TAXPAYERS are having to pick up the bill for the further and higher education of unaccompanied asylum seeking children if they are still living in Hillingdon when they reach their 18th birthdays.

The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) has changed the way it funds such asylum seeking between the ages of 18 and 24, leaving Hillingdon Council to find £3.7 million to cover the balance.

Council leader councillor Ray Puddifoot said: "The Government and DfES have to face up to their share of the financial responsibilities.

"We are happy to keep these young people here, just not at the taxpayers' expense, because they haven't done anything to deserve it."

On June 22, the High Court ruled that the council could seek a judicial review of the way that Hillingdon's 900 unaccompanied asylum seeking children were funded by the DfES.

Councillor Anthony Way, leader of the opposition Labour group, said: "We will work with other parties to ensure that this issue is resolved between DfES, the Government and Hillingdon Council."

Hillingdon Council receives a high number of young asylum seekers who arrive at Heathrow Airport.

These children pass into the care of Hillingdon social services while their applications for asylum are processed.

But a court ruling in 2003, known as the "Hillingdon judgement" means that unaccompanied asylum seeking children would receive funding up to the age of 21 if they were not in further education and up to the age of 24 if they are at university or completing a masters degree.

It was deemed that Hillingdon Council had a responsibility as a "good corporate parent" to provide for them.

Then, in 2005, the way asylum seeking children were funded was suddenly changed by the DfES, leaving Hillingdon Council with a £1.6 million deficit.

Councillor Michael Cox, leader of the council's Liberal Democrat group, said: "It's scandalous the way the Government has changed the way its funding, it's completely wrong."

At present, there are 184 unaccompanied asylum seeking children in Hillingdon who have exhausted the appeals process and who are officially illegal immigrants.

But neither the Home Office, the DfES nor Hillingdon Council can do anything about them.

They cannot claim benefit or work.

Councillor Puddifoot said: "These young people don't have leave to remain here so they have to go home, and that makes the situation worse, because the DfES say that they aren't covered by the Hillingdon Judgement so now we have to fund them too."

There are a further 716 young adults under 24 who are seeking asylum and receiving funding from Hillingdon social services.

The average weekly cost of each child to the council is between £191 to £200.

This can be more or less, depending on the services that the child requires said Jenny Vickers, a communications officer for Hillingdon council.

The DfES refused to comment saying it was inappropriate while this situation was under judicial review.

The knock- on effect is expected to be around £4.6 million each year until it is resolved.

aali@london.newsquest.co.uk