REFUGEE CHILDREN AND AGE DISPUTES

That this House is concerned at the number of refugee and asylum-seeking children who are residing in this country without parents or carers and whose age is disputed by the immigration authorities; notes that the age determination process is imprecise and is often conducted under a culture of disbelief; further notes that once children are determined to be over 16 they are required to live on their own and look after themselves, on only £35 a week, rather than receiving the care and provisions they need as children; and calls on the Government to carry out an investigation into the age determination process that allows vulnerable children to be treated as adults.