Boris Johnson’s multimillion-dollar deal to send asylum seekers to Rwanda while their applications are being processed has been condemned as “immoral”, “impractical” and will have “astronomical” costs. The remarks by Andrew Mitchell – a Tory MP and former minister – came after the prime minister unveiled the plan, which could see thousands of people flying more than 4,000 miles to the African country. Speaking on BBC Radio 4 today, Mr Mitchell said he acknowledged that ministers were trying to tackle “what is a terrible problem” as 28,000 people came to the UK “illegally” in 2021. “The government is rightly trying to break the miserable and deadly model of smugglers, and so I am absolutely behind them in that,” he said.

Basic points

A plan described as “immoral” and “impossible” The Prime Minister and Patel announce a plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda

Show last update 1650016129

Sending migrants to Rwanda will save money in the long run, the minister insists

Sending migrants to Rwanda will save money in Britain “in the long run”, a minister said, despite critics describing the cost as a “dive”. Mr Pursglove said: “There is an advance of 120 120 million to set up this partnership and, as we move forward, we will continue to contribute to Rwanda as they handle the cases, in a manner similar to the amount of money they are spending on it. currently here in the UK. “But in the long run, taking this control should help us save money. “We spend εκατο 5 million a day to accommodate people staying in hotels. “This is not sustainable and it is not acceptable and we have to put it under control.” Matt Mathers 15 April 2022 10:48 1650015936

PM wants first ‘illegal’ immigrants to fly to Rwanda in six weeks

The prime minister wants to see the first migrants handing over a “one-way ticket” to Rwanda flown out in about six weeks as the government struggles to curb Channel flows. Boris Johnson reportedly wants the first flight with those believed to have arrived in the UK illegally – including those who went on the water to embark on a dangerous voyage in small boats – to leave late next month, marking the start of thousands of relocation plans. in the coming years. Amy Gibbons has more below: Matt Mathers 15 April 2022 10:45 1650014873

ICYMI: Voters oppose Boris Johnson’s plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, according to new poll

The YouGov poll, conducted hours after the’s. 120 million plan was confirmed by the prime minister, found that 42 per cent of respondents opposed it, compared to just 35 per cent who supported it. Political writer Andrew Woodcock has the story: Matt Mathers 15 April 2022 10:27 1650013578

The goal of the program is to enable people to enjoy “fully prosperous” lives, the minister claims.

The goal of the Rwandan government’s plan for asylum seekers is to help people enjoy “fully prosperous lives”, a government minister has claimed. Conservative MP Tom Pursglove told BBC Radio 4 today: “The fact is that when people move to Rwanda, they do not have to stay. If they want to leave and not enter the asylum system there, they can. “But what will happen is that people will be treated under the Rwandan asylum system, if they are granted they can stay in Rwanda and what Rwanda wants to do is ensure that these people can live fully prosperous and successful life, and the cooperation agreement we have with them, we will help them achieve that “. He said the cost to Britain would “depend to a large extent on the number of people being relocated” and “how much time they spend in Rwanda’s asylum system”. “It’s impossible to quantify this at the moment because the fact is that there are variables at play here that are very relevant to these total amounts of money,” he said, adding that the UK’s payments to Rwanda would be “quite equivalent ”to what is spent at home. Mr Pursglove said he was “not setting a timetable” for how long the new approach would take to stop small vessels from crossing the English Channel. The goal is for those who move to Rwanda and be granted asylum there to enjoy a “fully prosperous” life, according to a British government minister. Matt Mathers 15 April 2022 10:06 1650012738

Rwanda asylum plan ‘immoral’ and ‘impossible’, says former Tory cabinet minister

Boris Johnson’s multimillion-dollar deal to send asylum seekers to Rwanda while their applications are being processed has been condemned as “immoral”, “impractical” and will have “astronomical” costs. Our political correspondent Ashley Cowburn has the full story: Matt Mathers 15 April 2022 09:52 1650012693

Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s live political coverage. Stay tuned for the latest developments from Westminster and elsewhere. Matt Mathers 15 April 2022 09:51