'We will decide who comes here!' Sunak vows new migration crackdown as 'global instability' spirals
Rishi Sunak has vowed to deliver a final crackdown on migration, promising to deliver his long-awaited Rwanda migration scheme
Sunak acknowledged that tackling the small boats crisis is a 'top priority of the British people'
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Rishi Sunak has vowed to deliver a final crackdown on migration, promising to deliver his long-awaited Rwanda migration scheme.
Giving an introduction to the King's Speech, the Prime Minister said the Government is tackling "global drivers of instability", by taking "action at home and abroad to stop the boats and break the business model of people smugglers."
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Sunak acknowledged that tackling the small boats crisis is a "top priority of the British people", promising to "deliver" on the Government's Illegal Migration Act.
Delivering the first King's Speech to Parliament for more than 70 years, King Charles III said: "My Government will deliver on the Illegal Migration Act passed earlier this year and on international agreements, to stop dangerous and illegal Channel crossings and ensure it is the Government, not criminal gangs, who decides who comes to this country."
Putting law, order and national security at the heart of the speech, Sunak pledged to "champion security around the world".
Sunak reiterated previous pledges on migration, saying: "If you come here illegally, you will be swiftly detained and removed to your home country or a safe third country, such as Rwanda."
The PM added: "And it is why I have put illegal migration on the agenda at every international meeting from the G7 to the Council of Europe.
"These steps will make sure that it is the democratically elected government of this country who decides who comes here, not the criminal gangs".
The Government's plan to send migrants to third countries was announced in April 2022, but it has been bound up in legal challenges.
The plan was aimed at deterring people from arriving in the UK through "illegal, dangerous or unnecessary methods", primarily referring to small boat crossings of the English Channel.
Last year, more than 45,700 people arrived in the UK via small boat - the highest figure since records began.
Asylum charities have argued that the forced removal of asylum seekers to Rwanda is a breach of their human rights, with Asylum Aid warning: "The government’s planned forced removal of asylum seekers to Rwanda tramples over their rights and the rule of law."
The UK Supreme Court began its hearing to determine whether or not the Rwanda scheme will get the green light on 9 October.
This came after the Court of Appeal overturned an earlier High Court ruling that the Rwanda plan was lawful in June 2023.
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Judges ruled that Rwanda was not a safe third country as a result of "deficiencies" in its asylum system.
In September, Home Secretary Suella Braverman hinted at the idea of withdrawing from the ECHR, a move which could allow the Government to push through the Rwanda scheme.
If the court rules against the Government - ruling that deportations to Rwanda are unlawful - Sunak will face mounting pressure from the right wing of the Tory party to withdraw from the ECHR.
But this could trigger resignations from more moderate ministers in his cabinet, who do not support taking the nuclear option.
