The cost of sending just one person seeking asylum to Rwanda could be £169,000, according to an analysis by the government that immediately reignited bitter rows over the controversial scheme.
But a long-awaited "impact assessment" of the illegal migration bill has conceded that ministers do not know for sure the overall costs of implementing plans to detain and deport anyone who arrives by irregular means in the UK.
The disclosure comes at the start of a pivotal week for the government's flagship policy, which is meant to "stop the boats" - one of Rishi Sunak's key pledges.
Peers have already threatened to derail the bill when it returns to the upper chamber tomorrow. Then, on Thursday, the court of appeal is expected to rule on whether it is legal to deport people seeking asylum, including women and children, to Rwanda. Enver Solomon, the chief executive of the Refugee Council, said the government's financial assessment failed to evaluate the true costs and consequences of the government's proposed legislation.
"If enacted in its current form, the bill would leave tens of thousands of refugees unable to access the protection they are entitled to under international law. It would cause hardship, cost billions of pounds, and do nothing to alleviate the current crisis and pressures within the asylum system," he said.
Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin June 27, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin June 27, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
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