Newly revealed documents from March 2022 indicate that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had doubts regarding the UK government's proposal to send asylum seekers to Rwanda during his time as Chancellor. The papers, obtained by the BBC, shed light on Sunak's hesitation on both the effectiveness and cost of the plan.
The plan, introduced by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson in April 2022, aimed to process and potentially resettle asylum seekers in Rwanda, with the goal of reducing Channel crossings.
According to the documents, Sunak was particularly concerned about the financial implications of sending asylum seekers to Rwanda. He proposed decreasing the initial numbers, suggesting a starting figure of 500 asylum seekers in the first year, instead of the initially proposed 1,500. Additionally, he recommended considering 3,000 asylum seekers in years two and three, rather than the originally suggested 5,000.
Notably, the then-Chancellor expressed skepticism about the plan's deterrent effect, stating that he believed the "deterrent won't work." Sunak was also hesitant to allocate funds for reception centers, advocating for the dispersal of migrants across the country instead of relying on costly hotel or housing accommodations.
The documents highlight a divergence of opinions between No 10 and 11 Downing Street regarding the efficacy of the proposed scheme. Notably, No 10 suggested that Sunak should factor in his popularity with the public if he hesitated to endorse changes to the migration system, including the Rwanda plan.
Despite facing legal challenges and a Supreme Court ruling deeming the Plan unlawful, now-Prime Minister Sunak has affirmed his commitment to implementing the Rwanda plan making it one of his top priorities. It is unclear what the motive behind Sunak's political U-turn is. However, it is most probable that the PM answers to his Party's demands and falls into its pressure.
It's important to note that, as of now, no asylum seekers have been sent to Rwanda, and the first scheduled flight in June 2022 was canceled due to legal challenges. The government defends Sunak's involvement, stating that he funded the Rwanda scheme as Chancellor and continues to prioritize it as Prime Minister. The cost of the scheme has reportedly doubled to £290 million, with ongoing legal and logistical challenges further delaying its implementation.