Border Agency suspends asylum X-ray pilot

Date: 7th May 2012
Category: Refugee , migrant and asylum-seeking children

The United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA) has halted plans to pilot a scheme to use dental X-rays to determine the age of children seeking asylum where this is disputed, after it emerged that ethical approval should have been sought.

The four UK children's commissioners previously slammed the scheme on the grounds that it risks exposing children to harmful radiation.

And although the UKBA says it would not be compulsory, the children's commissioners say children may be unable to give informed consent to take part.

• Read the full article here.