Sunak Admits to Questioning Cost-Effectiveness of Rwanda Scheme as Chancellor

Despite Previous Doubts, Prime Minister Now Champions Controversial Deportation Scheme Amid Legal Challenges and Party Criticism

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has admitted to questioning the cost-effectiveness of the Rwanda deportation scheme during his time as chancellor, but denies doubting its potential success.
Documents from March 2022 suggest Sunak wanted to limit the number of asylum seekers sent to Rwanda, indicating a belief that the scheme would not deter migrants.
Since becoming Prime Minister, Sunak has championed the scheme, despite it being stuck in legal gridlock and not a single flight having taken off since its announcement over 18 months ago.
Sunak is pushing for new legislation to strengthen the scheme's legal protections after the Supreme Court deemed it unlawful last year.
The Prime Minister has faced criticism from both sides of his party, with some arguing the scheme would break international law, while others fear it does not go far enough.