The UK government plans to deport 5,700 migrants and asylum seekers to Rwanda this year, bypassing legal challenges. Home Secretary James Cleverly stated that enforcement teams are swiftly detaining individuals without the right to stay. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak aims to halt arrivals via small boats from Europe. Despite criticism, the government released images of detainees to signal progress. Rights groups are preparing for legal battles against the controversial scheme, while thousands of potential deportees remain unaccounted for.
British authorities have begun detaining migrants in preparation for deportation to Rwanda within the next nine to 11 weeks under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's immigration policy. The UK government aims to deter dangerous Channel crossings by implementing this policy, with over 7,500 migrants arriving in England via small boats from France this year. Human rights groups and unions are expected to challenge the legality of the deportation flights, following previous legal opposition. The first asylum seeker was sent to Rwanda under a voluntary scheme, separate from the deportation initiative, causing fear and concern among migrants.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's efforts to deport migrants to Rwanda were approved by Parliament after months of legislative delays and opposition from human rights activists. The plan aims to deter migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats, despite concerns about legality and inhumanity. Further court challenges may still impede deportation flights, according to politics professor Tim Bale.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced plans for the country's first deportation flights to Rwanda within 10-12 weeks to address the issue of illegal migration, urging the House of Lords to stop blocking the legislation. The bill, which aims to deport asylum-seekers to Rwanda, has faced parliamentary delays for two months as it moves between the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Sunak emphasized readiness and determination to proceed with the flights despite opposition and legal challenges.
The refugee charity estimates over 115,000 asylum seekers will be stuck in limbo due to the UK government's Rwanda plan, leading to chaos and immense cost. Only a small fraction are expected to be deported, with significant taxpayer expenses incurred. The government's Nationality and Borders Act 2022, Illegal Migration Act 2023, and Safety of Rwanda Bill are projected to cost taxpayers up to 6.2 billion annually. The Home Office aims to deport illegal migrants, with plans for indefinite flights to Rwanda despite legal challenges on human rights grounds.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that the first flight carrying asylum seekers to Rwanda will depart in 10-12 weeks as part of a plan to tackle illegal migration. Sunak mentioned preparedness with an airfield on standby, commercial charter planes booked, and 500 trained individuals ready to escort migrants. He emphasized that the flights will proceed despite any obstacles, with the first departure scheduled for July. Sunak assured compliance with Britain's international obligations, prioritizing national security over foreign court memberships like the European Court of Human Rights.
The UK Home Office is facing challenges in locating over half of the 5,700 asylum seekers designated for removal to Rwanda. While the government claims Rwanda has agreed to accept these individuals, only 2,143 can currently be tracked down. The missing asylum seekers may have evaded deportation or been subject to administrative errors. The first deportation flights to Rwanda are planned for July, with individuals who arrived between July 2022 and June 2023 included. The process includes the possibility of asylum seekers voluntarily returning to their home countries or applying to leave the UK before being detained for removal.
The Home Office is preparing to detain migrants in anticipation of the first flights to Rwanda, with the government entering the final phase of operationalising the policy. Glasgow-based human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar anticipates protests similar to the Kenmure Street demonstration in 2021, where asylum seekers were prevented from being removed. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expects the first flight to depart in 10 to 12 weeks. The plan includes detaining asylum seekers who attend routine appointments and a two-week nationwide exercise to pick up individuals for transfer to detention centres, though these details have not been confirmed by the BBC.
French President Emmanuel Macron criticizes the UK's Rwanda deportation plan, calling it a betrayal of European values. The UK's new legislation allows for the deportation of illegal migrants to Rwanda, aiming to deter small boat arrivals. The plan, backed by Rishi Sunak, faces legal challenges and aims to reduce Channel crossings. The UK Home Office is gearing up to detain migrants for removal, with the first deportation flights scheduled for July. The controversial scheme has finally become law and received royal assent.
The Rwanda scheme, aimed at deterring illegal migration to the UK, is showing signs of success as migrants are crossing into Ireland instead, according to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Ireland's deputy prime minister, Micheal Martin, acknowledged the impact of the threat of deportation to Rwanda. The Safety of Rwanda Bill became law, with the first deportation plane booked, and Tory MPs believe it is crucial for border security. Rwanda seeks extradition of five genocide suspects from the UK as part of the deal. Refugee groups in Ireland confirm the scheme's influence on migrant movement.
