Migration Policy Appeal by Rishi Sunak and Diana Johnson

Last updated on July 7th, 2023 at 06:47 am

The prime minister was asked by Labour’s Dame Diana Johnson if he had a backup plan in case the court appeal regarding the sending of migrants to Rwanda failed.

She was incorrect in her assertion, according to Rishi Sunak, who also asserted that the government’s policy was “legal and in compliance with all of our obligations.”

While denying that he was placing his entire house on the divisive plan, Rishi Sunak has increased his reliance on his imperiled Rwanda policy.

The government will “vigorously” appeal last week’s court decision that found its flagship policy to be illegal, the prime minister assured senior lawmakers.

But he refused to say whether he had a backup plan or when he would “stop the boats” as he had promised.

In defense of Boris Johnson, he acknowledged that he had not read the damning report in its entirety. It accused seven of his MPs of engaging in an attack on democracy.

Suggested artificial intelligence could increase GDP by 10% in a decade, make public services more efficient, and reduce teacher workload – but firms may have to have “watermarks” if they use the technology; denied that a Whitehall “Blob” was preventing ministers from achieving their policy goals; and blamed the high number of fixed-rate mortgages for making the fight against inflation more difficult.

Mr. Sunak’s tone was defiant after his government’s small boats bill lost 11 votes in the Lords.

When the bill is brought back before the Commons, the ministers are now anticipated to weaken it.

The plan we have is legal, it complies with all of our obligations, and we will vigorously appeal it, the prime minister told members of the Commons Liaison Committee, which is made up of the chairs of other parliamentary committees.

We will keep pursuing our case with assurance and vigor, he continued.

He insisted that his plan to stop the boats was not on hold and denied “betting the house” on the appeal, citing a deal to send migrants back to Albania as evidence.

Despite claims that Rwanda could only accept 500 people from the UK, Mr. Sunak insisted that the deal was “uncapped”.

One MP said to Mr. Sunak during a contentious session: “A lot of people will think, prime minister, you are not really on their side.” Diana Johnson, a Labour member of parliament, questioned him about Rwanda, saying: “What’s wrong, because you were very upbeat the last time [you appeared before the committee]?”

Following last week’s court loss, some Tory MPs are exerting pressure on Mr. Sunak by asking for a backup plan involving small boats.

Regarding mortgages, he stated that the government was still “committed to bringing inflation down” even though the typical five-year fix was over 6%.

He told the bipartisan committee that inflation was “clearly proving more persistent than people anticipated.” He went on to say, “That doesn’t mean the policy is “wrong.”

In response to the worry that rising interest rates were making a small number of people do all the “heavy lifting,” Mr. Sunak said, “You’re right that the transmission mechanism may be slower with mortgages than it was in the past.” He said this because most people now have at least short-term fixed-rate mortgages.

But as I said, the mortgage component of it is just one of the many monetary policy transmission mechanisms.

He also stated that the government would be “responsible” if calls for significant tax breaks or pay raises in the public sector were made.

Mr. Sunak insisted he had no “active” involvement in Boris Johnson’s resignation honors list during the lengthy discussion. He added that the prime minister in office might not have given his or her approval to gongs sent to the King for a final sign-off.

And he admitted that he hasn’t yet received Liz Truss’ list of resignations.

When asked if he would present a similar list after leaving No. 10, he responded, “I am not focused on or have given any thought to.”

Additionally, he received criticism for skipping the vote to censure Mr. Johnson for Partygate last month and was charged with caring more about cricket than parliament.