The inclination of Rishi Sunak, the former Chancellor of the Exchequer and current Prime Minister, towards the plan of sending migrants to Rwanda was reportedly tinged with significant

reservations, according to documents reviewed by the BBC.

The papers suggest that Sunak had sought to downsize the original blueprint proposed by No 10, expressing doubts about its effectiveness in curbing Channel crossings and being wary of the expenditure involved. His preference leaned towards cost-cutting measures, such as avoiding the establishment of reception centers in favor of utilizing cheaper options like hotels or private housing.

During his tenure as Chancellor, Sunak exhibited reluctance towards funding reception centers for migrants, citing concerns about their cost compared to the more economical option of housing asylum seekers in hotels. These reservations seemed to clash with the original plans outlined by the Prime Minister's office.

The documents from March 2022 reveal Sunak's reservations about the expenses incurred in sending asylum seekers to Rwanda, proposing a reduction in the initially proposed numbers, advocating for smaller volumes initially—500 instead of 1,500 in the first year and 3,000 instead of 5,000 in the following years.

There appeared to be a substantial divergence in viewpoints between No 10 and 11 Downing Street on the efficacy of the proposed scheme. Sunak seemed skeptical about the scheme's ability to act as a deterrent against migrants crossing, expressing doubts about its effectiveness.

Furthermore, the documents outlined a divergence in preference between the two offices regarding accommodation for migrants, with the Treasury favoring dispersal around the country over the establishment of dedicated reception centers.

Despite the Supreme Court ruling the proposal unlawful, the Prime Minister remained steadfast in his commitment to altering the law to enable flights to Rwanda, while facing pressure from within his party to take more stringent measures to deter Channel crossings.

The Prime Minister's camp defended his stance, attributing Sunak's concerns to his responsibility to ensure prudent use of taxpayers' money while overseeing the scheme's execution.

Opposition figures criticized the scheme as ineffective and costly, accusing the Tories of pursuing gimmicks instead of more comprehensive measures to tackle illegal immigration.

The Rwanda asylum plan, conceived as a five-year trial, aimed to process asylum seekers in Rwanda upon arrival in the UK, potentially granting refugee status or allowing them to apply for settlement in other countries.

However, despite its announcement, no asylum seeker had been sent to Rwanda, with legal challenges leading to the postponement of the first planned flight.

The government contended that the policy aimed to discourage illegal and perilous methods of entry into the UK, such as crossing the English Channel in small boats.

Rishi Sunak, in January 2023, highlighted the cessation of these unauthorized entries as a pivotal goal. Despite setbacks, he reaffirmed his commitment to resurrecting the plan after the resignation of immigration minister Robert Jenrick, who departed citing concerns about the policy's viability. Photo by SteveRwanda, Wikimedia commons.