Third Special Report - UK-Rwanda treaty: provision of an asylum report: Government Response to the Committee’s second report

This is the government's response, published 26 January 2024.

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The Home Secretary responds that the Safety of Rwanda Bill, building on the treaty, will let Parliament confirm Rwanda as a safe country, and says the Government places great importance on parliamentary scrutiny rather than agreeing to a separate treaty debate.

• On the Supreme Court judgment, the response says changes have been made to address its conclusions, "with a view to commencing flights as soon as possible".
• The Bill will prevent UK courts and tribunals from delaying removal on grounds of onward removal to an unsafe country in general, while decision makers "will still be able to consider evidence relating specifically to a person's individual circumstances".
• On the treaty, the Government "will meet its obligations" under the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act; the 21-sitting-day period is due to end 31 January, assuming no disruption to the sitting schedule, in which case the date "may fluctuate".
• On the recommendation to provide time for a Commons debate on the treaty, the response does not commit to one, saying scrutiny has been provided through the Bill, which is "intrinsically linked" to the treaty, including two days of Committee stage.

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