- Victoria Atkins anticipates Rwanda plan launch in “weeks”
- Carrier for asylum seekers uncertain; delays in deportation initiative
- Challenges persist in securing airlines for contentious deportation strategy
Victoria Atkins estimated that the Rwanda plan would be operational “within weeks,” but she was unable to confirm whether or not an airline had been secured to charter the aircraft.
A minister of the cabinet refrained from confirming whether an airline has been secured to transport asylum seekers to Rwanda, despite implying that the initiative will be operational “within weeks.”
Health Secretary Victoria Atkins stated, “We desire for these flights to commence without delay… We have every intention of obtaining it within the next few weeks.
When asked if the government has a carrier at this time, Ms Atkins responded, “The Home Office is currently developing one; therefore, rest assured, the Home Office is prepared to proceed.”
“They haven’t got one, have they?” Phillips inquired.
Ms. Atkins stated, “With the reduction of small boat crossings by one-third over the past year, we have made significant strides forward, but this is only a component of our larger strategy to reduce illegal migration.”
Reportedly, the government is having difficulty locating a carrier to transport migrants to Rwanda due to the reluctance of airlines to associate themselves with the contentious initiative.
Since then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the deportation policy two years ago, a sequence of setbacks has prevented the shipment of any individuals to the East African nation.
Last November, the Supreme Court rendered an unlawful verdict regarding the plan. In an attempt to resolve the concerns raised by the judges, Rishi Sunak introduced a bill that has encountered strong opposition, particularly within the House of Lords.
The feasibility of the initiative was further called into question when The Times reported last week that the majority of properties on a newly developed housing estate in Rwanda, which had been designated for migrants, had been purchased by local purchasers.
Mr Sunak has maintained that flights will commence in the spring, but he refused to specify a date last week.
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The Safety of Rwanda Bill, which seeks to statutorily declare Rwanda a secure nation, will be readmitted to parliament on Monday. During that time, members of parliament will commence deliberating amendments proposed by members of the House of Lords, who advocate for the implementation of additional safeguards.
A protracted parliamentary “ping pong” between the two chambers may occur regarding the legislation should peers choose to maintain their position.
Mr Sunak is under pressure to implement the plan before the upcoming general election, which is anticipated to occur in the latter part of this year.
The government’s pledge to “stop the boats” is regarded as central to the Rwanda plan, on which Mr Sunak has staked his premiership.
For the first time, the number of individuals who entered the United Kingdom via small vessels traversing the Channel surpassed 5,000 by the conclusion of March.
Before this, the highest-ever January-March total was 4,548 in 2022, compared to 3,793 arrivals in the first quarter of the previous year.
Sky Mobile resumes after five-hour outage, frustrating customers
