Asylum seekers would be housed in a village near York under government plans revealed today (Thursday).
The village said to have been chosen is Linton-on-Ouse.
Radical new proposals would see asylum seekers who cross the Channel in small boats first flown for processing in Rwanda.
Some of those who make the perilous crossing of the Channel, as well as by other means deemed “illegal” by the Government, would be sent more than 4,000 miles to Rwanda while their claims are assessed “offshore”.
Asylum seekers who remain in the UK while their claims are considered could be housed in stricter reception centres under the plans. The first will reportedly open in the village of Linton-on-Ouse.
An initial £120 million is expected to be given to the Rwandan government under a trial scheme, which is being criticised by refugee charities as a “cruel and nasty decision” that will fail to address the issue and “lead to more human suffering and chaos”.
Labour accused Boris Johnson of trying to distract from being fined for breaching coronavirus laws with “unworkable, unethical and extortionate” plans.
The Prime Minister is set to argue in a speech on Thursday that action is needed to combat the “vile people smugglers” turning the ocean into a “watery graveyard”.
Ms Patel is then expected to set out further details of a “migration and economic development partnership” with Rwanda, during a visit to the capital of Kigali.
It is thought the asylum seekers will be encouraged to relocate and rebuild their lives in Rwanda, rather than the UK, with more information on how the arrangement will work anticipated in the coming days.
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