Rwanda ‘fiasco’ may find yourself costing £2million per individual bombshell figures present
Taxpayers may find yourself shelling out almost £2million for each individual the Tories ship to Rwanda, bombshell figures present.
Rishi Sunak faces calls to account for the “fiasco” as a brand new examine discovered the size of charges and add-ons agreed by ministers for the asylum scheme – regardless that nobody has been despatched there.
The UK has agreed handy over £370million over 5 years – a sum that can rise by an additional £120million as soon as 300 persons are despatched. The National Audit Office (NAO) additionally discovered the Government has dedicated to paying an add-on of £20,000 per asylum seeker despatched to Rwanda. Meanwhile “processing and operational” prices – which embody paying for meals and training – may attain over £150,000 for every individual over 5 years.
On prime of that, flights will price round £11,000 per individual, the NAO discovered. And its report into the price of the mission discovered different direct prices linked to the scheme will attain £28million by April.
It will even price £12.6million to coach escorts in 2024/25, it mentioned. It comes as Home Office figures yesterday (THUR) confirmed greater than 128,000 individuals have been ready for an preliminary choice on their asylum software on the finish of final 12 months.
Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper mentioned: “This report reveals the national scandal the Tories have been trying to hide. Its shocking analysis shows the costs of the failed Rwanda farce are even higher than previously thought.
“In order to send less than 1% of UK asylum seekers to Rwanda on a few symbolic flights, the taxpayer will be forced fork out over half a billion pounds – with no ability to recover any of the money already sent. This is the equivalent of nearly £2m per person sent.”
She added: “Rishi Sunak has staked his position on this scheme. He must account for this fiasco.” The NAO report was requested by two Commons committees after MPs complained the cost of the asylum deal was being kept secret. Experts said they cannot judge whether it is value for money, as the Government argues savings will come because migrants will be put off coming to the UK.
Dame Diana Johnson, who chairs the Home Affairs Select Committee, said: “These are staggering figures. For all its rhetoric about ensuring value for money in the asylum and immigration system it is unclear how schemes such as Rwanda or Bibby Stockholm achieve that. Huge initial outlay and ongoing costs raise serious questions about how this can be cost effective, even compared to high hotel accommodation costs.”
She said there is “little evidence” that the scheme will result in fewer people crossing the Channel in small boats. So far the UK has paid £220million, plus a £20million advance payment – with a further £50million due in April.
A Home Office spokesman said: “It is vital we respond to illegal migration with bold, long-term solutions. Our Partnership with Rwanda offers just that.
“Doing nothing is not without significant costs. Unless we act, the cost of housing asylum seekers is set to reach £11 billion per year by 2026. Illegal migration costs lives and perpetuates human trafficking, and it is therefore right that we fund solutions to break this unsustainable cycle.
“We have a strong relationship with Rwanda and both sides remain absolutely determined to deliver on this Partnership. Once the Safety of Rwanda Bill and Treaty are in place, we will focus on getting flights off the ground.”
