# Algorithm allocates Highland ‘significant increase’ in asylum-seeking children

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/algorithm-allocates-highland-significant-increase-in-asylum-seeking-children/
- Published: 2026-11-06T09:59:42+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-06T11:55:55+00:00
- Original publisher: BBC Politics (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6y43zvwzre1o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Topics: Politics

## Key points

- Highland’s allocation has risen from one child per cycle to five.
- The council says housing and staffing pressures make this difficult.
- The Home Office says the scheme shares responsibility among councils.

## Summary

Highland Council says a revised Home Office allocation formula has increased fivefold the number of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children it is expected to take in, creating significant challenges. The council says its housing shortage, high costs and limited workforce were not factored into the algorithm, raising concerns about its ability to provide suitable support.

Highland currently looks after 72 of the 380 such children in Scotland, according to figures for 31 July 2025. It used to take one child per allocation cycle and is now assigned five; cycles can be two weeks to several months apart. The council receives £143 per day for each child under 18 and £270 a week for those over 18. The Home Office says councils have a statutory duty to support the children and that the National Transfer Scheme is intended to share responsibility fairly.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.