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Unaccompanied minors from Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo whose asylum claims have failed could be returned to their home countries under Home Office plans.

The government is already looking at a similar scheme to return children to Albania. This would be the first to go ahead if the policy is implemented but a change in Albania's government has held up the plans.

Unaccompanied minors whose asylum claims have failed are currently granted leave to remain in the UK until they are 18 and are then removed.

The Refugee Children's Consortium, a group of charities including The Children's Society and NCH, is not in principle against the return of unaccompanied minors but argues that the government must ensure they will be adequately cared for in their home countries.