Details about young refugees in UK 'inadequate', councils warn

The backstories of young refugees arriving in Britain are still not adequately being shared with councils who go on to take responsibility for them, according to the body that represents local authorities.

The chair of the Local Government Association's asylum, refugee and migration task group, David Simmonds, has told Sky News that while the vast majority of young refugees settle in well, the information that councils receive from the Home Office often fails to give them the full profile and potential risks of an individual.

Mr Simmonds was speaking following the news that the two suspects in custody over the Parsons Green terror attack had both arrived in the UK and had been fostered as part of their resettlement from Iraq and Syria.

While not commenting directly on the case, he outlined a worry that he says is shared by many local authorities across the UK.

"Councils have long been raising concerns that the information we get is inadequate," he said.

"It was a big concern that was raised at the time when the Calais camp was closed last year and a significant cohort of children all arrived at the same time and that hasn't gone away.

"But clearly we are trying to ensure that we work with ministers to make sure the checks that are done at the border pick up those risks as best they can."

Mr Simmonds, who has responsibility for children's services in the London borough of Hillingdon next to Heathrow airport, added: "I understand that the Home Office is in a difficult position.

"It won't always be able to do the kind of in-depth vetting, but in many situations we know from foster carers and others involved with those children is that the warning signs are there.

"Where we have those concerns at the point when they arrive we can be much more certain at protecting them or protecting other people that if it is kept confidential."

The details of when and how the Parsons Green suspects entered the UK have not been disclosed.

Both are still in custody and have not yet been charged with any offence.

The Home Office told Sky News individuals who seek asylum in the UK are subject to checks.

It added that if the results of those checks are of concern, they are shared with the local authority.