What is the UK’s plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda?

The UK government plans to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda.

The High Court has ruled the scheme is legal, but the decision is facing further challenges in the courts.

What is the Rwanda asylum plan?

The five-year trial will see some asylum seekers sent to Rwanda on a one-way ticket, to claim asylum there.

They may be granted refugee status to stay in Rwanda. If not, they can apply to settle there on other grounds, or seek asylum in a “safe third country”.

The government says this will deter people arriving in the UK through “illegal, dangerous or unnecessary methods”, such as on small boats which cross the English Channel.

However, the numbers crossing have not fallen since the policy was announced on 14 April. More than 45,000 people used this route to come to the UK in 2022, the highest figure since records began.

Is the Rwanda scheme legal?

Opponents argue that Rwanda is not a safe destination for asylum seekers and that the scheme breaks human rights laws.

But in December the High Court ruled that the plan is legal. It said the Rwanda scheme does not breach the UN’s Refugee Convention.

However, on 16 January, the High Court ruled that the some of the groups who lost the case have the right to appeal against parts of its decision.

That means flights will not be able to take off to Rwanda while the case goes to the Court of Appeal. No date has been set.

How many people could be sent to Rwanda?

The UK government previously said “anyone entering the UK illegally” after 1 January 2022 could be sent, with no limit on numbers.

Rwanda says it can process 1,000 asylum seekers during the trial period, but has capacity for more.

Under the deal, Rwanda can also ask the UK to take in some of its most vulnerable refugees.

However, no asylum seeker has actually been sent to the country. The first flight was scheduled to go in June, but was cancelled after the legal challenges.

Story continues

Privilege Style – the airline which was scheduled to take asylum seekers to Rwanda – has said it will withdraw from its contract with the Home Office, following a campaign by refugee charities.

How much will the plan cost?

So far the UK has paid the Rwandan government £140m for the scheme.

Other costs would include flights to Rwanda, food, accommodation, access to translators and legal advice. Removing people from the…