This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Treatment of asylum seeking families
27/03/2006
Measures to review and change procedures surrounding the removal of asylum seekers were announced today by the Home Office.
Education and Young People Minister Peter Peacock welcomed the changes which have been made after the First Minister raised a range of issues over concerns about how children are treated in the asylum process.
Mr Peacock said:
"Today significant measures have been announced to address concerns raised in Scotland about the way asylum seekers were being removed.
"The First Minister spoke out about his concerns and made his strong desire on the need for progress on the issues clear. I welcome the announcement today as representing significant progress.
"The fact that these measures will apply to the whole of the UK is also welcome.
"Throughout our discussions with the Home Office our priority has been children's support and to ensure that, when all the appeals have been exhausted and the difficult decision to remove a family comes to be implemented, the children and their friends are treated appropriately.
"The package agreed by the Home Office following our discussions is a significant achievement that will mean children's needs are taken into account earlier and throughout the asylum process and show a determination to improve on current practice and build in safeguards for all who have concerns about the issue.
"The role of the lead professional will be key to the welfare of children as they will feed in vital information about children's health, education or any other considerations that should be taken into account prior to the timing of removal being confirmed.
"The new measures to allow independent inspection, together with a new complaints procedure, will be important in meeting concerns about the removal of children. They will give public reassurance about the service provided to and treatment of children."
Deputy Education and Young People Minister Robert Brown said:
"This agreement is a significant move forward in the way the removal of the families of failed asylum seekers is handled. The Scottish Executive has been able to work effectively with the UK Government to bring about important change. It is vital that the children and young people are treated properly and with respect, and that their education and wellbeing is considered as a priority."
Home Office Minister Tony McNulty unveiled the package of measures during a visit to Glasgow.