Rwanda scheme slammed as 'unworkable, expensive scam'

His comments follow publication of a report by the National Audit Office (NAO), which found that the policy could cost the taxpayer £600 million pounds to deport 300 refugees.

Under the policy, asylum seekers who arrive in the UK in small boats would be sent to Rwanda.

In addition to the £220 million Britain has already paid Rwanda, the government has agreed to pay an extra £150 million over the next three years, and £120 million once the first 300 asylum seekers have been resettled. The British government will also have to pay Rwanda a further £150,874 to cover costs for each individual resettled, the spending watchdog said in the most detailed financial assessment of the policy so far. When other costs such as flights are factored in, the policy would come to more than £600 million.

Commenting, Martyn Day, MP for Linlithgow and East Falkirk, said “The Tories Rwanda policy is an unworkable, expensive sham. It shows a callous disregard for human rights, is incompatible with the ECHR, and reneges on our obligations under international law.

“The UK Government should drop its hostile environment approach and start living up to its international responsibilities towards asylum seekers, or if it will not, consider devolving the necessary immigration powers to Scotland to allow the Scottish Government to build an immigration system with fairness and compassion at its centre.”

So far, no asylum seekers have been sent to Rwanda due to ongoing legal challenges.