Medway Labour and Cooperative Group have condemned the action taken by Medway Conservative Leader, Cllr Alan Jarrett, to challenge his own government’s plans for vulnerable children.  Medway Council took the Conservative government to court in a judicial review.  That challenge has resulted in defeat for Medway Council.  The challenge was against the government’s intention to ensure that Medway Council took its fair share of vulnerable Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children.

Clive Johnson, Medway Labour and Cooperative Group Shadow Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said:

‘Cllr Jarrett’s attempt to evade responsibility for these vulnerable children has quite rightly ended in failure.  Local authorities across the country, particularly in neighbouring Kent, are struggling to resource the support which is desperately needed by these often traumatised children fleeing war and persecution.

‘Cllr Jarrett should have stepped up and made sure that his council took its responsibilities seriously.  Medway Council, instead of spending council taxpayers’ money on its failed challenge, should have used that money to better effect.

‘Medway Labour has consistently challenged this course of action by Cllr Jarrett over the past months.  In November 2022, I asked Cllr Jarrett to inform Medway residents how much had been spent on the challenge.  At that stage the cost was £17,000 as a likely total but I will be pressing the council for a final sum as I suspect it will have grown considerably since then and will now include costs.

‘Cllr Jarrett has explained his challenge is the result of Medway Council’s Children’s Services being inadequate and, therefore, not having the capacity to support these children.  That is a shameful.  However, it displays all too clearly the tone of this failing administration.’

For further information: Clive Johnson clive.johnson@medway.gov.uk 07802872592