UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer has officially declared the controversial Rwanda deportation scheme “dead and buried.” Starmer’s announcement came during a press conference at 10 Downing Street, where he addressed the media for the first time since assuming the role of Prime Minister.
The Labour leader campaigned on a manifesto pledge to scrap the scheme, which was introduced by the previous Conservative government. The policy aimed to deport migrants arriving in the UK illegally to Rwanda, a move that sparked intense criticism from human rights groups and opposition parties. Labour has promised to replace the policy with a more effective and humane approach to tackling illegal immigration.
While the exact financial implications of scrapping the scheme remain unclear, Starmer argued that the Rwanda plan had already cost the UK around £310m and had failed to act as a deterrent, as it would only deport “less than 1%” of small boat arrivals. The decision to end the policy leaves the fate of the 52,000 migrants earmarked for deportation uncertain.
