Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has committed to scrapping the Rwanda deportation scheme immediately if his party wins the next general election. He criticized the policy as a costly gimmick that fails to address the core issues of the asylum system. Starmer's plan includes reallocating the funds from the scrapped scheme, estimated at £541 million over five years, to establish a new border security command. This unit will consist of specialist enforcement officers and investigators aimed at dismantling smuggling networks and strengthening border security. He has made it clear that no deportation flights to Rwanda would occur under a Labour government, describing the policy as an ineffective and expensive measure that merely enriches Rwanda's leadership.
I also pressed Keir Starmer on - what if - the Rwanda scheme is acting as a deterrent? What if he gets elected and it is working to stop people making those crossings? He made clear that, in any situation, he would scrap it.
EXCLUSIVE: No deportation flights to Rwanda will take off under a Labour government, Sir Keir Starmer has told Sky News' @BethRigby ⬇️ Read more https://t.co/GPa1QH1NY7
No deportation flights to Rwanda will take off under a Labour government, Sir Keir Starmer has told Sky News. He told @BethRigby "there'll be no flights" as he wants to "scrap the scheme". 🔗 https://t.co/TWH4qx0Oxd 📺 Sky 501 and YouTube https://t.co/yJhcLk06AN
Labour leader Keir Starmer vows to scrap Rwanda asylum scheme "straight away" if he wins election https://t.co/tAdhh7E4aS
NEW @skynews i/v with Starmer 🚨Starmer rules out ANY flights to Rwanda taking off under a Lab govt 🚨Elphicke defection. Is he ruthless? “Yes, I'm ruthless in trying to ensure we have a Lab govt 🚨 On election, Starmer refuses to rule out a coalition w Lib Dems https://t.co/ZZToukEX09
Keir Starmer says a Labour government would scrap the Rwanda scheme. But can he stop the boats? The West End Final newsletter by @jackkessler1 is out now https://t.co/GYDFwDGU6A
Keir Starmer vows to scrap Rwanda scheme on first day as PM as he blasts 'absolute waste of money' https://t.co/gs4BoNgLC9
Keir Starmer has pledged to stop Rwanda deportation flights & funding from scheme – estimated to cost £541m over five years – to create new border security command of specialist enforcement officers & investigators. Plus 👇🏼 Latest from @elenicourea https://t.co/zwNY8ZL7ww https://t.co/eEjnveE6QD
Starmer pledged a Labour Government will scrap the 'gimmick' money-wasting Rwanda policy and issued a direct warning to smuggling gangs: 'These shores will become hostile territory for you – we will find you' So, what is Labour's asylum plan? Read more: https://t.co/H0AzUDtEin
🔺 NEW: Sir Keir Starmer said he would scrap Rwanda flights immediately after entering Downing Street but that a Labour government would not bring back migrants already deported to the African country ⬇️ https://t.co/tzHVujfGae
BREAKING: Sir Keir Starmer has said he has no doubt the government will get flights off the ground to Rwanda but Labour would "cancel the scheme straight away" if they win the next general election Read more🔗 https://t.co/fkOLu9WaO2
'As far as Rwanda is concerned, we will cancel the scheme. We don't think the policy is going to work. I'm not interested. It is a gimmick.' Labour leader Keir Starmer says: "We're going to get rid of the policy straight away" https://t.co/ZZGCePHjvN 📺Sky 501 https://t.co/lKBL27kY77
'We will end this farce, we will restore serious government to our borders, tackle this problem at source, and replace the Rwanda policy permanently' @Keir_Starmer sets out how a Labour Government would 'smash' criminal smuggling gangs using counter-terror powers https://t.co/jRXfWMflgs
"We will cancel the scheme, we don't think the policy is going to work and we think it costs a fortune" Labour's Sir Keir Starmer calls the Rwanda scheme a "gimmick" https://t.co/PAiZ4D1jU3 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube https://t.co/VrzxAsG9iR
🔴 A Labour government would scrap Rwanda migrant deportation flights “straight away”, Sir Keir Starmer said Follow the latest ⤵️ https://t.co/X0rfEHOas1 https://t.co/pI5GczUpMC
"We are going to get rid of the policy straight away. I am not going to continue a policy that is expensive and doesn't work" Very good to hear @Keir_Starmer state unequivocally that he will ditch a flawed asylum policy simply pumping money into the pocket of Rwanda's dictator
Asked Starmer if he will stop the planes from day one: “We will scrap the Rwanda scheme. I said that to you when we last met last week…that means ending the scheme. Absolutely. Flights and all. It is not going to work. It is an absolute waste of money. It is a gimmick, not a…
Keir Starmer has been asked twice- what is his actual target on small boats- and will Rwanda flights stop on day 1 of a Labour government - says wants to bring numbers right down- would like it to stop- but doesn’t commit to that.
With @Keir_Starmer and @YvetteCooperMP, Labour will stop the chaos, bust the backlogs, and rebuild our broken asylum system. Funded by the money wasted on the Tories’ Rwanda gimmick. Read more 👇 https://t.co/F8BhFxuPj3
Keir Starmer sets out Labour's grand immigration plan as he slams Sunak's Rwanda 'gimmick' https://t.co/QMIltLSENg
New - Keir Starmer will rip up the government’s Rwanda scheme and divert £75m to tackle people-smuggling using new counter-terror powers Our story in tonight’s @guardian https://t.co/MvmaMUMssi
‘He is a dodgy salesman desperate to sell them a dud!’ Keir Starmer criticises action taken under the Conservatives to limit illegal migration, following Sunak declaring Rwanda flights will take off shortly. https://t.co/b45wV9CD7a
🚨 NEW: Keir Starmer claims the Rwanda policy would take over 300 years to remove the migrant backlog