Labour has demanded that provides urgent public answers
to claims that earmarked asylum accommodation in Rwanda has been
sold.
The Times today casts further doubt on the workability
of the Rwanda scheme, with reports that 70 per cent of homes
reserved for migrants that would be removed from the UK as part
of the Rwanda scheme have been purchased by local people.
The Rwanda scheme is estimated to cost the British taxpayer in
excess of £500 million - but will only cover less than one per
cent of asylum arrivals.
With Parliament not sitting today, Labour's Shadow Immigration
Minister has told the Prime Minister that he must urgently
explain to the public what the status of the accommodation is,
and answer a number of questions.
Questions Rishi Sunak must answer today:
- Are reports in today's Times that 70 per cent of the
earmarked accommodation in Rwanda is no longer available correct?
- What is the Conservative government's alternative proposal on
housing those removed from the UK when flights get off the
ground?
- Given it is already estimated that the Rwanda scheme will
cost British taxpayers more than £500 million, how much more will
it cost to secure additional accommodation?
- Will he finally acknowledge that the scheme allows for fewer
than 300 people to be removed?
- When that quota is filled, what is the government's plan for
additional accommodation here in the UK, and at what cost to the
public purse?
Stephen Kinnock MP, Labour's Shadow Immigration Minister,
said:
“The half a billion-pound Rwanda scheme is a failing farce, which
will only cover less than one per cent of asylum arrivals.
“Now it seems there will be even less capacity to house those
that are removed. The Tories' so-called plan is unravelling by
the day and taxpayers are footing the bill. It's time for change.
“Labour has a credible plan to break up the gangs smuggling
people on boats, send people back who have no right to be in
Britain - and strengthen our borders once and for all.”
Ends
Notes:
Today's report in The Times: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/rwandan-homes-earmarked-for-deported-migrants-sold-to-locals-82nvgpptq
Labour's five-point plan to reform the asylum system:
-
Crackdown on criminal smuggler gangs, through new
Cross-Border Police Unit and deeper security cooperation with
Europe
A Labour Government would crackdown on criminal smuggler gangs by
introducing stronger powers for the UK's National Crime Agency to
restrict the movement of those suspected of being involved in
people smuggling and setting up a new cross-border police unit
with officers based in the UK and across Europe to tackle gangs
upstream.
That would include officers being posted directly to Europol to
collaborate on joint investigations and to identify and seize
boats upstream. Labour will also seek to negotiate a new security
agreement with Europe, including a replacement to SIS-II, to
allow for the real-time sharing of intelligence on people
smuggling suspects. To fund this, Labour would redirect spending
from the unworkable Rwanda scheme, which the government has
admitted is subject to a very high risk of fraud.
-
End hotel use, clear the Tory asylum backlog, and speed
up returns to safe countries
Labour will save the taxpayer billions by ending the use of
hotels for asylum seekers within 12 months and setting up a new
returns unit for safe countries. Labour will recruit over 1,000
Home Office caseworkers to clear the record Tory asylum backlog,
and a further 1,000 staff for a new returns unit so that those
who do not have a right to stay here can be quickly removed, and
we end the use of costly hotels at the taxpayers' expense. Labour
will fast track decisions on applications from safe countries,
like India and Albania, which are unlikely to be granted; and
establish a new returns unit to reverse the 44% collapse in
asylum removals that the Tory Government has overseen since 2010.
-
Reform resettlement routes to stop people being
exploited by gangs
Labour would redesign the existing resettlement schemes which are
not currently working properly so that they include a clearer
process for refugees with family connections in the UK to be
considered for resettlement, preventing them being exploited by
criminal gangs or making dangerous journeys.
-
New agreement with France and other countries on
returns and family reunion
Labour would negotiate a new agreement which includes safe
returns and safe family reunions for child refugees.
-
Tackle humanitarian crises at source helping refugees
in their region
Labour would work in partnership internationally to address some
of the humanitarian crises that are leading people to flee their
homes including restoring the 0.7% aid commitment when the fiscal
situation allows and strengthening support for the people of
Afghanistan, currently the largest group trying to cross the
Channel.
