Michael Tomlinson, Home Office minister, told the Commons on Monday that the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill was “an essential element” of protecting the UK’s borders.
The shadow Home Office minister said the government must have “due regard” for the Supreme Court ruling and claimed Conservative MPs were pushing through “absurd legislation” that is “frankly turning our institutions into a laughing stock”.
Labour backbencher Neil Coyle asked whether Mr Tomlinson was aware of the National Audit Office findings showing that the scheme could cost taxpayers nearly £2m for each of the first 300 asylum seekers sent to Rwanda.
Tory backbencher Richard Graham replied that critics of the cost “entirely miss the point” that it would act as a “huge disincentive” to those wishing to enter the UK without genuine reason.
However Robert Buckland, a former justice secretary, was one of a few Conservative rebels to support some of the Lords’ amendments, saying he was concerned about “creating legal friction” over whether Rwanda was and continued to be a safe destination.
Sir Robert was also keen to stress his support for an amendment exempting those who had helped the UK’s armed forces, such as Afghan translators, from deportation to Rwanda.
The original article contains 535 words, the summary contains 201 words. Saved 62%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!
This is the best summary I could come up with:
Michael Tomlinson, Home Office minister, told the Commons on Monday that the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill was “an essential element” of protecting the UK’s borders.
The shadow Home Office minister said the government must have “due regard” for the Supreme Court ruling and claimed Conservative MPs were pushing through “absurd legislation” that is “frankly turning our institutions into a laughing stock”.
Labour backbencher Neil Coyle asked whether Mr Tomlinson was aware of the National Audit Office findings showing that the scheme could cost taxpayers nearly £2m for each of the first 300 asylum seekers sent to Rwanda.
Tory backbencher Richard Graham replied that critics of the cost “entirely miss the point” that it would act as a “huge disincentive” to those wishing to enter the UK without genuine reason.
However Robert Buckland, a former justice secretary, was one of a few Conservative rebels to support some of the Lords’ amendments, saying he was concerned about “creating legal friction” over whether Rwanda was and continued to be a safe destination.
Sir Robert was also keen to stress his support for an amendment exempting those who had helped the UK’s armed forces, such as Afghan translators, from deportation to Rwanda.
The original article contains 535 words, the summary contains 201 words. Saved 62%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!