Rwanda Bill Back-And-Forth Grinds On As MPs Reject Efforts To Water Down Deportation Plan

The parliamentary standoff over the government’s controversial plan to send asylum seekers on a one-way trip to Rwanda continues as MPs voted to reject changes made by the House of Lords.

In the latest round of political “ping-pong”, the House of Commons on Monday stripped seven amendments from the Safety of Rwanda Bill that had been inserted by peers in the Lords, which was the upper chamber’s latest effort to thwart the policy.

The amendments overturned included an attempt by peers to ensure the bill has “due regard” for domestic and international law, and that Rwanda is only regarded as safe for as long as the provisions of the UK’s treaty with that country are in place.

The Commons had previously removed 10 changes to the bill made by the Lords in their attempt to undermine Rishi Sunak’s hopes of getting deportation flights off the ground.

The bill, which aims to overcome the Supreme Court’s block on the Rwanda flights, is likely to eventually prevail because of the convention that the unelected Lords should not overrule elected MPs.

But it’s unclear how long the game of “ping-pong” will continue. One report suggested Tuesday night could be the last attempt by the Lords to derail the bill – as they may only put forward four amendments.

The bill will not pass into law until both houses agree on its final wording

Britain and Rwanda signed a deal almost two years ago that would see migrants who cross the English Channel in small boats sent to the East African country, where they would remain permanently. So far, no migrant has been sent to Rwanda under the agreement.

The plan is key to Sunak’s pledge to “stop the boats” bringing unauthorised migrants to the UK. He argues that deporting asylum seekers will deter people from making risky journeys and break the business model of people-smuggling gangs.

It comes as nearly 750 small boats arrived at the weekend, with official Home Office data showing 534 people were detected making the Channel crossing by small boat on Sunday – a daily high for 2024.