This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-61782866

The article has changed 66 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Why are asylum seekers being sent to Rwanda and how many could go? Why are asylum seekers being sent to Rwanda and how many could go?
(about 1 hour later)
Some asylum seekers who arrive in the UK will be sent to Rwanda, under government plans.Some asylum seekers who arrive in the UK will be sent to Rwanda, under government plans.
It says the scheme - which faces legal challenges - will discourage others from crossing the English Channel.It says the scheme - which faces legal challenges - will discourage others from crossing the English Channel.
What is the Rwanda asylum plan?What is the Rwanda asylum plan?
The five-year trial would see some refugees who arrive in the UK sent to Rwanda, to claim asylum there.The five-year trial would see some refugees who arrive in the UK sent to Rwanda, to claim asylum there.
The first are due to be sent on on Tuesday 14 June.The first are due to be sent on on Tuesday 14 June.
It is thought to be aimed mostly at single, young migrants who arrive through "illegal, dangerous or unnecessary methods", such as on small boats or hidden in lorries.It is thought to be aimed mostly at single, young migrants who arrive through "illegal, dangerous or unnecessary methods", such as on small boats or hidden in lorries.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Rwanda would take responsibility for those sent there, with equal access to employment and services.Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Rwanda would take responsibility for those sent there, with equal access to employment and services.
UK to give asylum seekers one-way ticket to RwandaUK to give asylum seekers one-way ticket to Rwanda
How many people could be sent to Rwanda?How many people could be sent to Rwanda?
"Anyone entering the UK illegally" since 1 January could be sent to Rwanda, with no limit on numbers, the prime minister said."Anyone entering the UK illegally" since 1 January could be sent to Rwanda, with no limit on numbers, the prime minister said.
But a Home Office source told the BBC that, of the original 37 people due to be sent on Tuesday, legal challenges about modern slavery and human rights had drastically reduced that number.But a Home Office source told the BBC that, of the original 37 people due to be sent on Tuesday, legal challenges about modern slavery and human rights had drastically reduced that number.
According to the charity Care4Calais, 11 people are now due to fly.According to the charity Care4Calais, 11 people are now due to fly.
What is the legal action?What is the legal action?
Charities and lawyers representing asylum seekers launched legal action against the UK Home Office.Charities and lawyers representing asylum seekers launched legal action against the UK Home Office.
Two cases were being heard on Monday:Two cases were being heard on Monday:
The Court of Appeal rejected a bid to halt the flight, by the Public and Commercial Services Union and the charities Care4Calais and Detention ActionThe Court of Appeal rejected a bid to halt the flight, by the Public and Commercial Services Union and the charities Care4Calais and Detention Action
In the High Court, the charity Asylum Aid has applied for an injunction against the flightIn the High Court, the charity Asylum Aid has applied for an injunction against the flight
Asylum Aid says the procedure to deport asylum seekers is unfair because it does not allow enough time to access legal aid and appeal for the right to stay in the UK.Asylum Aid says the procedure to deport asylum seekers is unfair because it does not allow enough time to access legal aid and appeal for the right to stay in the UK.
Other human rights groups have questioned whether Rwanda is safe for asylum seekers and say the policy breaks the European Convention on Human Rights.Other human rights groups have questioned whether Rwanda is safe for asylum seekers and say the policy breaks the European Convention on Human Rights.
The prime minister said the government had anticipated "very active lawyers" would challenge the policy.The prime minister said the government had anticipated "very active lawyers" would challenge the policy.
He said activists want a "completely open-doors approach to immigration" and it was important to "stop criminal gangs" trafficking people in dangerous boats.He said activists want a "completely open-doors approach to immigration" and it was important to "stop criminal gangs" trafficking people in dangerous boats.
UK's Rwanda asylum plan ungodly, says ArchbishopUK's Rwanda asylum plan ungodly, says Archbishop
What is life like in Rwanda?What is life like in Rwanda?
Rwanda has adapted basic hostels near the capital Kigali to house migrants from the UK.Rwanda has adapted basic hostels near the capital Kigali to house migrants from the UK.
The country is already home to around 150,000 refugees from neighbouring Burundi and DR Congo.The country is already home to around 150,000 refugees from neighbouring Burundi and DR Congo.
