Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Cooper claims Tories planned to spend £10bn on Rwanda plan

Rwanda plan, now scrapped, has already cost £700 million

Cooper claims Tories planned to spend £10bn on Rwanda plan

NEW Labour home secretary has accused the previous, Tory government of concealing the fact that it expected to spend £10 billion ($13bn) on a now-scrapped plan to deport thousands of asylum seekers to Rwanda.

Prime minister Keir Starmer's new government scrapped the plan after comfortably winning an election this month.


Yvette Cooper told parliament that taxpayers had already spent £700 million on chartering flights that never took off, payments to the Rwandan government and many hours of civil servants' work, among other things.

She said that since her appointment as home secretary two weeks ago, she had reviewed the "policies, programmes and legislation that we have inherited", adding: "It is the most shocking waste of taxpayers' money that I have ever seen."

The previous Tory government had announced in 2022 that it would put an end to asylum seekers arriving on small boatsby sending those who arrived in Britain without permission to Rwanda.

But legal challenges have prevented anyone being sent to east Africa except for four individuals who went under a voluntary scheme.

Parliament's spending watchdog in March estimated it would cost at least £600m to deport just 300 refugees to Rwanda - a tiny fraction of the more than 15,000 asylum seekers who have arrived on England's southern coast this year alone.

James Cleverly, the former Tory home secretary, accused Cooper in parliament of using "made-up numbers", but provided no evidence or alternative costings.

Cooper also said tens of thousands of asylum seekers left in limbo and at risk of deportation would now have their claims processed.

She said the government would also reverse a provision in the Illegal Migration Act that has barred anyone arriving illegally since March last year from being granted asylum.

Instead, the government promised to end the costly use of hotels to accommodate asylum seekers, and clear the backlog of claims.

Cooper said the changes would save taxpayers an estimated £7bn over the next 10 years.

The question of how to stop asylum seekers crossing the Channel from France had been a theme of the election campaign.

While the previous Tory government said its plan would put people traffickers out of business, critics called it immoral and unworkable.

Last November, the UK Supreme Court declared the policy unlawful, saying Rwanda could not be considered a safe third country, prompting the government to pass another law to enable it to override the court's assessment.

(Reuters)

More For You

Southport

Floral tributes left by members of the public are seen following the fatal knife attack on three young girls in July in Southport.

Reuters

Public inquiry begins into Southport girls' murders

A PUBLIC inquiry begins on Tuesday into the murders of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event in Southport last year.

The inquiry will examine whether the attack could have been prevented and how future incidents might be avoided.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer-Getty

Starmer is facing a Labour backbench revolt over plans to reform special needs support in schools without guaranteeing existing legal rights. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images)

Starmer faces Labour pushback over SEND reform plans

KEIR STARMER is facing a backlash from Labour MPs over plans to reform special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support, after ministers stopped short of guaranteeing legal rights for parents.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the government was committed to reforming the current system, which costs £12 billion a year. However, she did not confirm if legally enforceable rights, such as those provided by education, health and care plans (EHCPs), would remain.

Keep ReadingShow less
Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit London

Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week

iStock

Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit London before 30°C heatwave

Key points

  • Heavy rain and thunderstorms drench London at the start of the week
  • Temperatures set to rise with highs of 31°C expected by Thursday
  • Heatwave could be declared by Friday if warm conditions persist
  • Night-time temperatures to remain high, increasing discomfort
  • UV and pollen levels forecast to be very high across the south

Thunderstorms soak London before summer heat returns

Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week as heavy rain and overnight thunderstorms swept through the capital. Monday morning saw widespread downpours, leaving commuters reaching for umbrellas and Wimbledon ticket hopefuls queuing in ponchos.

The unsettled conditions followed a burst of thunderstorms on Sunday afternoon and continued into the early hours of Monday, prompting caution across the city. The Met Office has not issued a formal weather warning for thunderstorms, but conditions remain unstable.

Keep ReadingShow less
National Trust sets vision to heal
nature and engage more Asians

Lisa Nandy, Steve Reed, René Olivieri and Hilary McGrady at a National Trust event marking its 130th anniversary

National Trust sets vision to heal nature and engage more Asians

THE National Trust, which is seeking to broaden its appeal to British Asians, is marking its 130th anniversary with a renewed commitment to restoring nature and widening access under a 10-year strategy.

Its director-general, Hilary McGrady, also aims to inspire more people to get involved in caring for the country’s natural resources.

Keep ReadingShow less
 7/7 bombings

The King said the public should draw on the 'extraordinary courage and compassion' shown in response to the attacks. (Photo credit: X/@RoyalFamily)

Starmer and King Charles pay tribute on 20th anniversary of 7/7 bombings

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer and King Charles on Monday paid tribute to the unity shown in the aftermath of the 7 July bombings in London, as the country marked 20 years since the attacks.

On 7 July 2005, four Islamist extremists carried out suicide bombings at Aldgate Station, Edgware Road, King's Cross and Tavistock Square. The attacks killed 52 people and injured hundreds more.

Keep ReadingShow less