A parliamentary committee report has found that 40 children who went missing from hotels housing asylum seekers in the UK have still not been found, with MPs calling on ministers to explain how they are trying to locate them.
Key facts
- Forty children reported missing from UK asylum hotels remain unaccounted for.
- Two of the missing are believed to still be under 18.
- The figure appears in a report by the joint committee on human rights.
- Most of the 472 children originally reported missing have since been found.
- The committee said it was 'extremely concerned' for those still missing.
Forty children who went missing from hotels housing asylum seekers in the UK have still not been found, according to a parliamentary report. The finding has renewed pressure on ministers to explain what steps are being taken to locate the group.
The figure emerged in a report published on Thursday by the joint committee on human rights, which examined how the social care system is failing young adults. Two of the 40 missing children are believed to still be under 18, according to the report.
The committee welcomed the fact that most of the 472 children originally reported missing from asylum hotels have since been found. However, it said it remained ‘extremely concerned’ for those who are still unaccounted for.
Ministers are now facing calls from MPs and peers to set out what they are doing to find the remaining children, the Guardian reported. The committee’s findings place the issue within a broader scrutiny of failings in the social care system affecting young people.
The report highlights ongoing concerns about the safeguarding of unaccompanied children within the asylum system, an issue that has drawn repeated attention from lawmakers and campaigners.
Why it matters
The safety of unaccompanied children in the asylum system is a central safeguarding responsibility of the state, and children who remain missing may be at risk of harm or exploitation. The parliamentary scrutiny signals continued political pressure on the government to account for how vulnerable young people in its care are protected.
Frequently asked questions
How many children are still missing from UK asylum hotels?
According to a parliamentary report, 40 children who went missing from UK asylum hotels have still not been found.
Are any of the missing children still under 18?
Yes. The report states that two of the 40 missing children are believed to still be under 18.
How many children were reported missing in total?
A total of 472 children were reported missing, most of whom have since been found, the committee said.