In a defiant move that sets the stage for a major legal and political clash, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has declared the government's 'one-in, one-out' asylum seeker deal will proceed as planned. This announcement comes directly after a last-ditch effort to block the policy through a High Court injunction.
The controversial scheme, a cornerstone of the government's strategy to address irregular migration, involves relocating asylum seekers who arrive in the UK via unauthorised routes to a third country. In a direct swap, the UK would then legally resettle a refugee from another part of the world for every individual sent away.
Legal Showdown Looms After Failed Injunction Bid
The policy faced a significant hurdle just hours before its expected implementation. A coalition of human rights groups and legal activists sought an emergency injunction to halt the plan, arguing it potentially violates international law and puts vulnerable individuals at risk.
However, the government successfully opposed this legal challenge. Ms. Kendall seized the moment, stating the court's decision to not grant the injunction was a clear green light. "The British people deserve a controlled and fair immigration system, and this policy is a vital part of delivering that," she asserted, framing the deal as a necessary measure to disrupt human trafficking networks.
Details Shrouded in Secrecy
Intense speculation surrounds the identity of the third country partner. The government has maintained a strict veil of secrecy around the negotiations, citing the need for "operational security and diplomatic sensitivity." This lack of transparency has been a key point of criticism from opposition parties and charities.
Shadow ministers have lambasted the scheme as a "costly gimmick" and a "logistical nightmare," demanding full publication of the deal's financial and legal details. They question the capacity of the unnamed partner nation to humanely process and accommodate arrivals from the UK.
Despite the controversy, ministers are projecting confidence. The Home Office is reportedly making operational preparations to begin the first transfers imminently, signalling a new and intensely contentious chapter in UK immigration policy.