It also hosts migrants who tried to cross the Mediterranean to Europe via Libya.It also hosts migrants who tried to cross the Mediterranean to Europe via Libya.
Some refugees work as farm labourers and domestic servants. Most are unemployed, relying on state benefits of about £35 a month.Some refugees work as farm labourers and domestic servants. Most are unemployed, relying on state benefits of about £35 a month.
Rwanda's government says the country has undergone a development "miracle" since 1994, when a genocidal war killed 800,000 people.Rwanda's government says the country has undergone a development "miracle" since 1994, when a genocidal war killed 800,000 people.
National income has risen tenfold since then. Life expectancy has increased sharply since the 1990s and is now 69.National income has risen tenfold since then. Life expectancy has increased sharply since the 1990s and is now 69.
However, about 70% of the country's 13 million people are subsistence farmers, meaning they eat, rather than sell, what they grow.However, about 70% of the country's 13 million people are subsistence farmers, meaning they eat, rather than sell, what they grow.
Land of safety - or fear? Why Rwanda divides opinionLand of safety - or fear? Why Rwanda divides opinion
How much will it cost?How much will it cost?
The UK is investing £120m into the "economic development and growth of Rwanda" as part of the deal. The government says the UK asylum system currently costs £1.5bn a year, with more than £4.7m a day spent on hotels to accommodate homeless migrants.
Home Secretary Priti Patel took personal responsibility to push through the policy after being warned there was not enough evidence to show it gave value for money. It is investing £120m into the "economic development and growth of Rwanda" as part of its plans.
The Home Office said the UK asylum system currently costs £1.5bn a year, with more than £4.7m a day spent on hotels to accommodate homeless migrants. However, shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper has argued that the total cost will be "substantially higher" than this.
After the scheme was announced, Home Office Minister Tom Pursglove said the £120m "payment upfront" would be followed by further contributions to Rwanda as it handles asylum cases.
He said the cost would be "similar to the amount of money we are spending on this currently" and that "longer term, by getting this under control, it should help us to save money".
Comparisons have been made to Australia's offshore processing system, which was estimated to cost $957m (£546m) in 2021-22.Comparisons have been made to Australia's offshore processing system, which was estimated to cost $957m (£546m) in 2021-22.
The cost of removing people from the UK by charter flight was more than £13,000 per person in 2020.The cost of removing people from the UK by charter flight was more than £13,000 per person in 2020.
How many migrants cross the Channel and who are they? Is the scheme stopping people from crossing?
There were 2,871 arrivals in May 2022, compared with 1,619 in the same month last year. The Rwanda policy was first announced by the UK government on 14 April.
Between 18 April and 5 June, 3,599 asylum seekers are known to have arrived in small boats, according to figures published by the Ministry of Defence.
Although this is less than the 4,554 people who arrived in April and June of last year, the total is likely to increase when figures for the same period this year become available.
In the whole of 2021, 28,526 people are known to have crossed in small boats - up from 8,404 in 2020. The total figure this year is set to be much higher than last year, according to Border Force union officials.In the whole of 2021, 28,526 people are known to have crossed in small boats - up from 8,404 in 2020. The total figure this year is set to be much higher than last year, according to Border Force union officials.
Why do migrants leave France for the UK?Why do migrants leave France for the UK?
In 2021, 75% of arrivals were men aged 18 to 39. About 5% were men aged over 40, 7% were women over 18, and 12% were children under 18 (of whom three-quarters were male).In 2021, 75% of arrivals were men aged 18 to 39. About 5% were men aged over 40, 7% were women over 18, and 12% were children under 18 (of whom three-quarters were male).
Previously, Iranians made up the vast majority of arrivals - 80% in 2018, and 66% in 2019.Previously, Iranians made up the vast majority of arrivals - 80% in 2018, and 66% in 2019.
Recently, there has been a greater mix of nationalities making the crossing. Iranians made up 30% of small boat arrivals last year, while 21% were Iraqis, 11% Eritreans and 9% Syrians, says the Home Office.Recently, there has been a greater mix of nationalities making the crossing. Iranians made up 30% of small boat arrivals last year, while 21% were Iraqis, 11% Eritreans and 9% Syrians, says the Home Office.