I am proud that this Government has grasped the nettle to deal with a problem that has ballooned out of control.
Let me be very clear, this new policy is designed to tackle illegal immigration.
The prime minister set out the rationale behind our new policy in his speech on 14th April, and I would urge you to read it in full – it highlights how we have always provided sanctuary to those fleeing persecution and in need of protection, and will continue to do so.
The prime minister’s speech also underlined the immense strain of uncontrolled immigration on our country: the unmanageable added burden on NHS and our welfare state, the way it overstretches our local schools, our housing and public transport. This cannot continue.
As the prime minister put it: “Our compassion may be infinite, but our capacity to help people is not”.
To draw out a few specific points:
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Since 2015, more than 185,000 men, women and children seeking refuge have been offered a place in this country – more than any similar resettlement scheme in Europe
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Many of those coming here illegally do so through highly dangerous routes, such as in containers or on small boats. They pay vast amounts of money to unscrupulous people smugglers, risking their lives in the process
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Many of those coming here illegally have already travelled through other safe countries – where they could and should have claimed asylum
With regard to relocations to Rwanda:
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Rwanda is a fundamentally safe and secure country with respect for the rule of law and a fast-growing economy
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Rwanda has a credible track record of hosting refugees and working constructively with the UN Refugee Agency to provide food, healthcare and jobs with more than 130,000 refugees recently resettled
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The EU and UN both resettle people in Rwanda
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Since 2019 Rwanda has been working with the UN Refugee Agency and the African Union to support more than 500 refugees and asylum seekers evacuated from Libya, under the Emergency Transit Mechanism. They are housed at a dedicated centre providing mental health services, legal assistance, employment training and opportunities. Rwanda has also supported around 30,000 Burundian refugees who have also transited to the centre since 2015
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Under the UK agreement with the Rwandan government, Rwanda will process claims in accordance with the UN Refugee Convention, national and international human rights laws, and will ensure protection from inhuman and degrading treatment
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The UK is investing £120 million into the economic development and growth of Rwanda, with funding also provided to support the delivery of asylum operations, accommodation and integration
The prime minister’s speech can be read here: PM speech on action to tackle illegal migration: 14 April 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
People have been very quick to criticise this new policy to tackle immigration; they have been much slower to suggest a credible alternative that respects the wishes of the British people, who have voted time and again for controlled immigration. I reiterate that this policy is only for illegal immigrants. It is specifically designed to deter the evil people smugglers who are costing countless lives.
I firmly believe that these new measures, combined with the reforms to the asylum system and the changes to our laws in the Nationality and Borders Bill, will help deter illegal entry into the UK. In doing so they will help break the business model of the criminal smuggling gangs, protect the lives of those they endanger, ensure continued support for the truly vulnerable, and enhance our ability to remove those with no right to be in the UK.