Rwanda has initiated a claim against the UK for over £100 million, asserting that Britain owes this sum related to a migrant deportation deal that was scrapped by the Labour government after coming to power in 2024. This legal action is being presented at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, where Rwanda underscores the financial obligations stemming from an agreement that had been previously established by the Conservative government under Rishi Sunak.

The original deportation scheme was designed to manage the influx of asylum seekers by processing their claims in Rwanda, thereby relieving pressure on the UK immigration system. The agreement included financial provisions to support Rwanda in accommodating the migrants. During the lead-up to the 2024 general election, the Conservative government had already allocated significant funds to this initiative, totaling approximately £700 million on this contentious immigration policy.

The outcome of this arbitration could have implications for UK-Rwanda relations, particularly in the context of international agreements on immigration and refugee management. The Labour government’s decision to terminate the deal has sparked considerable political debate within the UK, with potential consequences for future government policies regarding asylum seekers and broader immigration reform.