JUST five failed asylum seekers have been sent to Rwanda as Sir Keir Starmer prepares to end the scheme.
They are likely to be the only migrants leaving the country under this policy – at a cost to the taxpayer of £74 million per head.
Labor has promised to scrap the plan “on day one” if it wins today.
The Sun previously revealed two people had accepted an offer of £3,000 to fly commercial flights under a voluntary departure scheme.
And now three more have followed suit to the East African country.
Although their departure fits into Rwanda’s plan, it is different from the deportation of small migrants on boats that were unable to take off.
In March, the Home Office revealed that the voluntary route was for anyone without a right to be in Britain – with hostels set up for asylum seekers deported from Rwanda.
More than 13,000 people have arrived on overcrowded boats since January.
The plan to relocate people cost at least £370 million, the National Audit Office says.
We revealed the plan was ready in April, but it was hampered by legal challenges and court orders.
It was thwarted by the House of Lords before Rishi Sunak finally managed to pass the Rwanda Security Bill in April.
But court documents show the earliest date migrants on small boats could be deported is July 24 – if Sunak wins.
Sir Keir argued that dismantling the Rwandan scheme will free up £75 million to crush gangs facilitating small boat crossings.
When the first migrant was transported to Rwanda in April, the Home Office said: “This agreement allows people without immigration status to be relocated to a safe third country.”
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