London, 14 March 2024 (TDI): The UK government has planned to pay asylum seekers to relocate to Rwanda on March 13. This proposal has come amidst controversies over the refugee bill which was presented by Rishi Sunak’s government.
Under the scheme, asylum seekers denied the right to stay in the UK would be given the option to move to Rwanda and receive a one-time payment of up to £3,000. The UK government maintains that Rwanda is a safe country for resettlement, citing a recent agreement between the two nations.
The proposed scheme, part of a deal struck with Rwanda, was drawn up by ministers to clear a backlog of tens of thousands of asylum seekers who have been refused the right to stay but cannot be returned to countries deemed unsafe.
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According to the Home Office, 19,000 people were removed voluntarily from the UK in the past year. Under the new extension, people will receive the money if they agree to live in Rwanda, which the UK government considers to be a safe third country despite reports from rights groups on political oppression.
This decision has come following the bill rejection in the House of Lords, last month. After getting rejected from The House of Lords, the bill was then presented in House of Commons with a significant amendment where it was finally accepted. Based on this, UK government has now planned to resettle the Rwandan refugees.
Kevin Hollinrake, a junior business minister, said on Wednesday that the new policy was a good use of public money. “So, 3,000 pounds, of course that’s a lot of money, but nevertheless, it costs a lot of money to keep people in the UK who are failed asylum seekers,” he told LBC Radio.
In an effort to overcome resistance from the courts, Prime Minister of UK, Rishi Sunak is passing legislation through Parliament that would block further legal challenges by declaring Rwanda a so-called safe country for asylum seekers.
