Decision to end child detention welcomed

Published on Thursday 16 December 2010 16:46

SCOTTISH ministers have welcomed the UK government's decision to end the detention of child asylum seekers in Yarl's Wood immigration removal centre in Bedfordshire.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg announced yesterday that parents awaiting forced deportation would still be held in secure houses, but their children would be assigned minders so they could move around freely.

He said it would mean the UK had one of the "most child-friendly" immigration systems in the world.

Children in families facing deportation have been taken to the Yarl's Wood centre since the closure of Dungavel in Scotland.

Dungavel was closed after The Scotsman revealed an eight-month-old baby girl was being held there, despite Liberal Democrat claims to have ended the practice, in accordance with a pre-election pledge.

However, Yarl's Wood is considered to be an even worse environment for children, and the Scottish Government has urged Westminster not to send youngsters there.

Yesterday, Mr Clegg's announcement was welcomed at Holyrood.

Education Secretary Mike Russell said: "The Scottish Government welcomes this long overdue move.

"We will continue to do all that we can to make sure the experience of all children, either with family members or unaccompanied, is as positive as it can be and that they are treated with humanity and dignity during the time they spend in Scotland."

However, Anne McLaughlin, SNP MSP for Glasgow, warned: "The UK Borders Agency has made a series of bad decisions in Scotland, from Florence and Precious Mhango to X Factor star Gamu Nhengu and the ending of the housing contract with Glasgow City Council.

"UKBA and the Home Office have repeatedly shown how incapable they are of managing the asylum system and supporting asylum seekers."