The financial implications of funding driving lessons for asylum-seeking refugees in Kent have led to significant criticism from local residents and taxpayers.
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
- https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/news/why-30k-has-been-spent-in-kent-on-driving-lessons-for-asylu-321435/ – This article supports the claim that Kent has spent almost £30,000 on driving lessons for children granted asylum over the past three years.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulq3XI2iSck – This YouTube video corroborates the spending on driving lessons for asylum seekers in Kent, highlighting a significant expenditure.
- https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-statistics-year-ending-september-2023 – Although not directly available in the search results, this type of government publication would typically provide statistics on unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) and migration trends in England.
- https://www.taxpayersalliance.com/ – The TaxPayers’ Alliance website might contain statements or press releases from Benjamin Elks regarding public spending on driving lessons for refugees.
- https://www.kent.gov.uk/about-the-council/council-tax – Kent County Council’s website would provide information on council tax increases and their impact on local residents.
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-authority-childrens-services-statistics – Government publications like this would typically include data on the number of UASC in council care across England.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative references recent figures and events, such as the increase in council tax and the number of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children as of March 2024. However, it lacks specific dates for some events, which could indicate it might not be entirely up-to-date.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
Direct quotes are provided from Liam Bennett and Benjamin Elks, but without specific references to earlier sources, it’s difficult to verify if these are original or have been used previously. The lack of online evidence for these exact quotes suggests they might be original.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from Birmingham Mail, a reputable local news outlet. However, the reliability could be further enhanced by cross-referencing with national or more diverse sources.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about spending on driving lessons and the challenges faced by Kent County Council are plausible given the context of increased refugee arrivals and local budget pressures. However, specific figures and policies might require additional verification.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative appears to be relatively fresh, referencing recent events and figures. Quotes seem original, and the source is generally reliable. The plausibility of the claims is reasonable, but some details might require further verification to ensure accuracy.
