Rwanda Asylum Deal To Cost UK Taxpayers Half A Billion Pounds By 2026

The National Audit Office found that the Home Office has already paid Rwanda £220 million as part of the initial agreement signed in April. Under the terms of the deal, Britain will pay Rwanda £120 million once the first 300 asylum seekers have been relocated.

In addition, removing asylum seekers to Rwanda is estimated to cost £11,000 per person. With plans to relocate thousands of people over the coming years, these relocation costs will add significantly to the overall bill. By 2026, the total cost of the Rwanda asylum deal is projected to reach £500 million.

Criticism Of The Costs

The large price tag attached to the Rwanda asylum deal has drawn widespread criticism. Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper claimed that based on the cost projections, each asylum seeker relocated will end up costing UK taxpayers over £2 million. Cooper argued that the “shocking” costs revealed in the report show that the Rwanda asylum deal is an expensive failure.

Other critics have also questioned whether it represents value for money to spend such vast sums on a policy intended to deter asylum applications. With costs mounting, there are concerns that the Rwanda asylum deal may end up being more expensive than simply processing asylum claims in the UK. However, supporters of the deal argue that it is necessary to gain control over the country’s borders.

The Home Office defended the Rwanda asylum deal, arguing that it is needed to combat the activities of people-smuggling networks and stem the flow of dangerous Channel crossings. A Home Office spokesperson said the costs of the agreement should be seen in the context of what is spent every year accommodating asylum seekers in the UK. While the policy is highly controversial, the government maintains that the Rwanda asylum deal is a legitimate approach to reforming the broken asylum system.

With the first deportation flight cancelled after legal challenges, it remains unclear how many asylum seekers will actually be relocated to Rwanda under the terms of the agreement. Further court hearings over the legality of the Rwanda asylum deal are expected in the coming months. In the meantime, taxpayers will continue to foot a rising bill for the costly policy.