This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-66022219
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Cost to remove a migrant £63,000 more than keeping in UK | Cost to remove a migrant £63,000 more than keeping in UK |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| It could cost an estimated £63,000 more to send a migrant to a "safe country" such as Rwanda than to keep them in the UK, the government has said. | It could cost an estimated £63,000 more to send a migrant to a "safe country" such as Rwanda than to keep them in the UK, the government has said. |
| An economic impact assessment of the Illegal Migration Bill, which is going through Parliament, found a gross cost of £169,000 to relocate an individual. | An economic impact assessment of the Illegal Migration Bill, which is going through Parliament, found a gross cost of £169,000 to relocate an individual. |
| But the estimated £106,000 spent on housing support if they remained in the UK would be avoided. | But the estimated £106,000 spent on housing support if they remained in the UK would be avoided. |
| The government said the policy would also have a deterrent effect. | |
| The Home Office assessment said no cost would be incurred if an individual was deterred from entering the UK illegally. | The Home Office assessment said no cost would be incurred if an individual was deterred from entering the UK illegally. |
| However, it said it was "uncertain" what level of deterrence impact the policy would have because the bill was "novel and untested". | However, it said it was "uncertain" what level of deterrence impact the policy would have because the bill was "novel and untested". |
| It also said the potential savings were "highly uncertain" but gave an estimated figure of between £106,000 and £165,000 per individual. The higher figure takes into the account the possibility of housing costs continuing to increase. | It also said the potential savings were "highly uncertain" but gave an estimated figure of between £106,000 and £165,000 per individual. The higher figure takes into the account the possibility of housing costs continuing to increase. |
| How is the UK stopping Channel crossings? | |
| The hurdles in Sunak's race to pass Migration Bill | |
| Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, said the government's "own assessment" acknowledges the policy "is likely to be unworkable". | |
| "There was once something called evidence informed policy making," Mr Solomon told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme. "This is not happening now," he added. | |
| The Refugee Council wants more safe routes created for refugees to reach the UK, to stop small boat crossings. | |
| Conservative MP Craig Mackinlay called the policy an "imperfect tool" but argued it would have a deterrent effect - which would lead to savings. | |
| Mr Mackinlay told Today: "This is a spend to save scheme. | |
| "If you can deter three from coming while paying for two - you're in the exact same position" | |
| Other additional savings beyond accommodation costs include those associated with resettling a migrant in the UK, such as benefits, social housing and healthcare. | |
| The report estimates the policy would need to deter 37% of people from entering the UK illegally for there to be no cost to the taxpayer. | The report estimates the policy would need to deter 37% of people from entering the UK illegally for there to be no cost to the taxpayer. |
| The bill aims to stop people crossing the Channel in small boats by preventing anyone arriving in the UK illegally from claiming asylum. | The bill aims to stop people crossing the Channel in small boats by preventing anyone arriving in the UK illegally from claiming asylum. |
| Instead they would be detained and removed, either to Rwanda or another "safe country". | Instead they would be detained and removed, either to Rwanda or another "safe country". |
| The total estimated cost of relocating an individual to Rwanda or another third country includes a payment to that country of around £105,000 per person, as well as £22,000 for flights and escorting the individual. | The total estimated cost of relocating an individual to Rwanda or another third country includes a payment to that country of around £105,000 per person, as well as £22,000 for flights and escorting the individual. |
| The figure assumes a flight can seat 50 individuals being relocated but flights may depart with fewer people on board. | The figure assumes a flight can seat 50 individuals being relocated but flights may depart with fewer people on board. |
| Other costs include detaining individuals while they are processed. | Other costs include detaining individuals while they are processed. |
| The costs are theoretical estimates rather than the actual cost of the Rwanda agreement, which is commercially sensitive. | The costs are theoretical estimates rather than the actual cost of the Rwanda agreement, which is commercially sensitive. |
| Labour said the impact assessment was "a complete joke" and the government was "totally clueless" about how much the bill would cost. | Labour said the impact assessment was "a complete joke" and the government was "totally clueless" about how much the bill would cost. |
| "The few figures the Home Office has produced show how chaotic and unworkable their plans are," shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said. | "The few figures the Home Office has produced show how chaotic and unworkable their plans are," shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said. |
| She added that "the true cost" may be higher as the government had not costed the possibility of people being held in "indefinite detention". | She added that "the true cost" may be higher as the government had not costed the possibility of people being held in "indefinite detention". |
| Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: "Our impact assessment shows that doing nothing is not an option. | Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: "Our impact assessment shows that doing nothing is not an option. |
| "We cannot allow a system to continue which incentivises people to risk their lives and pay people smugglers to come to this country illegally, while placing an unacceptable strain on the UK taxpayer." | "We cannot allow a system to continue which incentivises people to risk their lives and pay people smugglers to come to this country illegally, while placing an unacceptable strain on the UK taxpayer." |
| On Tuesday, the Women and Equalities Committee published a report calling for children to be exempted from detention or deportation to Rwanda, under the government immigration plans. | |
| The committee's chair, Tory MP Caroline Nokes, a former immigration minister, said: "The risk of harm to children outweighs any perceived damage to the effectiveness of the government's policy agenda." | |
| The UK is spending £6m a day to house asylum seekers in hotels. | The UK is spending £6m a day to house asylum seekers in hotels. |
| Last year more than 45,700 people made the dangerous journey across the Channel in small boats. | Last year more than 45,700 people made the dangerous journey across the Channel in small boats. |
| Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has made stopping the crossings one of his five key priorities, with the bill central to the government's plans to achieve this aim. | Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has made stopping the crossings one of his five key priorities, with the bill central to the government's plans to achieve this aim. |
| Rwanda is currently the only country the UK has a deal with to relocate migrants to but no flights have set off yet. | Rwanda is currently the only country the UK has a deal with to relocate migrants to but no flights have set off yet. |
| The High Court ruled in December 2022 that the scheme is legal, but that decision is facing further challenge in the courts, with a judgement due on Thursday. | The High Court ruled in December 2022 that the scheme is legal, but that decision is facing further challenge in the courts, with a judgement due on Thursday. |
| The Illegal Migration Bill still needs to be approved by the House of Lords, where it has faced significant opposition, and could face further legal challenge if it becomes law. | The Illegal Migration Bill still needs to be approved by the House of Lords, where it has faced significant opposition, and could face further legal challenge if it becomes law. |
| Critics have argued the bill is unworkable and could breach international law. | Critics have argued the bill is unworkable and could breach international law. |
| Sign up for our morning newsletter and get BBC News in your inbox. | Sign up for our morning newsletter and get BBC News in your inbox. |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Home Office | Home Office |
| Immigration | Immigration |
| Rwanda | Rwanda |
| Migration | Migration |