In one of her first major decisions as Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper has formally terminated the UK's controversial Rwanda asylum scheme, delivering on Labour's pledge to scrap the Conservative-era policy.
The move signals a dramatic shift in Britain's approach to immigration and represents one of the most significant policy reversals since Sir Keir Starmer's government took office.
Swift Action on Election Promises
Cooper wasted no time in making her mark at the Home Office, with official confirmation coming just days after Labour's landslide election victory. The Rwanda scheme, which had cost taxpayers approximately £300 million without a single flight taking off, has been a source of intense political debate since its inception under Boris Johnson's government.
The policy would have seen some asylum seekers arriving in the UK relocated to Rwanda to have their claims processed there, rather than in Britain.
New Approach to Immigration
Instead of the Rwanda plan, the Labour government is expected to pursue what Cooper describes as a "more practical and effective" strategy for managing immigration and tackling people smuggling networks.
This likely includes:
- Strengthening border security measures
- Increasing cooperation with European partners
- Addressing the backlog of asylum cases
- Targeting criminal smuggling operations
The decision has been welcomed by refugee advocacy groups while drawing criticism from some Conservative MPs who argue it removes an important deterrent to Channel crossings.
What Comes Next?
With the Rwanda scheme now officially shelved, attention turns to how the new government will handle the ongoing challenge of small boat crossings and the broader immigration system.
Cooper's team is expected to outline their comprehensive immigration strategy in the coming weeks, as the Home Secretary settles into her role overseeing one of Whitehall's most challenging departments.