British Home Secretary James Cleverly visits Italy to discuss cooperation in stopping migrants traveling from North Africa across the Mediterranean Sea. He meets with Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi and visits Lampedusa, the main entry point for migrants in Italy. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pushes for Parliament approval to deport asylum-seekers to Rwanda, facing opposition from courts and rights groups. The UK and Italy are praised for innovative solutions to illegal migration, including a recent deal with Albania.
The Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill is a proposed Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.It seeks to deter unlawful migration, particularly by unsafe and illegal routes, by allowing some migrants to be sent to the Republic of Rwanda. It was introduced in the House of Commons on 7 December 2023, by James Cleverly, Home Secretary, passed its second reading on 12 December and passed its third reading on 17 January 2024.It is was introduced to the House of Lords by Lord Sharpe of Epsom, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, passed Committee Stage on 19 February 2024, and passed Report Stage on 6 March 2024. The Bill is currently awaiting its Third Reading which it will receive on 12 March 2024. After its third reading in the Lords, the Bill will return to the Commons for consideration of amendments.
The Rwanda asylum plan (officially the UK and Rwanda Migration and Economic Development Partnership, also known as the Rwanda asylum scheme, the Rwanda plan and the Rwanda deal) is an immigration policy first proposed by the British government in April 2022 whereby people whom the United Kingdom identified as illegal immigrants or asylum seekers would have been relocated to Rwanda for processing, asylum and resettlement. Those who were successful in claiming asylum would have remained in Rwanda, and they would not have been permitted to return to the United Kingdom.The first flight for this plan received legal clearance from the High Court of Justice and was scheduled for 14 June 2022. A last-minute interim measure by the European Court of Human Rights led to the plan being halted until the conclusion of the legal action in the UK. At the end of 2022, the High Court further ruled that though the plan was lawful, the individual cases of eight asylum seekers due to be deported that year had to be reconsidered. The Court of Appeal ruled on 29 June 2023 that the plan was unlawful; with an appeal to the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom leading to a concurrence with the lower court on 15 November 2023.
The UK Prime Minister's plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda is seen as a deterrent, leading to the Republic of Ireland looking to amend laws to allow the return of asylum seekers to the UK. Ireland's Justice Minister intends to propose emergency laws for this, as recent asylum seekers arrived via Northern Ireland. Concerns over the impact of the UK's Rwanda plan on asylum routes to Ireland prompted these actions amid protests and violent clashes over refugee accommodation. Both countries aim to strengthen migration controls and systems, with focus on designated safe third countries.
I KNOW Sun readers are fed up with illegal migration. I share your frustration. Stopping the boats is taking too long. Our plan to relocate illegal arrivals to Rwanda has been delayed by the courts and in the House of Lords. But now our Rwanda Bill has passed through Parliament .
Ireland's Taoiseach has requested legislation to enable sending asylum seekers back to the UK after 80% of recent arrivals came from there. The UK's Rwanda policy, aimed at deterring channel crossings, is now law but no migrants have been sent yet. The Irish justice minister plans to propose amending laws on 'third countries.' The UK government aims to start sending migrants to Rwanda within 10 to 12 weeks.
The threat of deportation to Rwanda is causing migrants to head for Ireland instead of the UK, Ireland's deputy prime minister has said. The Rwanda Bill, which will see asylum seekers "entering the UK illegally" sent to the central African nation - regardless of the outcome of their application - was passed on Tuesday , despite human rights concerns. Micheal Martin told The Daily Telegraph that the policy was already affecting Ireland, as people were "fearful" of staying in the UK. The former Taoiseach said: "Maybe that's the impact it was designed to have." Mr Martin, who is also Ireland's foreign secretary, said asylum seekers were seeking "to get sanctuary here and within the European Union as opposed to the potential of being deported to Rwanda".
The Irish government has seen a rise in asylum claims, with 80% coming from Northern Ireland, attributed to the fear of deportation under the Rwanda policy. Irish officials aim to return migrants to the UK, despite some claiming the 80% figure as not data-based. The Justice Minister mentioned a significant proportion entering through the border. While data supporting this claim was not provided, 91% of asylum seekers applied at the International Protection Office in Dublin, suggesting a land border entry trend.
The number of people arriving in the UK on small boats has surpassed 5,000 by the end of March 2024, with more than 100 boats crossing the Channel this year. This marks the busiest first quarter for crossings on record. Home Secretary James Cleverly warned the Church of England about asylum seekers using religious conversion to avoid return, citing a case where a converted individual was granted asylum but later implicated in a chemical attack in London. Cleverly emphasized the need to distinguish between religious conversion and genuine asylum claims.
