Britain sets out plan to pay migrants to move to Rwanda

Migrants who are refused asylum in Britain could be offered up to £3,000 ($3,835) to move to Rwanda under a government scheme.

It is understood the plan has been approved by the African nation already.

The proposal is separate from the government’s stalled plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda while their claims are processed.

The latest scheme, reported by The Times, is designed to remove migrants who have no legal right to stay in Britain but cannot be returned to their homeland.

It is aimed at people who do not have an outstanding asylum claim and are in a position to be relocated quickly to Rwanda, which the government considers to be a safe third nation.

The proposal is an extension of a Home Office initiative on voluntary returns, in which migrants are offered money to leave Britain for their country of origin.

“In the past year, 19,000 people were removed voluntarily from the UK and this is an important part of our efforts to tackle illegal migration,” a Home Office representative said.

“We are exploring voluntary relocations for those who have no right to be here, to Rwanda, which stands ready to accept people who wish to rebuild their lives and cannot stay in the UK.

“This is in addition to our safety of Rwanda bill and treaty which, when passed, will ensure people who come to the UK illegally are removed to Rwanda.”

The government believes the scheme can be introduced quickly because it will draw on structures outlined by the deal with Rwanda.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s legislation to revive the plan to deport some asylum seekers to Rwanda is to return to the House of Commons, where the government will seek to overturn amendments agreed on by the House of Lords.

One of the changes backed by the Lords was to overturn the plan to remove the courts from the process.

Other changes include a block on removing victims of modern slavery and human trafficking, as well as those seeking asylum who worked with the British military or government overseas.

Green Party peer Jenny Jones described the bill as “a stinker”, while Labour Party peer Vernon Coaker called for “proper consideration” of the proposed changes.

The bill has been approved by MPs and the changes outlined by the Lords set the stage for a stand-off between the two chambers.

Mr Sunak warned the Lords against frustrating “the will of the people” by hampering the passage of the bill.

MPs will have an opportunity to debate and vote on the amendments in the Commons on Monday.