Starmer Says Rwanda Policy Is ‘Dead and Buried’

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer speaks during a press conference after his first Cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street, London, on July 6, 2024. (Claudia Greco/PA Wire)

The former government’s plan to deport illegal immigrants to Rwanda is “dead and buried,” Sir Keir Starmer said on Saturday.

At his first press conference as prime minister, Sir Keir told reporters he’s “not prepared to continue with gimmicks that don’t act as a deterrent.”

The Rwanda policy, first introduced in 2022, was a key part of the Conservatives’ plan to “stop the boat” by deterring future crossings. Having to clear a series of legal hurdles, the administration has said they were planning to have the first deportation flight off the ground later this month.

However, Sir Keir has opposed the policy, calling the plan a “gimmick” and vowed to scrap it “on day one” of a Labour government.

Speaking to reporters at Downing Street, Sir Keir said: “The Rwanda scheme was dead and buried before it started. It’s never been a deterrent.

“Look at the numbers that have come over in the first six and a bit months of this year, they are record numbers, that is the problem that we are inheriting.”

Alluding to analyses of the scheme’s capacity, the prime minister said: “The chances were of not going and not being processed, and staying here, therefore, in paid-for accommodation for a very, very long time.

“It’s had the complete opposite effect and I’m not prepared to continue with gimmicks that don’t act as a deterrent.”

Cost Unclear

Sir Keir has said he will curb Channel crossings by hiring specialist investigators and using counter-terror powers to “smash the criminal gangs” behind the flow of illegal immigrants into the UK, but how this will work in practice remains largely unclear.

Earlier this year Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame suggested British taxpayers’ money could be repaid if the deal failed, though his view of the change in UK leadership is uncertain.

Yolande Makolo, a spokeswoman for his administration, later said the country had “no obligation” to return any of the funds but if the UK requested a refund “we will consider this.”

But she made clear this would only apply to a portion of funds which were specifically allocated to pay for support for migrants, with the remaining cash put towards boosting the East African nation’s economy as part of the Migration and Economic Development Partnership.

The previous government was often accused of secrecy over payments agreed for the policy, which was confirmed to come with a price tag of at least £290 million, but an investigation by Whitehall’s spending watchdog found its cost could soar to around half a billion pounds if implemented.

Since April scores of people, reportedly as many as 200, who were due to be deported have been released on bail by immigration judges because there was no longer a realistic prospect of removal within a reasonable timescale.

The change in UK government is likely to spark a string of other bail applications by lawyers for remaining detainees with a strong case for release.

Farage: Labour Doesn’t Have a Plan

Reform leader Nigel Farage, who has just been elected to Parliament, said Labour doesn’t have a plan to deal with channel crossing.

Reacting to Sir Keir’s remarks, Mr. Farage told reporters, “Well he said he would do it, at least he’s kept a promise I suppose.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage (3rd L) and new Reform MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, James McMurdock (2nd R), during a visit to Wyldecrest Sports Country Club, Corringham, Essex, England, on July 6, 2024. (Joe Giddens/PA Wire)

“Look, Rwanda was never going to work. What Keir Starmer is proposing, which is, tackle the gangs, well, frankly, you know, the last government were doing that for the last few years, it’s not going to work.

“At the minute it’s wild and windy, but we do have some pretty strong first hand accounts that as soon as we get a calm spell, they’ll be crossing the English Channel in their thousands, and let’s face it, Keir Starmer does not have a plan to deal with it.”

Analysis of Home office data on the number of small boat arrivals as of July 5, 2024. (The Epoch Times)

Sir Keir’s confirmation that the Rwanda scheme will be scrapped came a day after the High Court dismissed a legal challenge against government guidance on the deportation scheme, saying the Civil Service Code doesn’t prevent public servants from implementing ministers’ decisions to contradict international law.

In the past few years, crossing the English Channel became the main route to enter the UK illegally.

By July 5, a total of 13,574 small boat arrivals had been detected this year, the highest number compared to the same period in any year since recording began in 2018, according to preliminary figures published by the Home Office.

Since 2018, a total of 127,896 small boat arrivals have been detected.

PA Media contributed to this report.