The UK government source states that asylum seekers won't be taken back from Ireland until the EU allows for their return to France. Irish officials express concerns over asylum seekers crossing the border from Northern Ireland and the impact of the UK's Rwanda deportation policy. Plans for new legislation in Ireland aim to designate the UK as a safe third country for returning asylum seekers. The escalating row highlights migration challenges and the need for collaboration between the UK and Ireland.
Four Vietnamese nationals were arrested in England for assisting unlawful immigration by advertising people smuggling services on Facebook, with arrests in London and Leicester. The group allegedly targeted the Vietnamese community, charging migrants thousands of pounds for illegal crossings. The National Crime Agency (NCA) and French authorities collaborated in the investigation, leading to further arrests in Paris. The UK government, including Home Secretary James Cleverly, emphasized efforts to dismantle criminal gangs involved in illegal migration, with a particular focus on Vietnamese nationals arriving on small boats.
Ireland's Prime Minister has emphasized the UK's obligation to abide by an agreement dating back to 2020 regarding the return of asylum seekers, amidst a dispute over Ireland's new plan to send back asylum seekers crossing from Northern Ireland. The UK government has declined to take back these asylum seekers until the EU allows them to return to France. The Irish government aims to provide legal clarity on the existing agreement to designate the UK as a safe country for refugee return. Irish officials stress the importance of mutual agreement adherence between both countries.
During a BBC Question Time episode, Policing Minister Chris Philp faced criticism for appearing to mix up Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo while discussing the deportation of asylum seekers to Rwanda. When asked by an audience member about deportations from the DRC to Rwanda, Philp seemed to question if Rwanda and Congo were different countries. Opposition parties and audience members expressed concerns over the lack of clarity in the government's new law on deportations, referencing the historical conflict between the two nations.
Protests and violence have broken out in County Wicklow, Ireland, over growing frustration with the country's immigration policies. The rise in asylum seekers, partly due to the UK's Rwanda policy, has led to tensions and clashes with police. The Irish government is struggling to house the increasing number of refugees, with a tent city emerging in Dublin. The issue has become a focal point for anti-migrant campaigners, sparking confrontations and arson attacks. Immigration is now a significant issue in Ireland, with proposed legislative changes and tensions expected to continue.
Rishi Sunak's tenure as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom began on 25 October 2022 when he accepted an invitation from King Charles III to form a government, succeeding Liz Truss. He is the first British Indian to hold the office of prime minister. As prime minister, Sunak is also serving as First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service, and Minister for the Union.Sunak was defeated by Truss in the July–September 2022 Conservative Party leadership election and spent the duration of Truss's premiership as a backbencher. Following Truss's resignation amid a government crisis, Sunak was elected unopposed to succeed her after being the sole nominee in the October 2022 party leadership election. He was elected Leader of the Conservative Party on 24 October and was appointed prime minister the following day.As prime minister, Sunak has authorised foreign aid and weapons shipments to Ukraine in response to the Russian invasion of the country. He and Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt have continued the levelling up policy introduced during the premiership of Boris Johnson. In January 2023, Sunak outlined five key priorities, one of which is the Illegal Migration Bill. In February 2023, Sunak negotiated a proposed agreement with the European Union (EU) on Northern Ireland's trading arrangements which was published as the "Windsor Framework", which is designed to address the issue of the movement of goods between the European single market and the UK in the current Northern Ireland Protocol; the agreement has failed to receive the support of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). Sunak attended and spoke at the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla in May 2023. In his speech at the October 2023 Conservative Party Conference, Sunak announced the cancellation of the western branch and the remainder of the eastern branch of the planned High Speed 2 (HS2) railway line. Sunak has reshuffled his Cabinet twice, the latter of which resulted in the return of former prime minister David Cameron to government.A number of scandals involving Conservative MPs have occurred during Sunak's premiership. Gavin Williamson and Dominic Raab resigned from their roles in Cabinet in November 2022 and April 2023 respectively after the former was accused of bullying MPs and the latter was found to have bullied civil servants. Chairman of the Conservative Party Nadhim Zahawi was dismissed by Sunak in January 2023 after he was found to have breached the Ministerial Code by failing to disclose he was being investigated by HM Revenue and Customs while he served as chancellor under Johnson. Home Secretary Suella Braverman was widely panned in November 2023, causing huge controversy for comments made about pro-Palestinian protesters and the homeless, which eventually led to her being dismissed by Sunak. Under Sunak, the Conservative Party lost over 1,000 councillors during the 2023 local elections, while the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats made significant gains, which were the poorest local election results for the party since the 2019 local elections under Prime Minister Theresa May.
