The passing of the Rwanda Bill was welcomed by Illegal Migration Minister Michael Tomlinson, who described it as a “landmark moment.” However, BBC presenter Jon Kay challenged his claim that the bill would deter asylum seekers, pointing to footage of migrants boarding dinghies on the same day. Tomlinson acknowledged that the deterrent effect would only come into play once the treaty with Rwanda was in force and flights commenced.
Despite the passage of the bill, asylum seekers continue to make dangerous Channel crossings, with officials highlighting fatalities and moral reasons for curbing the boats. Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper criticized the Rwanda scheme as expensive and not a serious solution. Official figures indicate an increase in small boat arrivals compared to last year.
The Council of Europe and human rights experts have raised concerns about the human rights implications of the Rwanda policy. The government plans to send £5 million to Rwanda, but critics question the effectiveness of the scheme and advocate for alternative approaches to border security.
