This treaty aims to address the hosting of migrants and asylum seekers who are illegally staying in the European country.
This announcement follows concerns raised by the British Supreme Court, which previously deemed the existing agreement non-compliant with the law.
In an effort to rectify this, James Cleverly, alongside Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Vincent Biruta, formally solidified the new agreement on Tuesday, December 5, 2023. The subsequent press conference provided an opportunity for both ministers to outline the treaty’s content, specifically crafted to rectify the flaws identified by the Supreme Court.
Minister Cleverly emphasized that the Rwandan government did not make any demands for extra funds, and he made it clear that the UK is not obligated to provide any additional money related to the signing of the new treaty. This statement directly contradicts speculations about Rwanda’s financial motivations in entering this agreement, though Minister Cleverly did acknowledge the ongoing costs associated with addressing the migrant issue.
Matthew Rycroft, a senior official from the UK Home Office, recently announced the UK’s commitment to support efforts in transferring migrants to Rwanda. While testifying before the House of Commons Security Committee, Rycroft hinted at additional payments to Rwanda each year but maintained confidentiality in revealing the exact amounts, adhering to the government’s privacy policy.
Despite initial scrutiny of the UK-Rwanda agreement, which initially totaled £140 million for managing asylum requests, both parties demonstrate a determination to sustain their collaboration.
The UK’s annual cost for migrant care stands at a minimum of £3 billion, with a daily expenditure of approximately £8 million for immigrant housing.
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