Chancellor Rishi Sunak is reportedly taking action regarding the persistent challenge of asylum seekers arriving in the UK through small boats.
It is alleged that Sunak intends to allocate an additional £15 million to secure a treaty with Rwanda in an effort to resolve this matter, as per to Independent.
Controversy Over Rwanda Asylum Funding Increase
This funding comes on top of the £140 million already provided to Rwanda as part of the plan for the East African nation to accept asylum seekers deported from the UK.
The move follows the Supreme Court's ruling that the previous plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda was unlawful, prompting the government to seek alternative solutions. Home Secretary James Cleverly aims to unveil a new Rwanda treaty in the coming days.
Downing Street defended the decision to provide additional funding, stating that it represents value for money in the long run compared to the daily cost of housing small boat arrivals in hotels, which amounts to £8 million per day.
The situation has sparked debate and controversy, with some expecting legal and political challenges. According to sources, Chancellor Sunak is prepared to call a snap election if obstacles continue to impede progress on the issue.
Former Home Secretary Lord Howard supported Sunak's commitment to the Rwanda plan, emphasizing its importance in addressing the asylum seeker challenge.
Chancellor Sunak, while en route to the COP28 climate summit in Dubai, asserted that getting the Rwanda plan right will lead to substantial long-term savings, although specific details were not provided. He expressed confidence that the revised plan complies with international obligations.
The plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda is a central component of Sunak's efforts to deter small boat crossings across the English Channel. Critics argue that the high daily cost of housing asylum seekers in hotels is due to lengthy application processes and restrictions on employment while awaiting status confirmation, according to The Sun.
Conservative MPs Split on Human Rights, Asylum
The issue has divided Conservative MPs, with some advocating for tough legislation that includes clauses preventing judges from applying protections in the Human Rights Act and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) to asylum cases. Others have called for the UK's withdrawal from the ECHR altogether.
However, more than 20 Conservative MPs, including former senior cabinet minister Damian Green, have urged Sunak not to abandon the UK's human rights commitments. They emphasize the importance of defending the rule of law and upholding international obligations.
Government lawyers have cautioned against instructing courts to ignore the ECHR, as it could open up legal challenges to deportation flights based on breaches of convention obligations.
In response to these challenges, Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressed his determination to address the issue and stated that he won't allow a foreign court to block deportation flights.
He emphasized that the government and the country are united in their position on this matter and underscored the need to find a solution to the ongoing asylum seeker situation.
Sunak remains committed to implementing the Rwanda scheme as part of a comprehensive approach to resolving the small boat crossings issue, BBC reported.
