Yarl's Wood's family unit to close

He announced the move during Prime Minister’s Questions, saying it was part of the government’s steps to end the detention of child asylum seekers.

Responding to a question from fellow Liberal Democrat Julian Huppert, Clegg said: "It is simply a moral outrage that last year the Labour government imprisoned, behind bars, 1,000 children who were innocent of any wrongdoing whatsoever.

"I can confirm that this government will come forward shortly with an announcement of how we can deliver on our pledge to end child detention and to close Yarl’s Wood detention centre for good."

The controversial centre has been criticised by children’s rights groups, and practices at the centre have also been condemned by Dame Anne Owers, the chief inspector of prisons.

A spokesman for The Children's Society said: "The Children's Society and Bail for Immigration Detainees — which are united under the OutCry! campaign — are delighted that the new government has pledged to close the family unit at Yarl’s Wood detention centre as part of its commitment to ending child detention in immigration centres.
 
"The OutCry! campaign has repeatedly condemned the unnecessary practice of immigration detention of children, which seriously harms children’s physical and mental health. We believe that locking up children who have committed no crime, for months at a time, is unacceptable in Britain in the 21st century. This commitment is a huge step in the right direction."

Children's commissioner for England Maggie Atkinson said: "I am absolutely delighted that the coalition government has followed through on its commitment to end the detention of children for immigration purposes. The closure of the family unit at Yarl's Wood will mean children in the asylum system will no longer be subject to 'prison-like' conditions.

"We have worked long and hard to stop this kind of detention because of the detrimental impact it has on children's mental health and physical well-being. We are working with the government to establish suitable alternatives to detaining families in this way. Today's move is one step closer to achieving a fairer asylum and immigration system."