Rwanda is set to receive at least £15 million ($19 million) in additional funds to finalize a treaty with the UK, agreeing to accept migrants arriving in Britain through small boats, according to recent sources.
The Sunday Times notes that the additional £15 million is on top of the £140 million already extended to Kigali. This financial assistance is a component of the larger agreement, ensuring Rwanda’s acceptance of asylum seekers who undertake the challenging journey across the English Channel to reach the UK.
There’s a possibility of more funding for Rwanda as part of a treaty deal, according to Downing Street insiders. The PA news agency reports that any potential increase in funds would be aimed at covering additional costs arising from Supreme Court concerns, which deemed the initial plan unlawful.
Arrangements are in place for Home Secretary James Cleverly to fly to Rwanda and give official approval to a new treaty.
The Sunday Times suggests that the Cabinet minister might travel as early as Monday, and there’s a possibility of emergency legislation being tabled this week.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame met during the Cop28 climate talks in Dubai on Friday.
He opted not to specify the increased budget required to kickstart the scheme.
According to reports, the extra £15 million is intended to fund additional personnel, contributing to the enhancement and expansion of the Rwandan asylum processing system.
While at Cop, the Conservative Party leader, in a press briefing, announced that he is in the process of finalizing legislation designed to advance the Rwanda proposal. This legislative move is considered vital to fulfilling his commitment to curbing boat arrivals before a likely general election next year.
Read also: Sunak Dispatches Officials To Rwanda To Support Deportations
The prime minister has established the goal of deportation flights taking off by spring.
Sources inside Number 10 said the UK government was hopeful that the emergency legislation would be ready this week but that it could not be guaranteed.
The bid to send some asylum seekers on a one-way trip to the African nation was dealt a blow when the Supreme Court ruled it unlawful last month.
Sunak’s attempt to save the policy involves the signing of a new treaty with Kigali and the introduction of emergency legislation allowing Parliament to deem the country safe, despite concerns raised by senior judges.
Following the judgment by the Supreme Court on November 15, Downing Street originally said a new small boats law would be published within days but the wait has gone on for more than two weeks.
On Wednesday, the Home Office’s top official confirmed to MPs that negotiations on a Rwanda treaty were in their final stages.
Permanent Secretary Sir Matthew Rycroft told the Home Affairs Select Committee that officials were in the capital Kigali putting the “finishing touches” to the talks.
Even in freezing December conditions, migrants persist in undertaking the challenging Channel crossing.
On Friday, Home Office figures show that 93 migrants arrived in Britain on two boats, and there are reports of further landings on Saturday.
The sea route has been taken by almost 28,500 asylum seekers arriving in 2023, and the one-year anniversary of Sunak’s “stop the boats” commitment is just around the corner.
The Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, has criticized the Rwanda policy as a “gimmick” and accused the Tories of betraying their 2019 manifesto commitment to lower migration.
Sir Keir, seen as the likely next prime minister in opinion polls, emphasized his readiness to openly discuss contentious matters, including immigration.