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Another nail goes into the coffin of the Rwanda scheme as migrants given key update

2024-07-19 00:00:00.0 每日快报-政治原网页

A (Image: Getty)

Thousands of migrants shortlisted for deportation flights to Rwanda have been told they can now claim asylum in the UK.

New Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has concluded as many as 8,500 asylum seekers identified as being suitable for a removal flight to Kigali will now have their cases processed.

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A spokesperson for Home Secretary Yvette Cooper told the Daily Express: "These people are already in the asylum system and were never going to be sent to Rwanda.

"Keeping them in the asylum system for the last two years regardless of the validity of their claims, many in paid accommodation, has already cost the taxpayer tens of millions of pounds.

“That is in addition to the extortionate waste on the MEDP and on these legal costs.

“We have been clear that we will clear the Tories' chaotic asylum backlog, reducing hotel use and ensuring those with no right to stay are actually removed back to their home country."

Alex Goodman KC, representing one of the asylum seekers on Friday, previously told the court in written submissions that the so-called "pause" policy applied to "many thousands" of claims for asylum.

The hearing was told one of the asylum seekers had agreed to settle their claim through a court order, which could then be applied to several others who were also taking legal action.

The judge, Mrs Justice Collins Rice, said it was "hugely desirable for everyone to settle on the same terms" and said she hoped for other legal cases to be "dealt with by the end of next week".

While in government, the Tories had pledged a "regular rhythm of flights every month" to Rwanda in their election offering, with the High Court previously told the first flight had been planned for July 24.

The plan, which was hit with several legal challenges, would have enabled the government to send migrants who did not have a right to remain in the country to Rwanda if they had "arrived in the UK through an illegal and dangerous route" since 2022.

No-one was involuntarily deported under the scheme, with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer describing the MEDP as "dead and buried before it started".

The MEDP will only formally end three months after one government informs the other in writing.

Dr Doris Uwicyeza Picard, from the Rwandan ministry of justice, said the east African nation is under “no obligation to provide any refund” after ramping up capacity to accommodate “thousands of migrants”.

The UK has given Rwanda around ￡290 million but no migrant has been ordered onto a deportation flight.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer declared the scheme “dead and buried before it started”, insisting it had “never been a deterrent” to those hoping to cross the Channel.

But Dr Uwicyeza Picard, in a thinly veiled barb aimed at Sir Keir, said: “Rwanda has maintained its side of the agreement and we have ramped up capacity to accommodate thousands of migrants and asylum seekers. We have upheld our end of the deal.

“We have put a lot of effort and resources to accommodate those migrants.

“We understand that changes in government happen and incoming governments have different priorities and different policies. However, this was a state to state agreement and we believe this good faith will remain.”

Scrapping the scheme will save taxpayers ￡100 million, the Government has claimed.

Dr Uwicyeza Picard added to the BBC World Service: “We are under no obligation to provide any refund. We will remain in constant discussions. However, it is understood that there is no obligation on either side to request or receive a refund.”

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