The Rwandan government has announced that the UK will not be refunded the £270 million paid for the now-cancelled Conservative Party’s asylum scheme, despite the new Labour government’s decision to end the program. Dr. Doris Uwicyeza Picard, from the Rwandan Ministry of Justice, stressed that Rwanda has met its obligations by preparing to host thousands of migrants, effectively addressing what was primarily a UK concern.
Even though the UK had paid £270 million under the Migration and Economic Development Partnership, no migrants have been forcibly sent to Rwanda. Only four failed asylum seekers have opted to relocate voluntarily after being offered £3,000. British ministers have yet to provide the required three months’ notice to end the five-year agreement formally. However, Dr. Uwicyeza Picard acknowledged Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer’s decision to terminate the deal following his election win.
The agreement includes a clause that allows the UK to withdraw from additional payments of £50 million in 2025 and 2026 without penalties. Nonetheless, the UK government will likely continue supporting the four asylum seekers who relocated to Kigali. Dr. Uwicyeza Picard highlighted Rwanda’s dedication to the partnership and the substantial resources invested to accommodate migrants, expressing hope for continued goodwill between the nations despite the UK’s policy changes.
She also addressed the criticism and misconceptions surrounding the deal, clarifying that Rwanda’s participation was intended to support a UK-initiated solution rather than reflect negatively on Rwanda itself. Dr. Uwicyeza Picard criticized the UN refugee agency for its inconsistent stance on Rwanda’s safety for different groups of migrants.
The termination of the agreement creates complications for a group of Sri Lankan Tamil asylum seekers transferred to Rwanda from Diego Garcia, a British territory, who now feel unsafe and isolated. The Labour government plans to reallocate the £75 million saved from ending the Rwanda scheme to establish a new border security command aimed at tackling people-smuggling gangs.
Additionally, Labour intends to integrate more than 90,000 migrants, initially marked for deportation, into the UK asylum system, allowing them to apply for leave to remain. The government may also face compensation claims from over 200 migrants who were detained for scheduled flights to Rwanda without a realistic prospect of removal.
Labour has criticized the previous government’s spending on the scheme, arguing that the funds could have been better used to bolster UK border security. They pledge to create a Border Security Command to more effectively combat smuggling operations.
