Today: 26 July 2025
9 January 2024
2 mins read

Sunak clears the air on Rwanda plan  

However, he did not rule out having voiced concerns about the cost of sending asylum seekers to the east African country when at the Treasury…reports Asian Lite News

Ruling out that he had doubts on the Rwanda plan as Chancellor, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said it was his job to ensure value for money on every proposal while he was in the Treasury.

According to The Evening Standard, Sunak said it was “wrong” to infer that he did not back the scheme to stop channel crossing, following a BBC report, which said he was not convinced of the plan’s effectiveness.

Citing No 10 papers from March 22, the BBC said last week that Sunak was also concerned about the cost of sending asylum seekers to Africa and wanted to limit the numbers.

Sunak said he has not seen the documents the report was based on as he appeared on the BBC on Sunday.

However, he did not rule out having voiced concerns about the cost of sending asylum seekers to the east African country when at the Treasury.

“My job (was) to ask probing questions of every proposal that crossed my desk as chancellor,” the Conservative Party leader told the BBC.

“You should always ask probing questions, you should always approach things from a position of scepticism to ensure that you get value for money for taxpayers.

“But to infer from that that I don’t believe in the scheme or the principle of deterrence is wrong. I was doing my job to get good value for money for taxpayers,” the Prime Minister added.

The documents had said that as Chancellor, Sunak felt “hotels are cheaper” than reception centres to house migrants, and was reluctant to fund “Greek-style reception centres” at a cost of 3.5 million pounds per day.

The Rwanda plan, launched in April 2022 by then Prime Minister Boris Johnson, became the core of Sunak’s policy to stop the boats — one of five key priorities, which he set out to achieve when he became the premier in October the same year.

Calling the British Government to publish the No 10 papers, Labour MP Yvette Cooper said: “It is time the Tory Government was honest with the public, and publish both the papers outlining Rishi Sunak’s concerns and the full details of the cost of the scheme.”

ALSO READ-Cameron throws weight behind Rwanda Bill  

Previous Story

Met Office issues new ice warning in UK

Next Story

‘Record British ethnic minority MPs to sit in Commons’

Latest from -Top News

Hamas Reiterates Peace Effort After U.S. Jab

Hamas Reaffirms Commitment to Ceasefire Talks After U.S. Criticism…reports Asian Lite News Hamas on Friday reiterated its commitment to the ongoing ceasefire negotiations, responding to remarks by U.S. Special Envoy to the

Dubai turns malls Into fitness zones

Dubai’s Mallathon reimagines shopping centres as fitness zones, encouraging residents of all ages to walk, run, and connect—fostering healthier habits in air-conditioned comfort….reports Asian Lite News In a bold move to blend

Riyadh welcomes Paris pivot to Palestine

Move stirs global response as Macron breaks G7 ranks; Israel and US condemn recognition bid amid Gaza war…reports Asian Lite News Saudi Arabia has welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron’s pledge to officially

‘UN-OIC unity key to peace push’

Khaled Khiari, particularly highlighted the convergence of UN and OIC efforts in the Middle East, especially in seeking a just, comprehensive resolution to the Palestine question…reports Asian Lite News The United Nations

UAE talks big at global SDG meet

The forum provided a platform for the UAE to highlight its pioneering role in accelerating progress toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals..reports Asian Lite News The United Arab Emirates reaffirmed its global
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Sunak Concedes, Acknowledges Tough Night for Tories

Keir Starmer-led Labour Party remained on course for a landslide

Elections will be held in autumn, says Sunak

Sunak dangled the prospect of future tax cuts to voters