The Labour Party is said to be drawing up its own alternative to the Rwanda migration plan, as part of an attempt to neautralise attacks from the Conservative Party ahead of a general election.
Sir Keir Starmer has faced criticism from the Tories claiming he is soft on migration.
But sources told the Times the Labour leader is considering detailed plans for offshore processing schemes, which would see asylum seekers have their claims processed overseas.
However, he is said to have ruled out introducing Rwanda-style deportations.
Three tests must be met in order to secure the party's seal of approval, shadow ministers and party officials working on the plans have warned.
They have warned it must be cost-effective and credible enough to deter migrants from crossing the channel.
It also must clear the legal hurdles which have left the Government's Rwanda scheme beleaguered by issues.
The main difference between Labour's plan and the current proposals put forward by the Tories is that any refugees who are granted asylum status in the offshore processing centres would be returned to the UK.
A senior Labour source told the Times: "We've always looked at the small boats issue as a problem that needs to be solved, and we've always been open to a range of possible solutions."
They added: "The Tories like to compare Rwanda to the schemes tht other European countries are considering, but this is a false comparison because other European governments are looking at options around offshore processing, whereas the Rwanda scheme is about sending asylum seekers to another country permanently".
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Sunak's Government introduced new emergency legislation this month in an attempt to address the Supreme Court's issues with the plan.
While the Bill passed its second reading with a majority of 44 - by 313 votes to 269 - a significant number of MPs abstained due to concerns over the legislation.
The Safety of Rwanda Bill looks to address concerns expressed in last month's Supreme Court ruling by declaring Rwanda is a safe country to send asylum seekers to.
It also stops flights being grounded for legal reasons by allowing ministers to disapply sections of the Human Rights Act.
The right wing of the party wants the legislation to go further to stop obstacles arising.
However, Home Secretary James Cleverly has suggested the legislation already "pushed at the edge of the envelope" on international law.
Rwanda also told Sunak it will withdraw from the treaty if the UK were to breach its "international obligations".
from GB News https://ift.tt/pT9O85H
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