The home secretary is one of the most senior and influential ministers in the UK Government, and the holder of a Great Office of State. The home secretary's remit includes law enforcement in England and Wales, matters of national security, issues concerning immigration, and oversight of the Security Service (MI5).The home secretary's exercise of these powers is dependent on the ongoing consent and agreement of the prime minister and the rest of the Cabinet, as required by the doctrine of Cabinet collective responsibility. The prime minister can overrule the home secretary's individual decisions. For example, Boris Johnson reportedly overruled home secretary Priti Patel on closing UK borders, and Margaret Thatcher overruled home secretary Leon Brittan on parole for Ian Brady and Myra Hindley. The prime minister can dismiss the home secretary.
Lieutenant Colonel James Spencer Cleverly (born 4 September 1969) is a British politician and Army Reserve officer who has served as Home Secretary since November 2023. A member of the Conservative Party, he has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Braintree in Essex since 2015. He previously served as Foreign Secretary from 2022 to 2023, Education Secretary from July to September 2022, Co-Chairman of the Conservative Party alongside Ben Elliot from 2019 to 2020, and in other junior ministerial positions.Cleverly advocated a vote for Brexit in the 2016 EU membership referendum. In the second May ministry, he served as Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party from 2018 to 2019 and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union from April to July 2019. When Boris Johnson was appointed prime minister in July 2019, Cleverly was promoted to the Cabinet as minister without portfolio, serving as Co-Chairman of the Conservative Party alongside Ben Elliot from 2019 to 2020. Cleverly was demoted from the Cabinet in the 2020 ministerial reshuffle and served as a junior Foreign Office minister from February 2020 until the July 2022 government crisis, when he was appointed to succeed Michelle Donelan as Secretary of State for Education. In September 2022, he was appointed foreign secretary by then–Prime Minister Liz Truss, making him the first British foreign secretary of African heritage. Retained as foreign secretary when Rishi Sunak became prime minister in October 2022, Cleverly was then appointed home secretary in the November 2023 cabinet reshuffle. As Home Secretary, Cleverly has committed to maintaining the Rwanda asylum plan and has introduced a plan to substantially reduce legal migration to the UK by raising the threshold for family visas.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is considering tightening the rules for long-term sick leave to address the concerning rise in Britons permanently out of the workforce. Currently, 9.4 million Britons aged 16 to 64 are neither employed nor unemployed, with around 2.8 million on long-term sick leave. Sunak expressed worries about the number of individuals not working due to mental health conditions and emphasized the need to support them back into the workforce. He plans to shift responsibility for assessing work capability from family doctors to healthcare workers for tailored support.
The Home Office is investigating claims that two Israeli survivors of the Hamas terror attack faced discrimination and antisemitic comments by UK Border Force officers at Manchester Airport. The Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester & Region alleged the men were detained for two hours and subjected to aggressive questioning and demeaning behavior. Home Secretary James Cleverly confirmed the investigation and stated that antisemitism and discrimination are not tolerated. Manchester Airport is cooperating with the investigation.
The UK government, led by Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride, is considering major welfare changes that could result in people with milder mental health conditions losing access to sickness benefits. The proposed overhaul of the personal independence payments (PIP) system includes offering therapy or respite instead of regular payments for certain conditions. Critics, including disability charities, have criticized the plans as a reckless assault on disabled people, emphasizing the need to address real underlying issues. The government aims to consult on the reforms, which aim to ensure help reaches those most in need amidst rising benefit costs.
