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What is the UK's plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda? What is the UK's plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda and how many could go?
(about 2 hours later)
Rishi Sunak said he was determined that the latest part of the flagship bill would pass parliament later, "no ifs, no buts"Rishi Sunak said he was determined that the latest part of the flagship bill would pass parliament later, "no ifs, no buts"
The UK government wants to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda. It has passed new legislation to allow the scheme to go ahead. The UK government has passed legislation which will let it send some asylum seekers to Rwanda.
The Rwanda bill was introduced to allow the scheme to go ahead, after the Supreme Court ruled it was unlawful.
What is the Rwanda asylum plan?What is the Rwanda asylum plan?
Some asylum seekers arriving in the UK would be sent to Rwanda, to have their claims processed there, under a five-year agreement. Under the scheme, the government says any asylum seeker entering the UK "illegally" after 1 January 2022 could be sent to Rwanda, to have their claims processed there.
If successful, they could be granted refugee status and allowed to stay. If not, they could apply to settle in Rwanda on other grounds, or seek asylum in another "safe third country". If successful, they could be granted refugee status and allowed to stay in the landlocked east-central African country.
If not, they could apply to settle in Rwanda on other grounds, or seek asylum in another "safe third country".
No asylum seeker would be able to apply to return to the UK.No asylum seeker would be able to apply to return to the UK.
Ministers have argued the plan would deter people from arriving in the UK on small boats across the English Channel. Ministers say the plan will deter people from arriving in the UK on small boats across the English Channel.
How many asylum seekers could the UK send to Rwanda? How many asylum seekers could be sent to Rwanda and when could the first flights leave?
Under the policy, anyone "entering the UK illegally" after 1 January 2022 could be sent to Rwanda - a small landlocked country in central Africa - with no limit on numbers. There is no limit on the number of asylum seekers who could be sent to Rwanda.
The first flight was scheduled to go in June 2022, but was cancelled after legal challenges. No asylum seeker has yet been sent to Rwanda. According to BBC Home and legal correspondent Dominic Casciani, there are currently 52,000 people who could be transported there.
During a press conference on 22 April, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: "The first flight carrying asylum seekers to Rwanda will leave in 10-12 weeks." But that is a delay to his previous deadline of spring. The first flight to Rwanda was scheduled for June 2022, but was cancelled after legal challenges.
Legal challenges meant the first Rwanda flight was cancelled shortly before take-off in June 2022 Speaking on 22 April, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the first flight would leave in 10-12 weeks. This is later than the government's previous spring deadline.
Mr Sunak declined to give details of how many people would be on the planes, but said there would be "multiple flights a month through the summer and beyond". Mr Sunak did not confirm how many people would be on board, but said there would be "multiple flights a month through the summer and beyond".
The PM also said the government had "put an airfield on standby" and had booked commercial charter planes.The PM also said the government had "put an airfield on standby" and had booked commercial charter planes.
He said the number of detention spaces for people it was preparing to remove had been increased to 2,200 and that "200 trained, dedicated caseworkers" were available to process cases quickly. Legal challenges meant the first Rwanda flight was cancelled shortly before take-off in June 2022
Mr Sunak said 25 courtrooms and 150 judges were available to deal with any legal cases. He said the number of detention spaces for people the government was preparing to remove had been increased to 2,200 and that "200 trained, dedicated caseworkers" were available to process cases quickly.
The prime minister added that there are "500 highly trained individuals ready to escort illegal migrants all the way to Rwanda", with a further 300 to be trained. Mr Sunak said that 25 courtrooms and 150 judges were available to deal with any legal cases, and there were "500 highly trained individuals ready to escort illegal migrants all the way to Rwanda", with a further 300 to be trained.
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What was the Supreme Court ruling and is Rwanda safe? What does the Rwanda bill do?
After the Supreme Court ruled that the scheme was unlawful, the government introduced a bill to make clear in UK law that Rwanda is a safe country.
The legislation - which was finally approved by both Houses of Parliament on 22 April after intense political wrangling - orders the courts to ignore key sections of the Human Rights Act.
It also compels the courts to disregard other British laws or international rules - such as the international Refugee Convention - which would block deportations to Rwanda.
The UK government also signed a new migration treaty with Rwanda, which Home Secretary James Cleverley said guarantees that anyone sent to Rwanda would not risk being returned to their home country.
The Rwanda bill was fiercely criticised by opposition parties in the House of Commons and the House of Lords, and by many charities representing asylum seekers.
