Home Office backs down over travel costs for Eritrean refugee sitting GCSEs

Eighteen-year-old orphan to receive 300 for transport costs to site of exams after case brought to court

The Home Office has backed down part way through a high court hearing after an orphaned teenage asylum seeker from Eritrea feared she would be unable to sit her GCSE exams next week due to not being accommodated close to her college.

During Tuesday's hearing the department agreed to pay for travel until her exams finish next month - a sum of about 300. The ongoing court proceedings are likely to have already cost many thousands of pounds. Officials also guaranteed her a bedroom to herself so she can study in peace and quiet.