Guardian understands dozens of detentions have taken place across the UK this week, prompting demonstrations

The timing of the announcement on the Rwanda scheme, which is estimated to cost more than £500m over five years, has prompted scorn Labour.

A party source said: “Is there any more blatant sign that [former immigration minister Robert] Jenrick was right about this all being symbolic before an election than this mad flurry of stories?

“The core substance though hasn’t changed. This is a tiny scheme at an extortionate cost and the criminal gangs will see through this con.”

Downing Street categorically denied this. The prime minister’s press secretary said: “From our part there isn’t really a day to lose when people are dying in the Channel having been induced into boats by gangs.

  • @thehatfoxEnglish
    4•5 months ago

    The right-leaning people I know mostly think the Rwanda policy is performative and futile. They want stronger border controls but don’t seem convinced by this approach.

    Opinion polls apparently put support for it at around ~40%, but that was only when the policy was still hypothetical.