Home Secretary James Cleverly Claims Success of Rwanda Scheme

The UK's policy of deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda is already proving to be a deterrent for others planning to come to the country, according to Home Secretary James Cleverly. He stated that asylum seekers arriving in the UK have informed the Home Office that potential migrants have chosen not to come due to the Rwanda scheme. Cleverly emphasized his determination to stop illegal migration and work with international partners to break the business model of people smugglers.

Supreme Court Ruling and New Treaty with Rwanda

In November, the Supreme Court ruled that the Rwanda policy was unlawful. In response, Prime Minister Boris Johnson signed a new treaty with Rwanda and introduced legislation designating it as a safe country. The proposed Safety of Rwanda Bill moved a step closer to becoming law, but further opposition from backbenchers is expected during later parliamentary stages.

Government's Commitment to Clear Backlog of Asylum Cases

The Prime Minister had promised to clear the backlog of asylum applications and remove older asylum applications by the end of 2023. While figures published by the Home Office show progress, with 98,599 applications awaiting a decision, Cleverly faced criticism from Labour for claiming the government had fully met its target on legacy cases. The Home Secretary clarified that all applications have been processed, but further checks and additional work are required for some complex cases.

Overall Asylum Backlog and Future Plans

The overall backlog of asylum cases, including both legacy and non-legacy cases, has decreased by 29% since its peak in February 2023, standing at 98,599 at the end of December. The non-legacy backlog, covering applications made on or after June 28, 2022, increased by 3% from November to December. The government remains committed to processing the remaining cases and addressing the issue of illegal migration.