UN delivers damning verdict on UK children's rights

In its concluding report into the UK’s record on safeguarding children’s rights it highlights concern over continued use of corporal punishment, treatment of asylum seeker and refugee children and juvenile justice.

Among practices in the UK singled out for criticism was the use of taser guns against children.

Measures to combat anti-social behaviour, such as mosquito devices and dispersal zones, were found to restrict children and young people’s freedom of movement and peaceful assembly.

Many of these concerns were highlighted by the four UK Children’s Commissioners, when they presented more than 100 recommendations for change to the UN committee in June.

Speaking on behalf of the four Commissioners, Kathleen Marshall, Scotland's Commissioner for Children and Young People, described this latest report as, an important roadmap that government and devolved administrations can follow to make sure all our children and young people can enjoy better protection and better services which are embodied in a clear set of rights.

She added: Progress has been patchy and there are still too many areas where children do not receive the treatment and services they deserve and indeed have a right to.