The deputy leader of Derby City Council has welcomed more than £3 million of Government funding to house and educate unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in the city.

The council and other authorities receive an annual grant from the Home Office to ensure that unaccompanied asylum-seeking children are cared for while their asylum claims are processed.

Councillor Paul Hezelgrave told a council meeting some of the children coming to Derby “may have had the ordeal of crossing the channel in those small boats”.

The city council has been approached on how many “vulnerable” unaccompanied children seeking asylum are currently in Derby.

placeholder image — Derby City Council Hq

Last year nationally, there were more than 4,000 claims from unaccompanied children seeking asylum.

New figures show that 1,300 migrants (no ages specified) crossed the English Channel over the past week. It is reported that there have been more than 40,000 arrivals to the UK so far in 2025.

According to the council, the total Home Office grant for the next financial year (2026/27) is £3.5 million. The Labour-led council says this is an increase of £500k compared to previous years.

A spokesperson for the council confirmed the money is spent “primarily on accommodation, which could be in a range of settings dependent on their age, needs and abilities”.

The spokesperson added: “This ensures that these vulnerable children have access to appropriate healthcare, education, training and employment, and opportunities for social interaction.”

Deputy council leader Councillor Hezelgrave, who is cabinet member for children, young people and skills, said children arrive with an expectation “to become full members of this society”.

He told a cabinet meeting: “These young people have obviously gone through a lot of trauma to get here. They were unaccompanied, so they have done it on their own.

“They have gone through several countries at least and may have had the ordeal of crossing the channel in those small boats.

“They arrive with a firm expectation and resolve to become full members of this society and they are very aspirational in terms of what they want to do with their lives. And how they want to make the best way in life through work.

“It is really pleasing to receive this grant.”

The council added unaccompanied children are likely to be uncertain or unaware of their rights and whom they should trust and may have experienced emotional trauma in their country of birth, on their journey to the UK or through their treatment by adults in the UK.

Speaking on the small boats situation generally, a Home Office spokesperson said: “The number of small boat crossings are shameful and the British people deserve better.

“This Government is taking action. We have removed almost 50,000 people who were here illegally, and our historic deal with the French means those who arrive on small boats are now being sent back.”