What Is the Rwanda Deportation Deal Costing UK Tax Payers?

Rwanda could receive almost half a billion pounds from London as part of the deportation agreement. This is according to a report by the National Audit Office. In return, the country must accept 300 asylum seekers from the British government. This sum is made up of annual payments totaling £370 million and a further £120 million once 300 people have been resettled. In addition, a further £20,000 is due per person and up to £151,000 depending on the length of stay. On top of this, there is a larger sum in the tens of millions for personnel and deportation costs.

All in all, according to the Guardian, the costs per deportation could amount to up to £1.8 million. According to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the first deportation flights could take off in ten to twelve weeks. His government had promised voters that it would stop immigration across the English Channel. However, it seems doubtful that the Rwanda plan will help. In the first quarter of 2024 alone, 4,600 boat refugees were registered, compared to almost 30,000 last year.

In addition to the costs of the Rwanda deal, critics are concerned about the extent to which the plan is compatible with human rights. The Supreme Court in London temporarily halted the deportation agreement because it did not believe it ensured that deportees in Rwanda would receive a fair asylum procedure. In answer to this, Sunak had the East African country declared a 'safe third country' by law.

Read the original version of this text in German here.