Verdict Expected Next Week
The Supreme Court will announce its decision on the government's controversial plan to deport migrants to Rwanda next week. The judgement is set to be delivered on Wednesday shortly after 10am, and will determine the fate of the £140 million scheme.
Government Challenges Court of Appeal Decision
The Supreme Court's ruling comes after the government appealed against a previous Court of Appeal decision that declared the deportation policy unlawful.
No Deportation Flights Yet
Despite the deal being signed in April 2022, no deportation flights have taken place. Home Secretary Suella Braverman has stated that it is currently "impossible" to provide a timeline for flights until the court ruling is made.
Prime Minister's Prioritization of Illegal Migration
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has made tackling illegal migration one of his top priorities. In a speech earlier this year, he expressed his aim to "stop the boats." While the number of asylum seekers coming to the UK has decreased by approximately 20%, there are still nearly 26,700 migrants seeking asylum.
Legal Arguments
The Home Office's representative, Sir James Eadie KC, argued during the hearing that the policy to deport individuals to a country that is "less attractive" than the UK but still deemed safe is lawful. On the other hand, Raza Husain KC, representing several asylum seekers, criticized the UK's asylum system as "woefully deficient" and characterized it as unfair and arbitrary.
