Gavin Newlands MP challenges the UK Government to keep its promise on immigration detention
Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, has challenged the UK Government to stick by their word and commission a review of immigration detention in Scotland.
In a letter to the Home Affairs Select Committee, the Immigration Minister said: “If the planning application for the new facility (at Glasgow Airport) is rejected the Home Office will conduct a review of its detention needs in Scotland.”
Mr Newlands previously asked a parliamentary question to the Minister for Immigration and has now followed this up with a letter to the Minister for Immigration. Mr Newlands has challenged the UK Government to use this opportunity to abandon its ‘expensive, ineffective and inhumane’ approach towards immigration detention.
Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, said:
“The UK Government’s approach towards immigration detention is not only inhumane and ineffective it is also incredibly expensive. The UK is the only country in Europe which allows vulnerable individuals to be detained for an indefinite period of time and also allows pregnant women and children to be detained in these prison-like environments.
“Renfrewshire rejected the Home Office’s application for a detention centre to be based in our local community and the Minister for Immigration should stick by his promise to commission a review of immigration detention in Scotland.
“The UK Government should use this review as an opportunity to introduce a system which treats people with respect and dignity.”
