Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether, in developing their policy of deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda, they made an assessment of the health priorities in that country, and if so, what they are.
Answered by Lord Sharpe of Epsom - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
Our analysis of the country situation drew on a wide range of evidence gathered through both desk-based research and country visits. We collected information on economic indicators including the opportunities and support available to refugees seeking employment, together with information on Rwanda’s health system, including its accessibility to refugees.
The information was carefully selected in accordance with internationally established country-of-origin information research methods and includes content from a variety of reliable sources such as media outlets, governmental sources and local, national and international organisations.
I cannot comment on other international relations with Rwanda.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government which other countries deem Rwanda to be a safe country for the purposes of asylum.
Answered by Lord Sharpe of Epsom - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
Our analysis of the country situation drew on a wide range of evidence gathered through both desk-based research and country visits. We collected information on economic indicators including the opportunities and support available to refugees seeking employment, together with information on Rwanda’s health system, including its accessibility to refugees.
The information was carefully selected in accordance with internationally established country-of-origin information research methods and includes content from a variety of reliable sources such as media outlets, governmental sources and local, national and international organisations.
I cannot comment on other international relations with Rwanda.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to ensure the safety of any LGBTQIA+ asylum seekers who are transferred to Rwanda.
Answered by Lord Sharpe of Epsom - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
There are binding provisions in the Rwanda Treaty which place obligations on the Government of Rwanda to provide, for those relocated under the Partnership, support and accommodation in line with international legal standards. Protection from discrimination is enshrined within the Rwandan constitution. Rwanda does not criminalise or discriminate against sexual orientation in either law or policy.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government why the UK abstained in the UN General Assembly vote on resolution A/RES/ES-10/22 on a ceasefire in Gaza.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are gravely concerned about the desperate situation in Gaza. The scale of civilian deaths and displacement in Gaza cannot continue. We have been consistent in supporting a sustainable ceasefire, but we abstained as the resolution as it did not condemn the atrocities Hamas committed against Israeli civilians on 7 October. Israel has a right to self-defence and must address the threat posed by Hamas while upholding International Humanitarian Law. We continue to press both at the UN and directly with Israel for unhindered humanitarian access and substantive, repeated humanitarian pauses to allow for this to happen.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what UK funding has been provided to local communities in France to mitigate the economic impact of illegal crossings of the English Channel.
Answered by Lord Sharpe of Epsom - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
The UK and France maintain a longstanding relationship on tackling illegal migration.
Since signing the Sandhurst Treaty in 2018 with France the UK has provided almost €500 million in funding to support our joint work to tackle small boats crossings.
UK funding supports French authorities to mitigate the impact of illegal crossings on local communities in northern France, for example by providing port security infrastructure and funding additional law enforcement personnel to manage the presence of migrants attempting to cross the Channel by small boat in the local area.
UK-France cooperation to tackle small boats has resulted in over 25,000 small boats crossings prevented so far this year, with overall small boats arrivals down by over a third compared to 2022.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government through which assessment mechanism or framework they have deemed Rwanda a safe country.
Answered by Lord Sharpe of Epsom - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
We had previously undertaken an analysis of the country situation, drawing on a wide range of publicly available evidence from a variety of reliable sources about Rwanda’s asylum system and human rights situation. Evidence was also obtained from the FCDO and from visits undertaken by the team responsible for Country Policy and Information Notes (CPIN). Information gathering was done in accordance with internationally established country-of-origin information research methods.
This was supplemented with updated evidence since summer 2022, including in respect of the strengthening of Rwanda’s systems and the new treaty signed on 5 December. The treaty between the UK and Rwanda, alongside the evidence of changes in Rwanda, will enable Parliament to conclude that Rwanda is safe. The new Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill will provide Parliament with the opportunity to do so. Further information can be found in our published policy statement: Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill: policy statement.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the costs incurred to date of the asylum transfer scheme with Rwanda.
Answered by Lord Sharpe of Epsom - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
The UK has provided Rwanda with an initial investment of £120m into its economic development and growth as part of the Economic Transformation and Integration Fund (ETIF). Investment has been focused in areas such as education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, and job creation. A separate payment of £20m in advance of flights was also paid last year to support initial set up costs for the relocation of individuals. Beyond this, spend will be reported as part of the annual Home Office Reports and Accounts in the usual way.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many asylum seekers are currently housed on the Bibby Stockholm; and for how long they intend for asylum seekers to be housed there.
Answered by Lord Sharpe of Epsom - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
The capacity of the Bibby Stockholm is around 500 people. The number of asylum seekers onboard the vessel at any one time is likely to vary due to a number of factors.
Numbers will increase in a phased approach as part of a carefully structured plan. We are conscious of the need to manage arrivals in a way that local services can support.
We are assessing how long asylum seekers will be accommodated. The maximum expected length of stay on the vessel is likely to be up to 9 months. This will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with governments of countries other than Rwanda about the transfer of asylum seekers.
Answered by Lord Sharpe of Epsom - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
We are unable to comment on discussions or negotiations that may be being held with other countries.
Asked by: Lord Roberts of Llandudno (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government which Ministers, MPs, special advisers and other officials accompanied the Secretary of State for the Home Department on her visit to Washington for her speech to the American Enterprise Institute on 26 September.
Answered by Lord Sharpe of Epsom - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
The Home Secretary was accompanied by two Special Advisers, one Private Secretary, three policy officials and two members of the comms team.