Think Tank Estimates that Rwanda Policy Could Result in £3.9 Billion in Losses for Britain
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak remains committed to advancing his contentious Rwanda policy, despite warnings from a think tank that it could result in substantial financial losses.
The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has projected that the government’s strategy of deporting illegal immigrants who cross the English Channel to Rwanda could ultimately amount to £3.9 billion.
Established in 1988 by Labour peers Clive Hollick and John Eatwell, the IPPR anticipates a cost of up to £228,000 per person relocated to Rwanda under the plan.
Sunak has vowed to shepherd the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill through Parliament, with plans to initiate flights to the African nation before the forthcoming general election.
If Labour wins the election, slated to occur before January 2025, they have promised to revoke the policy.
According to a report titled “Costing the Rwanda Plan,” published by the IPPR, the expenses to fully execute the policy could range between £1.1 billion and £3.9 billion.
‘Exceptionally Poor Value for Money’
The author of the report mentioned that the lower estimate assumes all asylum seekers depart Rwanda promptly upon arrival, while the higher projection presupposes their residency in the country for a minimum of five years.
Marley Morris, the IPPR associate director for migration, trade, and communities, criticized the Rwanda scheme as “exceptionally poor value for money.”
“For it to be financially viable, it must demonstrate a significant deterrent effect, which lacks substantial evidence,” Morris added.
He emphasized, “Under the government’s proposal, billions could be allocated to Rwanda for the removal of individuals who have illegally entered since the enactment of the Illegal Migration Act.”
“The primary beneficiary of this initiative appears to be the Rwandan government itself, which has already secured substantial funds with minimal effort,” Morris stated.
As part of the agreement with Rwanda, the UK is obligated to pay an initial fixed cost of £370 million, followed by an additional £120 million once 300 people are relocated, along with £20,000 per relocated individual from the Economic Transformation and Integration Fund.
The IPPR indicated that the Rwanda policy would only be economically sustainable if at least 77 percent of illegal immigrants were deterred from crossing the Channel.
Earlier this month, Sunak defended the Rwanda policy as a “worthwhile investment,” despite the National Audit Office’s revelation that the plan could amount to nearly £2 million per deported illegal immigrant.
Referring to the NAO’s report, Sunak remarked, “The current situation is unsustainable and unfair. Taxpayers are already footing the bill to house illegal migrants in hotels daily, which is unjust. That’s why halting the influx of boats is a top priority for me.”
Sunak Acknowledges ‘Unsustainable’ Status Quo
Regarding the report’s findings, Sunak highlighted, “The current situation is unsustainable and unfair. Taxpayers are already forking out millions of pounds a day to house illegal migrants in hotels across the country, that’s not right. That why I made stopping the boats one of my priorities.”
Back in January, Home Secretary James Cleverly mentioned to MPs that up to 33,085 illegal immigrants residing in the UK, whose asylum applications were deemed “inadmissible,” could potentially be deported to Rwanda.
During a session with the Home Affairs Committee, Cleverly and two Home Office officials were questioned about the status of these immigrants living in temporary facilities across the country.
Conservative MP Tim Loughton expressed concerns about the legal status of these individuals and the lack of proper supervision, to which Cleverly responded that the term “missing” was not reflective of their situation.
