Rwanda deportation flights expected to take off ‘within weeks, declares Health Secretary
RWANDA deportation flights are expected to take off “within weeks”, a Cabinet minister declared.
Victoria Atkins said the Home Office is “ready to go” in implementing the scheme.
But she declined to say whether an airline to carry illegal migrants to Kigali has been found.
PM Rishi Sunak has repeatedly said removal flights would take to the air by spring without setting a specific date.
He has also been tight-lipped about which airline will operate his flagship policy.
Health Secretary Ms Atkins told Sky News: “We want them to take off as quickly as possible. We very much plan to have it within weeks.”
Asked if the Government had an air carrier ready yet, Ms Atkins said: “The Home Office is working on this, and so believe you me, the Home Office is ready to go.”
It comes after reports Rwanda’s state-owned airline turned down the Government’s offer to transport asylum seekers as it wanted to avoid being associated with the policy.
Tory Party deputy chair Rachel Maclean said she is “sure” ministers will have a “carrier in place”.
The former Home Office minister told Times Radio: “This is all part of operationalising the plan. We need this plan to have the deterrent effect.”
The Rwanda Bill, which seeks to overcome the Supreme Court block on flights, returns to Parliament tomorrow.
Ministers believe it could pass by the end of the week.
But charities supporting asylum seekers are already said to be gearing up to launch legal challenges against the scheme.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “Our spring timeline has not changed.
“Once the Safety Of Rwanda Bill And Treaty are in place, we will get flights off the ground as soon as possible.”