In brief
The Rwandan government has taken legal action against the UK, claiming unpaid funds as part of a scrapped migrant deal aimed at alleviating asylum pressures. The case, filed with the Permanent Court of Arbitration, follows the UK government's decision under Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to terminate the agreement, which had promised significant payments to Rwanda. The UK Home Office dismisses the claims, stating that the previous government's policy was a misuse of taxpayer funds. The arbitration proceedings could drag on for years, with Rwanda seeking a legal resolution based on international law.
The Rwandan government has launched legal action against the UK to seek payments it claims it is owed under a scrapped migrant deal between the two countries. Rwanda has filed a case with the Netherlands-based Permanent Court of Arbitration, arguing the UK has failed to honour commitments made in a deal to send some asylum seekers to the African nation. Under the deal, which was signed by the previous Conservative government, the UK agreed to make payments to Rwanda to host asylum seekers and support its economy.But after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer axed the deal in 2024, the Home Office said £220m in scheduled future payments will not have to be paid to Rwanda. A Home Office spokesperson stated: The previous government's Rwanda policy wasted vast sums of taxpayer time and money. We will robustly defend our position to protect British taxpayers. The Rwandan government has not responded to the BBC's requests for comment. However, a report in the New Times, a Rwandan newspaper, states that the arbitration seeks a legal determination of the parties' respective rights and obligations under the treaty.The previous Conservative government had spent some £700m on the Rwanda policy, intended to deter migrants from crossing the English Channel in small boats. However, only four volunteers were sent to Rwanda under the deal before it was terminated. In December 2024, the Home Office mentioned that £100m of additional payments would have been due under the treaty in the following financial years. Rwanda's chief technical adviser has indicated that the move to arbitration comes after diplomatic exchanges have been exhausted, emphasizing the need for a formal resolution through the PCA, which settles international disputes. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp criticized Labour's decision to scrap the policy, warning it could result in significant costs for British taxpayers.
