UK may send small boat arrivals to Ascension Island if Rwanda plan fails

By Burak Bir

PORTLAND, England (AA) - The UK may send small boat arrivals to Ascension Island, an isolated volcanic island in South Atlantic Ocean, if its Rwanda plan fails.

The Rwanda plan, a relocation plan that would see asylum seekers attempting to enter the UK being sent to the African country for resettlement, was ruled unlawful by the Court of Appeal in June, although the government is challenging the judgement.

Asked if the government was considering sending asylum seekers to Ascension Island, Home Office Minister Sarah Dines told Times Radio: “We are pretty confident that Rwanda is a legal policy. The high court and the lord chief justice found that it was, so that is what we are focusing on. But, like any responsible government, we look at additional measures. So we are looking at everything to make sure our policy works."

“We need to reduce the pull factor of illegal criminal gangs getting people to this country, basically abusing the system,” she added.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has vowed to deliver on his promise to deter Channel crossings, and the government has also increased fines for those who allow "illegal migrants" to work for them or live in their properties.