Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill undergoes further scrutiny in the Lords

The aim of the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill is to confirm Rwanda as a safe third country for the removal of people entering the UK under new immigration laws, and to deter migration by unsafe and illegal routes.

Detailed scrutiny 

Report stage is an extra chance for members to closely scrutinise elements of the bill and make changes (amendments).    

Votes

There were five divisions (votes) on proposed changes to the bill regarding:

• Restoring the ability of the government, officials or courts to consider the safety of Rwanda in individual cases.
• Age assessments and unaccompanied children.
• Setting a timetable for removals to Rwanda.
• Protections for people who may be a victim of modern slavery or human trafficking.
• Exemptions for people who have worked for the armed forces or have been employed by the UK government.

Members voted to agree to all the amendments so the changes were made.

Catch up

• Watch on Parliament TV.
• Read the Lords Hansard transcript.

Next steps

Third reading, a chance for members to make sure the eventual law is effective, workable and without loopholes, is scheduled for Tuesday 12 March.

Explore further information

Find out more about the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill in the House of Lords Library briefing.

What's happened so far? 

Report stage day one: Monday 4 March

There were five divisions (votes) on proposed changes to the bill regarding:

• The duty of the government to comply with domestic and international law.
• Only deeming Rwanda a safe country after the Rwanda Treaty is fully implemented.
• Government consultation with the Monitoring Committee, which monitors the relocation of people from the UK to Rwanda, and reporting to Parliament.
• The duty of decision makers to consider credible evidence that Rwanda is not a safe country.

Members also voted to remove a clause from the bill which would not allow courts to consider appeals against removal decisions on the grounds that Rwanda is not a safe country, or the removal is in contravention with international obligations or international law.

Members voted to agree to all the amendments so the changes were made.

Catch up

• Watch on Parliament TV.
• Read the Lords Hansard transcript.

Committee stage 

Line-by-line examination of the bill took place during committee stage on Monday 12, Wednesday 14 and Monday 19 February 2024. 

Second reading

Second reading, a full debate on the key principles of the bill, took place on Monday 29 January.

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