The UK government has decided to sign the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in full.

For the past 17 years, the UK has retained an opt-out allowing child migrants and asylum seekers to be locked up without judicial scrutiny.

This change will force the UK Border Agency to put migrant children's welfare first in deciding whether to detain or deport them.

Further information on the Convention can be found in the UNCRC section of this website.