The Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill returned to the House of Lords for consideration of Commons amendments in ‘ping pong’, on Wednesday 20 March.
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.
Consideration of amendments
The bill was considered by the House of Lords between 18 January and 12 March 2024 before returning to the House of Commons in a process known as parliamentary ‘ping pong’.
On Wednesday 20 March, members of the Lords considered changes made to the bill by MPs in the Commons. Lords members voted to make changes and add clauses to the bill on:
- Regard for domestic and international law.
- Implementation of the Rwanda Treaty.
- Decisions in individual claims and appeals.
- Age assessments of unaccompanied children.
- Removal of victims of modern slavery and human trafficking.
- Exemptions for UK armed forces personnel overseas.
