THE UK government will allocate £50 million to Rwanda upon the passing of a contentious deportation bill, it was revealed on Monday. The bill, which allows for the forced deportation of asylum seekers to east Africa if they arrive in the UK via small boats, has stirred heated debates in Parliament.
MPs voted on Monday night to advance the plans, despite mounting criticisms and amendments in the House of Lords. The bill, considered one of the most controversial pieces of legislation in recent years, is expected to receive royal assent and become law by the end of the week.
‘The boats have kept coming, the backlog has kept growing, and the people smugglers are still laughing all the way to the bank,’ remarked Stephen Kinnock, the shadow Home Office minister, in a passionate critique of the proposed legislation.
Sir Matthew Rycroft, speaking before the public accounts committee, confirmed the government’s intention to transfer the allocated funds to the Rwandan regime once the bill receives royal assent. ‘It will go out as soon as we have royal assent,’ he stated.
Conservative MP Sir William Cash urged for the bill’s swift passage, urging peers (members of the House of Lords) to refrain from imposing ‘ridiculous amendments.’ He emphasised the need to address the escalating migration crisis promptly.
‘The real question now is, let’s get this bill done, let’s get the House of Lords to calm down a bit,’ said Sir William Cash, advocating for a decisive approach.
While the bill faces further scrutiny in the House of Lords, Conservative MPs express confidence in its eventual passage, citing the urgency of addressing the growing influx of asylum seekers.
Despite government confidence in the bill’s eventual passage, opposition remains vocal. Labour has signalled it will not block the bill, but a group of Labour and cross-bench peers is poised to challenge it further.
Amidst growing concerns, unions representing the UK Border Force and immigration workers have raised apprehensions about potential physical resistance during deportation efforts.
As the UK grapples with escalating migration challenges, the passage of the Rwanda bill signifies a contentious shift in asylum policy, sparking debates over efficacy, ethics, and the treatment of vulnerable individuals seeking refuge.
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