The damaging and cruel policy of indefinite detention must be brought to an immediate end, Amnesty International said today as a bill that calls time on the indefinite detention of people under immigration powers was brought to Parliament.

If passed, Tulip Siddiq’s Ten Minute Rule Bill would impose a statutory time limit of 28 days on detention for immigration purposes.

Responding to the bill, Kate Allen, Amnesty International UK's Director, said:

“This bill demonstrates growing support across parties to end cruel and damaging indefinite detention.

“The longer someone is detained for, the more damaging it is. A lack of end date can cause serious harm to the health of not just those detained but also to their loved ones.

“As the Windrush scandal has shown with devastating clarity, there is an urgent need to reform the UK’s inhumane immigration system including to constrain excessive detention powers.

“A time limit would remove the inherently damaging nature of being detained indefinitely. Government ministers must urgently act to end the harm of routine and excessive use of detention in the UK.”