In response to the Prime Minister suggesting that children cannot be exempted from plans to detain people arriving in the UK in small boats, Daniela Reale, Global Policy and Advocacy lead at Save the Children said:

"The government’s position on detaining children shows a shocking disregard for the wellbeing of the children themselves. They have a moral and legal duty to put the best interests of children first. Yet placing them in immigration detention is incredibly traumatic for children and causes psychological and developmental harm.

"The UK government urgently needs to change course and put children at the heart of migration and refugee policy that is practical, compassionate and respects international law."

ENDS