personal advocates for each child asylum applicant whose case is awaiting appeal who has no parents in Britain.

The Government has no immediate plans to introduce personal advocates for child asylum seekers across the UK.All unaccompanied children entering local authority care are entitled to the same level of support and protection, regardless of their immigration status, nationality or documentation. This includes a social worker responsible for planning the care of the child, and an independent reviewing officer who would ensure the child was aware of the implications of their immigration and asylum status.