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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 16 hours later)
Some asylum seekers who arrive in the UK are to be removed and flown to Rwanda. A flight that was due to take asylum seekers from the UK to Rwanda was cancelled minutes before take-off following a late legal challenge.
The government says its scheme will discourage others from crossing the English Channel. The UK government says it will arrange another flight to the African country, and insists the scheme will discourage people from crossing the English Channel.
What is the Rwanda asylum plan?What is the Rwanda asylum plan?
The five-year trial will send some refugees to Rwanda, to claim asylum there instead. The five-year trial will send some refugees to Rwanda, to claim asylum there.
They may be granted permanent refugee status to stay in Rwanda. If that fails they can apply to settle there on other grounds, or for asylum in a "safe third country". They may be granted permanent refugee status to stay in Rwanda. If not, they can apply to settle there on other grounds, or seek asylum in a "safe third country".
The policy is aimed mostly at single, young people who arrive through what the government calls "illegal, dangerous or unnecessary methods", such as on small boats or hidden in lorries. The policy is aimed mostly at single, young people who arrive in the UK through what the government calls "illegal, dangerous or unnecessary methods", such as on small boats or hidden in lorries.
How many people could be sent to Rwanda?How many people could be sent to Rwanda?
"Anyone entering the UK illegally" after 1 January could be sent, with no limit on numbers, UK prime minister Boris Johnson said."Anyone entering the UK illegally" after 1 January could be sent, with no limit on numbers, UK prime minister Boris Johnson said.
Originally 37 people were due to be sent on Tuesday, but human rights legal challenges have reduced reduced that number to about seven. Originally 37 people were due to be on the Tuesday flight, but legal challenges had already reduced that number to about seven before it was cancelled.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss insisted the flight will take off, even if only a few people leave. Under the deal, Rwanda can also ask the UK to take in some of its most vulnerable refugees. Rwanda says this will only be a few "outlier" cases.
The deal also allows Rwanda to ask the UK to take in some of its most vulnerable refugees. Rwanda says this will only be a few "outlier" cases.
What are the legal challenges?What are the legal challenges?
Charities and lawyers representing asylum seekers have taken legal action. Charities and lawyers representing asylum seekers had launched a series of legal challenges against the policy.
Asylum Aid says the process to remove asylum seekers doesn't allow them enough time to appeal for the right to stay in the UK. Critics questioned whether Rwanda is a safe destination, and argue that the scheme breaks the European Convention on Human Rights.
Other groups have questioned whether Rwanda is a safe destination, and argue that the policy breaks the European Convention on Human Rights. As a result, some individuals had already been removed from the flight. But a final attempt to block it altogether was rejected by the Court of Appeal on Monday and upheld by the Supreme Court on Tuesday.
PM defends Rwanda asylum plan as legal bids fail However the flight was halted after a late intervention from the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). This isn't an EU body but is part of the Council of Europe, which still counts the UK as a member.
The prime minister said the government had expected "very active lawyers" to challenge the policy, but said it was important to "stop criminal gangs" trafficking people. It ruled that an Iraqi man known as KN faced "a real risk of irreversible harm" if he was sent to Rwanda.
The Supreme Court is due to hold a judicial review into the policy in July. If it says it is unlawful, asylum seekers sent to Rwanda could return to the UK. The judgment triggered further legal challenges, and all passengers were eventually removed.
An opinion poll carried out on Monday suggests the British public are split over sending asylum seekers to Rwanda. Home Secretary Priti Patel said she was "disappointed", but added, "preparation for the next flight begins now".
The Supreme Court is due to hold a judicial review into the policy in July. If it says it is unlawful, any sylum seekers sent to Rwanda could be returned.
An opinion poll carried out on Monday suggests the the scheme is divisive.
Of the 2,463 people surveyed, 44% backed the policy - including 27% who "strongly" supported it. Meanwhile, 40% were against it, including 28% who were "strongly" opposed.Of the 2,463 people surveyed, 44% backed the policy - including 27% who "strongly" supported it. Meanwhile, 40% were against it, including 28% who were "strongly" opposed.
Where does Rwanda flight setback leave ministers?
How much will it cost?How much will it cost?
The government says the asylum system costs £1.5bn a year, with more than £4.7m a day spent on hotels to accommodate homeless migrants.The government says the asylum system costs £1.5bn a year, with more than £4.7m a day spent on hotels to accommodate homeless migrants.
Home Office Minister Tom Pursglove said a £120m upfront payment would be followed by further payments to Rwanda as it handles more cases. Home Office Minister Tom Pursglove said a £120m upfront payment to Rwanda would be followed by further payments as the country handled more 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".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".
However, shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper has argued that the total cost will be "substantially higher".However, shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper has argued that the total cost will be "substantially higher".
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.
Liz Truss declined to say how much the Tuesday flight would cost. However, removing people from the UK by charter flight cost more than £13,000 per person in 2020. Liz Truss declined to confirm what the Tuesday flight would cost. However, removing people from the UK by charter flight cost more than £13,000 per person in 2020.
What is life like in Rwanda? What's life like in Rwanda?
Reports say Rwanda has adapted basic hostels near the capital Kigali to house migrants from the UK.Reports say Rwanda has adapted basic hostels near the capital Kigali to house migrants from the UK.
Rwanda's government says it is ready to handle 1,000 asylum seekers from the UK during the trial, but has capacity for many more.Rwanda's government says it is ready to handle 1,000 asylum seekers from the UK during the trial, but has capacity for many more.
Government spokesperson Yolande Makolo said: "We want Rwanda to be a welcoming place and we will do our best to make sure that the migrants are taken care of, and that they are able to build their lives here."Government spokesperson Yolande Makolo said: "We want Rwanda to be a welcoming place and we will do our best to make sure that the migrants are taken care of, and that they are able to build their lives here."
Rwanda is already home to around 150,000 refugees from other African countries, including neighbouring Burundi and DR Congo. It also hosts migrants who tried to cross the Mediterranean to Europe via Libya.Rwanda is already home to around 150,000 refugees from other African countries, including neighbouring Burundi and DR Congo. 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.
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
Is the scheme stopping people from crossing?Is the scheme stopping people from crossing?
The Rwanda policy was first announced by the UK government on 14 April.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.Between 18 April and 5 June, 3,599 asylum seekers are known to have arrived in small boats.
Although this is less than the 4,554 people who arrived between April and June 2021, the total is likely to increase when figures for the whole April to June period become available.Although this is less than the 4,554 people who arrived between April and June 2021, the total is likely to increase when figures for the whole April to June period 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.
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, according to 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, according to the Home Office.
Why do migrants leave France for the UK?Why do migrants leave France for the UK?