House of Lords set to amend controversial safety of Rwanda Bill again

The UK’s political landscape is bracing for further turbulence as the Safety of Rwanda Bill, a key piece of legislation in Prime Minister Rishi Sunak‘s agenda, returns to the House of Lords. Following a successful defence in the House of Commons, where all ten amendments proposed by the Lords were overturned, Sunak’s government aims to implement the bill, designed to facilitate the deportation of asylum seekers to Rwanda. However, the upper chamber is expected to propose new amendments, potentially delaying the enactment of the controversial bill.

The Prime Minister’s commitment to launching flights to Kigali as part of the asylum seeker deportation plan could face significant setbacks if the Lords succeed in pushing through further changes. This development comes amid widespread criticism and legal challenges, with opponents arguing that the bill undermines human rights and international law obligations.

The government’s efforts to counteract amendments have been met with stern resistance, with Lords accusing ministers of attempting to “wreck” the legislation. The ongoing “ping-pong” between the Commons and Lords highlights the deep divisions within the UK’s political system over the approach to handling illegal migration and asylum-seeking.

Labour peers, along with other opponents of the bill, are gearing up to support approximately five amendments aimed at introducing additional protections for asylum seekers. Such efforts underscore the determination to challenge the government’s hardline stance on immigration, with some hoping to delay the bill’s passage until the next general election.

The Prime Minister maintains that the Rwanda deportation plan is essential for deterring illegal migration, emphasizing the need for clear consequences for those arriving in the UK unlawfully. Yet, critics, including Labour’s shadow immigration minister Stephen Kinnock, argue that the bill and its associated costs represent a misallocation of resources and a moral failing.

As the Safety of Rwanda Bill undergoes further scrutiny in the Lords, the fate of Sunak’s deportation plan hangs in the balance. With significant opposition and the potential for prolonged parliamentary debate, the government’s ability to implement its immigration policy as intended remains uncertain.