READY FOR TAKEOFF
Rishi says ‘nothing will stand in the way’ of getting Rwanda flights off the ground after ‘landmark’ bill passes
Deportation flights to Rwanda are set to begin in as a little as 10 weeks
RISHI Sunak today hailed the passing of the landmark Rwanda Bill as he vowed to focus on getting flights off the ground in weeks.
In a warning to Labour MPs and human rights groups determined to kill off the scheme, the defiant PM pledged that "nothing will stand in our way" of stopping the boats.
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He said: “The passing of this landmark legislation is not just a step forward but a fundamental change in the global equation on migration.
“We introduced the Rwanda Bill to deter vulnerable migrants from making perilous crossings and break the business model of the criminal gangs who exploit them.
"The passing of this legislation will allow us to do that and make it very clear that if you come here illegally, you will not be able to stay.
“Our focus is to now get flights off the ground, and I am clear that nothing will stand in our way of doing that and saving lives.”
It comes as five migrants including a child have died in a failed attempt to cross the English Channel today.
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Rwandan Government Spokesperson Yolande Makolo said her country was "pleased" with the passing of the Bill.
She added that Kigali has spent 30 years working hard "to make Rwanda a safe and secure country for Rwandans and non-Rwandans alike".
Ms Makolo said: "This is why we are able offer safety to the over 130,000 refugees already in Rwanda, and why we partner with the UNHCR to bring migrants stuck in Libya to safety in our country.
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"We are committed to the Migration and Economic Development Partnership with the UK and look forward to welcoming those relocated to Rwanda."
Emergency legislation to get flights off to Rwanda finally passed through Parliament last night - after MPs defeated Lords efforts to ground the planes.
Small boat migrants destined for the Central African state under the controversial scheme could be detained as soon as this week ahead of the first flights in July.
After "ping pong" between the Commons and Lords, the bill is finally on the way to the King for Royal Assent on Tuesday morning.
The PM had warned the Commons would sit as long as it takes to overturn peers' efforts to water down the bill - with planes and airfields booked for 10 to 12 weeks time.
Responding to the Bill finally clearing the House of Lords, Foreign Secretary David Cameron said: "We need innovative solutions to address the global migration crisis.
"The Safety of Rwanda Bill delivers a deterrent that will break the business model of the criminal gangs and save lives.
"This country and this government should decide who comes to the UK, not criminal gangs."
What does the passing of the Bill mean?
Analysis by Noa Hoffman, Political Correspondent, The Sun
The passing of the Rwanda Bill after months of delay will be chalked up by Rishi Sunak and his ministers as a major win.
Against the backdrop of a huge and successful Labour operation to frustrate the legislation - the PM was able to unite his fractious party to get it over the line.
But there is a long way to go before the Bill can be seen to have achieved its core aim - stopping the boats.
Ahead of deportation flights expect to see numerous legal challenges launched by human rights groups.
Part of the Bill's success will be determined by whether it can pass through the courts in the face of lawyers desperate to kill it off.
No10 say they like their chances.
It also remains to be seen just how many illegal migrants will end up being deported - how full will flights be when they're given the green light for take off?
And how smooth will operations be in Kigali, processing the migrants and settling them into their new lives?
If deportations happen only by the dozens - against a backdrop of thousands of small boat arrivals - it will be hard to label the scheme an immediate outright success.
Then there is the question of how effective the flights will be in deterring migrants from crossing the channel in the first place.
With just months to go before a showdown general election - there is precious little time for comprehensive answers to these questions to transpire.
Therefore, it's unlikely the passing of the Bill will have a significant impact on the current low approval ratings of the PM and his party in the polls.
Home Secretary James Cleverly added: “This vital legislation means we can now proceed with our Rwanda plan and begin removing people with no right to be here.
“The only way to stop the boats is to eliminate the incentive to come – by making clear that if you are here illegally, you will not be allowed to stay.
“Our policy does exactly that and plans are well under way to begin flights within 10-12 weeks.”
Even Tory moderates - the One Nation Caucus - gave the Bill the thumbs up.
One Nation Chair Damian Green MP, said: “The PM has taken pragmatic action to deliver on the priorities of British people and stop the boats.
"While we should not sit idly by as lives are lost due to dangerous channel crossings, the Conservative Party has - and always will be – the party of law and order.
“With this landmark legislation passing through both Houses, we must ensure that flights get off the ground as soon as possible."
Mr Sunak earlier warned peers that the Commons would vote through the night if need be to pass his emergency Rwanda bill, insisting planes and airfields are already booked.
But he was forced to admit his last deadline of flights off by “the spring” would be missed amid the wrangling with the Lords.
The PM also...
- CONFIRMED commercial planes had been secured to take migrants to Kigali rather than the RAF
- DECLARED a "regular" stream of flights throughout the summer
- REVEALED 500 dedicated officials have been hired to help deport small boat migrants
- VOWED to ignore Euro judges if that is what it takes to stop the boats
The House of Lords had attempted to block the legislation by repeatedly amending the Bill, costing the Government three weeks of delay.
But the PM ordered Parliament to sit late into the night to pass the legislation.
Mr Sunak said his patience with those blocking the Bill had “run thin”.
Ministers have faced questions about how quickly flights could take off after the Safety of Rwanda Bill was passed.
What is the Rwanda plan?
What is the Rwanda plan?
Under the plan, anyone who arrives in Britain illegally will be deported to Rwanda, a country in eastern Africa.
The government believes the threat of being removed to Rwanda will deter migrants from making the dangerous Channel crossing in small boats.
Once in Rwanda, their asylum claims will be processed but there is no route back to the UK, save for some exceptional circumstances such as individual safety concerns. Britain will pay for migrants to start a new life in Rwanda.
Assuring the groundwork has been done, he said Government teams "are working flat out to deliver this genuine game changer".
That includes increasing detention capacity to 2,200 spaces, training 200 caseworkers, identifying 150 judges and freeing up 25 courtrooms.
The Bill overcomes the objections of the Supreme Court by forcing judges to deem Rwanda as a safe country for asylum seekers.
It allows ministers to ignore last-minute wrecking injunctions from the European Court of Human Rights.
The "parliamentary ping pong" - the process whereby the Bill is batted between the Commons and the Lords - will continue until they can agree the final wording.
It comes as the latest Betfair odds suggest that despite the Rwanda Bill passing, Labour is still the favourite to win at the polls.
Current odds are:
Labour majority - 1/7
Labour minority - 17/1
Labour/Lib Dem coalition - 24/1
Conservative majority - 41/1
Labour/SNP coalition - 54/1
Conservative minority - 29/1
Sam Rosbottom, Betfair spokesperson, said: “Rishi’s long battle to get his flagship Rwanda policy onto the books is now finally won, but he has a bigger battle on the horizon.
“The odds for a July election are now just 3/1 - five times more likely than they were only yesterday. November remains the favourite, but July has been heavily backed in the last 24 hours.
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“Betfair Exchange punters appear to be banking on an emboldened PM viewing a summer election as his best bet for clinging to power. Time will tell, and that is the one thing the PM is running out of.”