House of Lords Asylum StuntKent Labour deplores the latest attempt by the Conservative administration of Kent County Council to use asylum seeking children as political pawns in the run-up to the local elections.The Conservatives are holding a meeting at the House of Lords on 23 April to publicise their claim that Kent and other councils have not been paid the full costs of caring for asylum seeker children.Mike Eddy, Labour Shadow Leader of Kent County Council, says: "The government has already said that it will pay the costs when those costs have been agreed. Paul Carter is just playing party political games by holding this meeting, and very unpleasant games they are."Local councils claim their costs back in arrears and for financial years 2004/05 and 2005/06 Kent received payments of £6.2m over and above the maximum grant rate. KCC's claim for 2006/07 is being dealt with. Financial year 2007/08 has just ended and detailed checking is under way.Mike Eddy adds: "The Conservatives don't seem to understand that public money has to be used carefully. They seem to expect that Government will hand over whatever they demand as soon as they demand it. I will not be joining Mr Carter on his day out to London."
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