Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Relocations to Rwanda

Monday 20 June 2022 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government are seeking greater transparency from the ECHR on the reasons for its judgment.
  • A full judicial review of the Rwanda partnership is expected to be heard in July.
  • The Home Secretary's policy is aimed at reducing dependency on expensive hotel accommodation for asylum seekers.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Suzanne Webb
Immigration Foreign Affairs
Context

The question arises from the European Court of Human Rights' granting interim measures last minute, which halted progress on the relocation programme.

Question

What progress her Department has made in relocating individuals to Rwanda under the migration and economic development partnership despite the halt due to interim measures granted by the European Court of Human Rights?

Answer from Tom Pursglove

The Government are seeking greater transparency from the ECHR on the reasons for its judgment. A full judicial review is expected to be heard in July. I want to be clear that this partnership is fully compliant with our international obligations.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific progress updates or actions taken beyond stating intentions and court proceedings status.

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Q2 Suzanne Webb
Immigration Asylum & Refugees Migrants & Borders
Context

The question focuses on the financial implications of housing asylum seekers in hotels, noting that £5 million a day is spent on this accommodation.

Question

Unbelievably, £5 million a day is being spent on housing asylum seekers in hotels. That money could be better used in the west midlands to support additional police officers recruitment. Can my hon. Friend confirm that he will press ahead with our Rwanda partnership to end our dependency on expensive accommodation and crack down on people smuggling gangs?

Answer from Tom Pursglove

My hon. Friend absolutely hits the nail on the head in explaining why our new plan for immigration is so important, and we are determined to deliver on it. It is a comprehensive package of reform, including the Rwanda proposals, and we are going to get on and deliver on it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details or assurances regarding financial implications or commitments beyond reiterating the importance of the plan.

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Q3 Stuart McDonald SNP
Asylum & Refugees
Context

The question arises on World Refugee Day, addressing concerns about the Home Secretary's policy of relocating refugees to Rwanda.

Question

On World Refugee Day, we pay tribute to all the fantastic refugees who have made utterly amazing contributions to our society. The full hearing on whether the Home Secretary's policy in Rwanda is lawful will take place in July. Surely, if she has an iota of respect for the UNHCR and the importance of the refugee convention, she will wait for the outcome of that hearing before proceeding with removals?

Answer from Tom Pursglove

We do not comment on ongoing legal proceedings. Every day this new partnership is not in operation is a day that people continue to risk their lives in the channel, which is unacceptable and unsustainable.

Not addressed: Did not address whether waiting for legal proceedings was considered or planned actions beyond acknowledging risks involved without specific commitment.

How: Changing Subject Entirely

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