Senior members of Hillingdon Council met Health Minister John Hutton in central London on Monday to discuss the care of asylum seekers in the borough.

The hour-long meeting at the Department of Health was held to hear how young asylum seekers arriving at Heathrow Airport are looked after by Hillingdon Social Services.

Councillor Richard Barnes, the leader of the administration, said: 'The meeting was very constructive.

'We explained that in some cases young people are in our care for several years and that this will be extended under Government proposals for young people to remain in care until the age of 21, instead of 18 at present.

'The Minister recognised that, at the moment, the cost of care is not fully funded through our annual grant from Government which puts a strain on our Social Services budget.'

At present, Hillingdon cares for 129 unaccompanied children under the age of 16 who have arrived at Heathrow from overseas. The cost to the council is about £2æmillion a year.