Home Secretary James Cleverly is en route to Rwanda to finalize a new treaty as part of the government's asylum strategy. This move follows Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's effort to secure a
legally robust agreement for sending migrants to Rwanda, particularly after a recent Supreme Court ruling against the existing scheme.
Following the court's decision on November 15, the government assured that contingency plans were in motion. They committed to a Rwanda treaty within days and emergency legislation in parliament.
Cleverly emphasized Rwanda's commitment to refugee rights and expressed anticipation for discussions and the treaty signing with counterparts. He underlined the joint initiative aimed at halting illegal migration and ensuring safety, stressing that Rwanda is deemed a safe nation.
Addressing the recent Supreme Court ruling, Cleverly highlighted their collective aim to implement future changes to address concerns, solidifying this commitment through a new internationally recognized treaty.
Reports suggested Rwanda might seek additional funding beyond the £140 million already allocated for the program. The Sunday Times mentioned a potential £15 million supplement as part of fresh terms for the UK-Rwanda agreement.
Sunak's meeting with Rwanda's President Kagame during the COP28 climate talks signaled further negotiations, yet details regarding increased funding for the program remained undisclosed. Downing Street refuted claims of a formal request for extra funds from Rwanda, stating no such demand had been made.
Cleverly previously outlined a comprehensive five-point plan to curb immigration, including measures such as restricting care workers from bringing dependents to the UK, elevating the minimum salary for skilled worker visas, abolishing discounted labor rates for shortage occupations, revising family visa income thresholds, and subjecting the graduate immigration route to review. Additionally, the government proposed a substantial 66% increase in the health surcharge, raising it from £624 to £1,035 this year. Photo by Richard Townshend, Wikimedia commons.