Rwanda Sues UK Over Terminated Migrant Deal Payments

The Rwandan government has initiated legal action against the United Kingdom at the Netherlands-based Permanent Court of Arbitration. Rwanda asserts that the UK has not fulfilled its financial obligations under a previously agreed-upon migrant deal.

This deal, established by the prior Conservative government, involved the UK making payments to Rwanda for hosting asylum seekers and supporting its economy. However, following Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's decision to terminate the agreement in 2024, the Home Office indicated that £220 million in "scheduled future payments will not have to be paid" to Rwanda.

UK to "Robustly Defend" Position

A spokesperson for the UK government stated that it would "robustly defend" its position, characterizing the Rwanda scheme as a "complete disaster" that resulted in £700 million of taxpayer expenditure for the transfer of only four individuals.

The UK government characterizes the Rwanda scheme as a "complete disaster" that resulted in £700 million of taxpayer expenditure for the transfer of only four individuals.

Rwanda Cites "Specific Commitments"

The Rwandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs directed inquiries to a New Times article, which confirmed that the arbitration concerns "the performance of specific commitments under the treaty."

Cost of the Rwanda Policy

The former Conservative government spent approximately £700 million on the Rwanda policy, which aimed to deter migrants crossing the English Channel. This sum included £290 million directly paid to Rwanda.

In December 2024, the Home Office projected that an additional £100 million would have been due under the treaty for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 financial years, alongside £120 million upon the transfer of 300 people. The deal contained a clause allowing either party to terminate the agreement by written notice.