Labour government decides to abandon the Rwanda Plan and remain committed to the ECHR for handling immigration issues
Labour has positioned itself as the party capable of controlling immigration after 14 years of Tory ‘chaos,’ according to Sir Keir Starmer.
If elected, a Labour government would eliminate the Rwanda plan, establish a Border Security Command to combat people smuggling, and commit to remaining part of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
These promises precede the July 4 General Election, where immigration has become a central issue for many parties.
The Conservatives have overseen a surge in legal immigration and over 125,000 illegal entries via the English Channel in the past six years. In response, the government has implemented laws, policies, and international agreements to regain control of the borders. They believe their systems will be effective.
Abandoning the Rwanda Plan
Sir Keir Starmer revealed in the manifesto that a Labour government would establish ‘strong’ and ‘secure’ borders by scrapping the unworkable Rwanda plan imposed by the Conservatives. This plan has led to a backlog of asylum seekers, costing taxpayers millions per week with minimal impact on addressing the issue.
The Rwanda scheme faced criticism from the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee due to its lack of a credible plan and significant expenditure with minimal results.
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Prime Minister Rishi Sunak prioritized halting illegal boat crossings during his tenure. The Safety of Rwanda Act, passed in April, and the Illegal Migration Act form part of the Rwanda plan, whereby illegal arrivals are sent to Rwanda.
New Border Security Command
Labour’s primary strategy to replace the Rwanda plan and address illegal migration is the establishment of the Border Security Command, a plan unveiled in May.
This multi-agency unit, involving new investigators, intelligence personnel, and cross-border officers, will have counter-terrorism powers to combat criminal smuggling gangs involved in the crisis.
Labour plans to fund this agency by terminating the Migration and Economic Development Partnership linked to the Rwanda plan, which offers support to Rwanda through investments and aid in exchange for hosting relocated individuals.
The Border Security Command would establish a new security agreement with the EU to facilitate real-time intelligence sharing and joint investigations to tackle criminal cross-border activities.
‘Reduce’ Net Migration
Despite a recent 10 percent decrease in net migration, the Conservatives touted it as a success in limiting legal immigration.
Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper argued that the figures were still too high, reflecting a failure on the part of the Tories to reduce migration as promised.
In contrast, Labour vowed to ‘reduce net migration,’ without specifying targets or implementation details.
As part of their plan, the Conservatives proposed a binding, legal cap on immigration to decrease each year, subject to annual parliamentary approval to ensure controlled immigration.
Labour’s immigration management will be linked to skills policies, focusing on training and upskilling workers in sectors relying heavily on overseas workers.
Backing the ECHR
The last government faced obstacles in deporting illegal immigrants to Rwanda due to interventions from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
Labour affirms its commitment to the ECHR, ensuring that Britain remains a member of the European Convention on Human Rights.
