UK’s first deportation flight could leave the country within 10-12 weeks, prime minister Rishi Sunak pledged on Monday.
Addressing the news conference, PM Sunak asked the House of Lords to allow the authorities to deport some asylum-seekers to Rwanda. “Enough is enough,” Sunak said, as he told reporters that commercial charter planes are booked to carry the asylum seekers.
This announcement came after Sunak promised to end the Parliamentary deadlock over a key policy promise before an election, which is expected to take place later this year.The House of Commons will take up the bill later in the day, followed by consideration in the House of Lords.
He declined to provide details when asked how many people were expected to be on the flights in coming months.
“We are ready. Plans are in place, and these flights will go come what may. No foreign court will stop us from getting flights off,” he said.
For two months, progress on the bill has been halted as it ping-ponged between the two chambers of Parliament. The House of Lords repeatedly introduced amendments, only for them to be rejected by the House of Commons. While the Lords lack the authority to terminate the legislation, their assent is required for it to pass into law.
The ruling Conservative Party intends to utilize Rwanda as a destination for certain asylum-seekers, aiming to dissuade migrants from risking the perilous journey across the English Channel on unsafe inflatable boats. Despite being pursued by three prime ministers over the past two years, this plan has faced obstacles from court rulings and vocal opposition from migrant advocates who deem it both illegal and inhumane.
The current legislation, named the Safety of Rwanda Bill, is a response to a Supreme Court ruling that halted deportation flights due to the government’s inability to ensure the safety of migrants transferred to Rwanda.
Following the negotiation of a new treaty with Rwanda to enhance safeguards for migrants, the government has put forth the new legislation designating Rwanda as a safe country.
(With inputs from agency)
Addressing the news conference, PM Sunak asked the House of Lords to allow the authorities to deport some asylum-seekers to Rwanda. “Enough is enough,” Sunak said, as he told reporters that commercial charter planes are booked to carry the asylum seekers.
This announcement came after Sunak promised to end the Parliamentary deadlock over a key policy promise before an election, which is expected to take place later this year.The House of Commons will take up the bill later in the day, followed by consideration in the House of Lords.
He declined to provide details when asked how many people were expected to be on the flights in coming months.
“We are ready. Plans are in place, and these flights will go come what may. No foreign court will stop us from getting flights off,” he said.
For two months, progress on the bill has been halted as it ping-ponged between the two chambers of Parliament. The House of Lords repeatedly introduced amendments, only for them to be rejected by the House of Commons. While the Lords lack the authority to terminate the legislation, their assent is required for it to pass into law.
The ruling Conservative Party intends to utilize Rwanda as a destination for certain asylum-seekers, aiming to dissuade migrants from risking the perilous journey across the English Channel on unsafe inflatable boats. Despite being pursued by three prime ministers over the past two years, this plan has faced obstacles from court rulings and vocal opposition from migrant advocates who deem it both illegal and inhumane.
The current legislation, named the Safety of Rwanda Bill, is a response to a Supreme Court ruling that halted deportation flights due to the government’s inability to ensure the safety of migrants transferred to Rwanda.
Following the negotiation of a new treaty with Rwanda to enhance safeguards for migrants, the government has put forth the new legislation designating Rwanda as a safe country.
(With inputs from agency)
