In Kent, the financial implications of providing driving lessons to refugees who have been granted asylum have come under scrutiny, with taxpayers incurring costs close to £30,000 over the last three years. Most notably, Kent County Council reported spending more than £20,000 on driving lessons and related tests for refugees in the past year alone. This figure marks a significant increase compared to previous years, with the council having spent £5,028 in the year prior and £3,567 the year before that.

Local resident Liam Bennett, 42, from Folkestone, expressed his displeasure about the expenditure, describing it as “absolutely disgraceful” and highlighting the burden this places on local taxpayers, especially in light of a recently announced five per cent increase in council tax, which will raise the average bill to £1,691 per annum. Bennett also voiced concerns about the influx of illegal channel crossings in Kent, questioning how much more funding would be depleted in light of these circumstances.

The statistics regarding the influx of refugees and migrants in the region correspond with the increasing number of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC). Latest figures indicate that as of March 2024, there are 7,380 UASC aged under 18 in council care across England, a rise from 5,080 in 2020. The main entry point for these migrants has been Dover, and Kent County Council reported that it “almost reached capacity” amid a spike in arrivals last December. Consequently, the council leader, Roger Gough, admitted that transferring unaccompanied minors to other local authorities has become increasingly challenging, recording a staggering number of young individuals referred to their services this year.

Benjamin Elks of the TaxPayers’ Alliance also weighed in on the issue, suggesting that while working UK citizens bear significant costs for their own driving lessons, refugees benefit from funded instruction. Elks called for an immediate cessation of this funding initiative by Kent County Council and similar local authorities.

In response to the criticism, Kent County Council clarified that only those who have been granted asylum status are eligible for driving lesson funding. The council further noted that care leavers aged 18 to 24 are also provided support if they require driving lessons, and it is mandatory for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children to receive instruction in driving under current legislation.

Source: Noah Wire Services