Rishi Sunak ( ; born 12 May 1980) is a British politician who has served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party since 2022. The first British Asian prime minister, he previously held two cabinet positions under Boris Johnson, latterly as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 2020 to 2022. Sunak has been Member of Parliament (MP) for Richmond (Yorks) since 2015.Sunak was born in Southampton to parents of Indian descent who immigrated to Britain from East Africa in the 1960s. He was educated at Winchester College, studied philosophy, politics and economics at Lincoln College, Oxford, and earned an MBA from Stanford University in California as a Fulbright Scholar. During his time at Oxford University, Sunak undertook an internship at Conservative Central Office, and joined the Conservative Party. After graduating, Sunak worked for Goldman Sachs and later as a partner at the hedge fund firms the Children's Investment Fund Management and Theleme Partners.Sunak was elected to the House of Commons for Richmond in North Yorkshire at the 2015 general election. As a backbencher, Sunak supported the successful campaign for Brexit in the 2016 European Union membership referendum. Following the 2017 general election, Sunak was appointed to a junior ministerial position in Theresa May's second government as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Local Government in the 2018 cabinet reshuffle. He voted three times in favour of May's Brexit withdrawal agreement, which was rejected by Parliament three times, leading to May announcing her resignation. During the 2019 Conservative Party leadership election, Sunak supported Johnson's successful bid to succeed May as Conservative leader and prime minister, after which Johnson appointed Sunak as chief secretary to the Treasury in July 2019.Following the 2019 general election, Johnson promoted Sunak to Chancellor of the Exchequer in the 2020 cabinet reshuffle after the resignation of Sajid Javid. During his time in the position, Sunak was prominent in the government's financial response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impact, including the Coronavirus Job Retention and Eat Out to Help Out schemes. He was also involved in the government's response to the cost of living crisis, UK energy supply crisis, and global energy crisis. Sunak resigned as chancellor in July 2022 amid a government crisis that culminated in Johnson's resignation.Sunak stood in the July–September Conservative Party leadership election to succeed Johnson. He had received the most votes in each of the series of MP votes, but lost the members' vote to Foreign Secretary Liz Truss. After spending the duration of Truss's premiership on the backbenches, Sunak was elected unopposed in the October 2022 Conservative Party leadership election to succeed Truss, who resigned amid another government crisis; at 42, he became the youngest prime minister since Robert Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool in 1812. Sunak took office amid the cost of living crisis and energy supply crisis that began during his chancellorship, as well as amid industrial disputes and strikes. He has authorised foreign aid and weapons shipments to Ukraine in response to the Russian invasion of the country.
Steven Miles government claims to have legal advice from Crown Law and solicitor general that amendments will not violate Human Rights Act or international law The community sector has criticised new youth justice legislation introduced by the Queensland Labor government as part of an irresponsible political manoeuvre and a desperate grab for power in a bipartisan race to the bottom on criminal justice. Meanwhile the opposition accused the government of lying about legislation Labor says would remove the principle of detention as a last resort of a young person, an obligation under the convention on the rights of the child. Sign up for Guardian Australias free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup This is just our wannabe macho men having a fight over who can be the toughest, when actually what we need are some cool heads, who are willing to explain to the community the facts about what is happening in our society, Queensland Council of Social Service (Qcoss) CEO Aimee McVeigh said. And the things that will actually go towards addressing violence in our communities. The governments reforms replace the old principle with a new clause: A child should be detained in custody .
Rishi Sunak served as Chancellor of the Exchequer of the United Kingdom from his appointment on 13 February 2020 to his resignation on 5 July 2022. His tenure was dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, with Sunak becoming a prominent figure in the government's response to the pandemic, giving economic support to struggling businesses through various schemes. He was also involved in the government's response to the cost of living crisis, UK energy supply crisis, and global energy crisis.Sunak was appointed chancellor by prime minister Boris Johnson in the 2020 cabinet reshuffle, succeeding Sajid Javid, who had resigned as chancellor after refusing a demand from Johnson and his chief adviser Dominic Cummings that he dismiss his advisers. Sunak was prominent in the government's financial response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impact, including the Coronavirus Job Retention furlough scheme for employees, and the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, although the latter of which contributed to a rise in COVID-19 infections. Controversies regarding COVID-19 contracts occurred during Sunak's chancellorship. In the Partygate scandal it was found that multiple parties had been held at 10 Downing Street during national COVID-19 lockdowns, and COVID-19 social distancing laws were breached by 83 individuals, including Sunak, who in April 2022 was issued with a fixed penalty notice.In May 2022, as the rising cost of living became an increasingly serious and worrying issue for the country, Sunak intensified the government's efforts to respond to the crisis, with a £5 billion windfall tax on energy companies to help fund a £15 billion support package for the public. Following the Chris Pincher scandal, Sunak resigned as chancellor on 5 July 2022, almost simultaneously with Javid's resignation as health secretary, and was the second of 62 Conservative MPs to resign during the government crisis which culminated in Johnson's own resignation. He was succeeded by Nadhim Zahawi. Three months after the end of his chancellorship, Sunak became prime minister following the resignation of Liz Truss in October 2022 amid another government crisis, having spent the duration of Truss's premiership on the backbenches.
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