The Refugee Council are criticising the Prime Ministers’ claims that the Rwanda policy will act as a deterrent, which he made in this morning’s press conference.
Chief Executive of the Refugee Enver Solomon, said: “Even if, as the Prime Minister asserts, there is to be ‘a regular rhythm of multiple flights every month’, this will still only correspond to at most a few thousand people a year out of tens of thousands. Instead of giving these people a fair hearing on UK soil to determine if they have a protection need, the Government will have to look after them indefinitely, at considerable cost.
“Despite the Prime Minister’s renewed claims about deterrence, we know from the Home Office’s own research, as well as our own, that policies such as the Rwanda plan don’t actually work as a deterrent, and people seeking asylum have said they won’t stop coming to the UK to find safety.
“The Government must stop wasting time and resources on futile endeavours and focus instead on the vital task of processing asylum claims promptly and fairly.”
Leader of the Liberal Democrats Sir Ed Davey called the Rwanda plan “a colossal failure”, and said that Sunak should call a general election.
The bill will be voted on in the House of Commons today.
