In response to Nick Clegg’s comments today that the government is soon to announce the closure of Yarl’s Wood detention centre and deliver on their pledge to end child detention, Donna Covey, Chief Executive of the Refugee Council said:

“We are greatly encouraged by Nick Clegg’s comments today, and that the government has recognised detaining children at Yarl’s Wood is harmful. At the Refugee Council we have campaigned against the abhorrent practice of detaining children for years, so are delighted that the government is now moving closer to abolishing it. We would urge them to end this policy without further delay.

“We have been working with the government to assist with their review into child detention, and hope that they will heed our recommendations to ensure that the welfare of children and families are at the heart of these changes. Many of these people have fled persecution and conflict, and are extremely vulnerable, so it is imperative that families are treated fairly and humanely all the way through the asylum process.”