What is the rwanda scheme?

The Rwanda scheme was a UK government plan to send some asylum seekers who arrived irregularly, such as by small boat, to Rwanda. Their claims would be processed there. Announced in 2022, it was blocked by the courts, then revived by new legislation. The Labour government scrapped it in July 2024.

The UK and Rwanda signed the agreement in April 2022. People who arrived through irregular routes would be relocated to Rwanda, and if their claims succeeded they would stay there rather than return. The aim was to deter dangerous Channel crossings. The first flight was stopped in June 2022 after a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights. It was a five-year deal.

In November 2023 the UK Supreme Court ruled the plan unlawful, because of the risk that Rwanda might return genuine refugees to danger. The government then signed a new treaty and passed the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Act 2024, which declared Rwanda a safe country. No enforced flights took off before the July 2024 general election. Costs kept growing.

The new Labour government scrapped the scheme in July 2024. It said around £700 million had been spent, and only four people, all volunteers, had gone to Rwanda. Supporters of the scheme argue it was never given a chance to work as a deterrent. Critics say it was expensive, unworkable and breached the UK's international obligations. Debate over offshore processing continues.