Rwanda scheme: Committee Chairs demand transparency on costs to taxpayer
8 December 2023
Dame Meg Hillier MP and Dame Diana Johnson MP, the Chairs of the Public Accounts and Home Affairs Committees, today jointly write to Home Office Permanent Secretary Sir Matthew Rycroft.
- Letter to Sir Matthew Rycroft KCMG CBE, Permanent Secretary, dated 8 December 2023
- Public Accounts Committee
- Home Affairs Committee
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 12th December.
Further information
- Inquiry: UK-Rwanda Migration and Economic Development Partnership
- About Parliament: Select committees
- Visiting Parliament: Watch committees
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