Correspondence: UK-Rwanda Migration and Economic
Development Partnership
and , the Chairs of the
Public Accounts and Home Affairs Committees, today jointly write
to Home Office Permanent Secretary .
The Chairs’ correspondence follows Sir Matthew’s 7 December letter
disclosing that a further payment of £100m has been made to the
Government of Rwanda as part of the Economic Transformation and
Integration Fund. The UK Government paid Rwanda £140m in the
financial year 2022-23 and an additional £50 million will be paid
to Rwanda in 2024-25.
The lack of notice and timing of Sir Matthew’s disclosure shows
an extreme lack of respect for both committees. The Chairs’
correspondence expresses surprise and disappointment at Sir
Matthew’s refusal to answer questions from both Select Committees
on the scheme at recent hearings, and notes that this most recent
disclosure still does not provide sufficient information about
the money spent on this scheme so far.
The Chairs request Sir Matthew’s return to answer questions on
the subject at the Public Accounts Committee’s upcoming hearing
on Monday 11th December. This session would help to
inform Members of the House of Commons ahead of the debate on the
second reading of the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and immigration)
Bill due to take place in the Chamber on Tuesday
12thDecember.
