Asylum seekers arriving in Kent are dispersed across the UK

Figures were being put before the council cabinet on Monday.

Council leader, Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart, said the authority was also trying to claim asylum costs back from the government dating back to 2000.

The Home Office said it was aware of the authority's concerns. A spokesman said consultation was in progress after which grants would be announced.

'National issue'

The majority of asylum seekers arrive at ports and airports in London and the South East.

Cllr Bruce-Lockhart said he wrote to Home Secretary David Blunkett in February to say asylum was a national issue and Kent's costs must be funded in full.

He said that if cuts had to be made "the view of members of the council is that we can't deliver the services for asylum".

But he added: "Unfortunately, we are of course bound by law to provide them."

Papers being put before cabinet members of Monday say the authority's asylum costs will be �18.6m for unaccompanied minors this year and �7.4m for adults and families.

The report says government ministers had told the council it would be covered by the process of bidding for "special circumstances" but that officers had now found the process was "cash-limited, open to all and with no decision due until autumn 2005".

It adds: "Since 1999, government have accepted that infrastructure costs (overheads) are legitimate to claim; we are now being advised that this is not the case."

Grant announcement

A spokesman for the Home Office said: "We are aware of the council's concerns.

"The National Asylum Support Service (NASS) is in consultation with the local government associations about the grant arrangements for this financial year.

"An announcement of the grant will be made as soon as these consultations are complete. We know that councils require this information to enable them to plan their services and budget for this year and next.

"There are provisions within the grant regime for Special Circumstance payments to be made if a local authority has legitimately incurred costs in addition to the standard rates for housing asylum seekers.

"The 2003/4 Special Circumstances hearings are currently taking place."