Sir Keir Starmer's plan to deport migrants to Rwanda suffered a fresh blow as two more flights took off empty, raising questions about the effectiveness of the government's strategy. The flights, which were scheduled to carry asylum seekers to the African nation, departed without any passengers on board, marking the latest setback for the policy.
The development comes amid ongoing legal challenges and logistical hurdles that have plagued the scheme since its announcement. Critics argue that the plan is unworkable and costly, while the government maintains it is essential to deter illegal crossings of the English Channel.
More than 150,000 migrants have crossed the Channel since records began in 2018, according to PA news agency analysis. The number of arrivals has surged in recent years, with 28,526 recorded in 2021 alone, despite government efforts to stem the flow.
Home Office officials have declined to comment on the empty flights, but sources indicate that legal issues and last-minute appeals prevented removals. The government has vowed to press ahead with the policy, which it says is a key part of its plan to tackle illegal immigration.
Opposition MPs have seized on the failure, calling for a rethink of the strategy. Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the government should focus on cracking down on people-smuggling gangs rather than pursuing 'unworkable gimmicks'.
