The UK government's £50 million plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda has been deemed a failure, with no individuals relocated despite the significant expenditure. According to a recent report, the UK Home Office data shows that not a single asylum seeker was transferred to Rwanda as part of the "migration and economic development partnership" between the two countries.

The report, which discloses the entire £715 million spent on the migration effort in Kigali, reveals that Rwanda received £290 million since 2022 as part of the partnership. However, the £50 million in question was used to cover the expenses of escorts, planes, and airfield preparation and security for planned migrant deportations, with no tangible results.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated at the House of Commons that the deportation plan under former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak failed to make a dent in the problem it was trying to fix. She noted that in the two years the partnership was in place, just four volunteers were sent to Rwanda at a cost of £700 million, which included £290 million paid to the government in Kigali, and almost £300 million in staff, IT, and legal costs.

Cooper added that the result of that massive commitment of time and money was 84,000 people crossing the Channel from the day the deal was signed to the day it was scrapped. She described the plan as a "grotesque waste of money" that did not result in a single deportation or stop a single boat crossing the Channel.

In response, Home Secretary Chris Philp noted that a large number of individuals have made their way to the UK on small boats since the current administration took power. He stated that 20,110 people have made the dangerous, illegal, and unnecessary crossing in the 150 days since July 4, which is an 18 percent increase on the same 150 days last year, and a 64 percent increase on the 150 days immediately prior to the election.

The goal of the asylum program between the UK and Rwanda was to discourage individuals from illegally migrating to the UK, particularly on small boats, and to impede smuggling activities. The plan was also intended to ensure that those who agree to go to Rwanda would be financially compensated, with asylum applicants eligible to receive up to £3,000 ($3,836) from the British government in exchange for moving to Rwanda.

However, the failure of the plan raises questions about the effectiveness of such initiatives in addressing the complex issue of asylum seekers and illegal migration. The UK government's decision to cancel the initiative this summer suggests that alternative solutions are being explored, but the details of these plans remain unclear.

The story highlights the challenges faced by governments in addressing the pressing issue of asylum seekers and illegal migration, and the need for more effective and sustainable solutions that prioritize the safety and dignity of all individuals involved.