In response to news that the new government has made a commitment to end the detention of children for immigration purposes, Donna Covey, Chief Executive of the Refugee Council said:

“This is very welcome news. We have been campaigning to end this abhorrent policy for years, and are delighted that it is one of the outcomes of the new coalition government. It must be implemented without delay, and in such a way that ensures families are kept together.

“We hope too that the coalition government can reach further agreement on a fairer, more humane and more effective asylum system that has the safety of refugees at its heart.”