Policy and Politics
Child detention 'will be ended', says new government
Campaigners have welcomed a pledge by the new coalition Government to end the detention of children in immigration centres.
Timescales have yet to be confirmed, but an end to child detention was among agreements on immigration reached by the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.
The pledge was described as 'amazing news' by campaigners.
Camilla Engeset, policy officer at the Children's Society, which is a member of the OutCry! Campaign on immigrants' detention, said, 'It is widely established that detention has a profound negative impact on children's physical and mental health. It is great to see the new Government has recognised this and made such an important step to prioritise the welfare of these children. We do not know any of the details at this stage but we are delighted the Government has made such a positive promise.'
Clare Sambrook, co-ordinator of the End Child Detention Now campaign, said it was a 'stunning victory for children, decency and the Liberal Democrats, if this pledge proves good' - adding, 'that may be a very big if.'
Children's Commissioner Maggie Atkinson said, 'I welcome the commitment to ending the detention of children in the UK for immigration purposes. I'm delighted that this positive action was taken on the new government's first day in office. It's good to see young energy being brought in and determination to work across the previous political divide for the good of children.'
