Rwanda Bill Updates
The Rwanda Bill will not be passed until mid-April at the earliest, with confirmation this morning that MPs will get the chance to vote on Lords’ amendments on their first day back in Parliament after Easter recess.
Delay in Passing the Bill
Leader of the House Penny Mordaunt informed MPs that the Safety of Rwanda Bill will be back in the Commons on 15 April, with additional time allocated for further review on 17 April if needed.
Labour frontbencher Lucy Powell expressed concerns about the government’s timetable being stretched due to delays caused by “Labour Lords”. The recent approval of seven new amendments by the Lords has further complicated the process.
Key Amendments
- Exemption for individuals who supported the UK armed forces from deportation
- Requirement for the government to consider domestic and international law
The Safety of Rwanda Bill aims to designate Rwanda as a safe country for asylum seekers, aligning with the government’s efforts to address challenges faced in previous attempts to send asylum seekers to Rwanda.
Challenges and Supreme Court Ruling
In November, the Supreme Court ruled against the government’s scheme, highlighting potential breaches of asylum-seekers’ rights. This ruling has contributed to the ongoing delays in implementing the new legislation.
Current Status and Future Steps
The bill is currently in the ping-pong phase between the Commons and the Lords, with the government yet to accept any of the amendments proposed by the Lords. Further deliberations are expected on 15 April.
Despite the urgency of the situation, there has been confusion among peers regarding the scheduling of the legislation, with some expressing bewilderment at the lack of progress before the Easter break.
Migration Statistics
According to Home Office data, 514 migrants crossed the Channel on Wednesday, following a previous influx on Tuesday.