Charities have said they would launch further legal challenges "as quickly as possible" after the bill passed
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Is Rwanda safe and what was the Supreme Court ruling?
In November 2023, the UK Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the Rwanda scheme was unlawful.In November 2023, the UK Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the Rwanda scheme was unlawful.
It said genuine refugees would be at risk of being returned to their home countries, where they could face harm.It said genuine refugees would be at risk of being returned to their home countries, where they could face harm.
This breaches the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which prohibits torture and inhuman treatment. The UK is a signatory to the ECHR.This breaches the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which prohibits torture and inhuman treatment. The UK is a signatory to the ECHR.
The ruling also cited concerns about Rwanda's poor human-rights record, and its past treatment of refugees.The ruling also cited concerns about Rwanda's poor human-rights record, and its past treatment of refugees.
Judges said that in 2021, the UK government had itself criticised Rwanda over "extrajudicial killings, deaths in custody, enforced disappearances and torture".Judges said that in 2021, the UK government had itself criticised Rwanda over "extrajudicial killings, deaths in custody, enforced disappearances and torture".
They also highlighted a 2018 incident, when Rwandan police opened fire on protesting refugees, killing at least 11.They also highlighted a 2018 incident, when Rwandan police opened fire on protesting refugees, killing at least 11.
How the UK's asylum deal is viewed in RwandaHow the UK's asylum deal is viewed in Rwanda
Land of safety - or fear? Why Rwanda divides opinionLand of safety - or fear? Why Rwanda divides opinion
What is in the Rwanda bill?
After the Supreme Court ruling, the government introduced a bill to make clear in UK law that Rwanda is a safe country.
The legislation - which was approved by both Houses of Parliament on 22 April - orders the courts to ignore key sections of the Human Rights Act, in an attempt to sidestep the Supreme Court's judgement.
It also compels the courts to disregard other British laws or international rules - such as the international Refugee Convention - which stand in the way of deportations to Rwanda.
Some MPs criticised the legislation because they believe it breaks international law. Others argue it does not go far enough.
Charities supporting asylum seekers have said they plan to launch legal challenges "as quickly as possible".
What does the new treaty with Rwanda say?
The UK government also signed a new migration treaty with Rwanda.
Home Secretary James Cleverley said it guarantees that anyone sent to Rwanda would not be at risk of being returned to their home country.
The treaty says that a new independent monitoring committee will ensure Rwanda complies with its obligations, and that British judges will be included in a new appeals process.
What will the Rwanda plan cost?What will the Rwanda plan cost?
The UK government had paid £240m to Rwanda by the end of 2023.The UK government had paid £240m to Rwanda by the end of 2023.
However, the total payment will be at least £370m over five years, according to the National Audit Office .However, the total payment will be at least £370m over five years, according to the National Audit Office .
If more than 300 people are sent to Rwanda, the UK would pay a one-off sum of £120m to help boost the country's economy, with further payments of £20,000 per individual relocated.If more than 300 people are sent to Rwanda, the UK would pay a one-off sum of £120m to help boost the country's economy, with further payments of £20,000 per individual relocated.
On top of that, up to £150,000 will be paid for each person sent there, the NAO report said.On top of that, up to £150,000 will be paid for each person sent there, the NAO report said.
These figures would not include the cost of payments to anyone to who chooses to go to Rwanda voluntarily.These figures would not include the cost of payments to anyone to who chooses to go to Rwanda voluntarily.
Home Secretary James Cleverly visited Rwanda in December 2023, after the Supreme Court ruling
Previously released official figures suggested that removing each individual to a third country would cost £63,000 more than keeping them in the UK.Previously released official figures suggested that removing each individual to a third country would cost £63,000 more than keeping them in the UK.
Legal challenges meant the first Rwanda flight was cancelled shortly before take-off in June 2022 The prime minister previously claimed that the Rwanda plan would "literally save us billions in the long run", but did not explain the figures.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak claimed that the Rwanda plan would "literally save us billions in the long run", but did not explain the figures.
The UK's asylum system costs nearly £4bn a year, including about £8m a day on hotel accommodation.The UK's asylum system costs nearly £4bn a year, including about £8m a day on hotel accommodation.
Failure to process asylum claims efficiently "has led to unacceptable costs to the taxpayer", a report by MPs said in October 2023.Failure to process asylum claims efficiently "has led to unacceptable costs to the taxpayer", a report by MPs said in October 2023.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame has offered to return money paid by the UK if no asylum seekers were sent.
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