Secretary of State welcomes an end to the overnight detention of children in Dungavel
The UK Government's decision to end the overnight detention of children in Dungavel is an initial signal of how the new politics will work to make Scotland a better place, the Secretary of State for Scotland said today (Wednesday 19 May).
The UK Government’s decision to end the overnight detention of children in Dungavel is an initial signal of how the new politics will work to make Scotland a better place, the Secretary of State for Scotland said today (Wednesday 19 May).
Danny Alexander confirmed the detention of children overnight in Dungavel will end with immediate effect.
There have been numerous and sustained calls for the practice to be abolished over the years and today’s announcement shows the UK Government’s commitment to both listening and acting quickly to create a fairer immigration system.
The Secretary of State said:
“We said from the outset that our new government wanted to roll up its sleeves and get straight to the hard work of addressing the many challenges and issues we face.
“The overnight detention of children at Dungavel has now ended. We moved quickly as a government and I thank the Home Secretary for the attention she, her department and the UK Border Agency gave this issue after I raised it with her in the margins of our Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. I think it sends a very clear sign of the pragmatic way we intend to conduct ourselves as a government in Scotland.
“The UK Immigration Minister Damian Green has also announced a review, to be completed over the next few weeks, of the alternatives to detention for failed asylum seeking families across the UK.”