Committee Finds Lack of Credible Plan for Sending Illegal Immigrants to Rwanda
The Public Accounts Committee indicated that despite the Home Office investing millions in its asylum plan, there are scant results to show for the money spent so far.
The committee criticized the Home Office for lacking a credible plan to send illegal immigrants to Rwanda.
The PAC, a bipartisan committee responsible for scrutinizing the value for money in government projects, expressed concerns over the Home Office’s inability to provide clear operational plans, such as details on the whereabouts of individuals subject to deportation, escort arrangements to Rwanda, and estimated transport costs.
The report stated, “We have doubts about the Home Office’s capacity to implement the Rwanda partnership effectively, given its past performance in delivering major programs.”
£240 Million Allocated to Rwandan Government
The Safety of Rwanda Bill, a crucial component of the government’s Rwanda initiative, received Royal Assent in April 2024.
The plan has been in motion since April 2022, when the government first announced the partnership with Rwanda and pledged substantial payments to Kigali for its involvement in the agreement.
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As of March 2024, the UK had channeled £240 million to the Economic Transformation and Integration Fund to support economic development in Rwanda, along with expenses for asylum processing and relocation costs to Rwanda.
Yet, despite this significant funding allocated for deporting illegal immigrants, no relocations have been carried out in the UK yet, as highlighted in the PAC report.
Depending on the number of people relocated, the UK might incur additional costs potentially running into “billions more.”
Shortages in Accommodation Provisions
The PAC acknowledged progress in transitioning illegal immigrants from hotels, but criticized the Home Office for underestimating accommodation requirements in larger facilities, risking wastage of taxpayer money.
The report pointed out that the new facilities would fall short of initial expectations, exacerbating existing housing challenges.
Some alternative accommodation options included former military sites such as RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, a controversial choice due to its historical significance and impact on local regeneration efforts.
The PAC observed that both RAF Scampton and RAF Wethersfield in Essex would accommodate fewer people than anticipated, suggesting increased costs per person at each site. The report noted that the initial setup estimates of £5 million for each base surged to £49 million at Wethersfield and £27 million at Scampton.
Labour Criticizes Report
Home Secretary James Cleverly refrained from commenting on the report but emphasized the escalating costs of housing illegal immigrants, projecting a potential £11 billion annual expense by 2026 and underscoring the importance of the Rwanda scheme to address this issue.
Mr. Cleverly asserted, “People will only refrain from entering the UK illegally when they understand they won’t be allowed to stay.”
He criticized Labour for lacking a concrete strategy to tackle illegal immigration, warning, “They aim to scrap our Rwanda scheme, granting an amnesty to numerous illegal migrants without legal rights to remain here.”
Labour’s shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper condemned the report as “damning,” highlighting the chaos surrounding the Rwanda scheme managed by Rishi Sunak.
Ms. Cooper accused the prime minister of being aware of the flaws in the plan and using the upcoming election to avert its unraveling.
She stated, “He is attempting to deceive voters and squandering millions of taxpayer pounds in the process.”
The Epoch Times reached out to the Home Office for a response.
PA Media contributed to this report.
