Boris Johnson promises to ‘set record straight’ on Partygate fine in parliament next week
Boris Johnson’s government’s plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda will save the UK money in the “long term”, a minister has insisted after reports suggested it would cost an “eyewatering” £30,000 per person.
Responding to criticism from fellow Tory MP Andrew Mitchell, who said it would be “cheaper to place asylum seekers in the Ritz”, minister Tom Pursglove defended the proposals, which critics have branded “inhumane” and “unworkable”.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “As we move forward, we will continue to make contributions to Rwanda as they process the cases, in a manner that is similar to the amount of money we are spending on this currently here in the UK.
“But longer term, by getting this under control, it should help us to save money. We are spending £5m per day accommodating individuals who are crossing in hotels. That is not sustainable and is not acceptable and we have to get that under control.”
ICYMI: Rwandan asylum seeker plan ‘immoral and impractical’, former Tory cabinet minister says
Boris Johnson’s multi-million pound deal to send asylum seekers to Rwanda while their claims are processed has been condemned as “immoral”, “impractical”, and will involve “astronomic” costs.
Ashley Cowburn has more below:
Matt Mathers15 April 2022 16:00
Home Office declines to say whether objections were raised by top civil servant over Rwanda asylum policy
It comes after the plan — unveiled by Boris Johnson and Priti Patel on Thursday — provoked a fierce response from charities and claims it could cost taxpayers between £20,000 and £30,000…
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