Downing Street Urges Peers to Collaborate with Government on Rwanda Bill After Success in Commons
MPs rejected 10 amendments proposed by peers that significantly diluted the bill. Despite this, the Lords may attempt to make additional changes on Wednesday.
Downing Street has urged peers to collaborate with the government ahead of a potential new battle over the deportation of illegal immigrants to Rwanda.
The government achieved success on Monday when MPs dismissed all 10 amendments added by the Lords to the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill. However, if the Lords push for further modifications on Wednesday, the bill’s progress could be delayed until after the Easter break, impacting Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s goal to initiate deportation flights in the spring.
A spokesperson for Mr. Sunak emphasized the necessity of taking action to combat people smuggling and protect vulnerable individuals from risky Channel crossings. The government believes that peers should cooperate this week to pass the bill.
Earlier in the month, the Lords introduced 10 amendments to the bill that significantly weakened its provisions, some of which passed with large margins of around 100 votes. The ping-pong stage has begun, where both houses of Parliament make final adjustments to the bill, with MPs overturning all Lords’ proposals on Monday.
If the Lords insist on reinstating their amendments, the bill will go back and forth between the Commons and the Lords until an agreement is reached, potentially leading to delays beyond the Easter break.
In Monday’s debate, Home Office minister Michael Tomlinson defended the government’s position on the bill and refuted the Lords’ amendments, emphasizing that the proposed changes would result in lengthy legal challenges and impediments to deportation efforts. Conservative MP Sir William Cash criticized one of the amendments for potentially undermining parliamentary sovereignty.
Labour supported the Lords’ amendments, with Shadow Home Office minister Stephen Kinnock arguing that the changes were necessary to align the bill with promises made by ministers. SNP’s Alison Thewliss criticized the bill as a distraction and not representative of Scottish values.
Despite potential delays, Prime Minister Sunak remains committed to launching deportation flights to Rwanda as a deterrent against illegal migration.
PA Media contributed to this report.
