Rwanda wants two-month pause after first migrant flights to 'process first arrivals'

Government officials conceded it will take at least six weeks to get flights off the ground after the legislation receives royal assent.

However, the Home Office also hopes around 150 migrants will receive removal notification letters by the end of the week.

The Times revealed Sunak could face yet another blow as Rwanda called for a staggered implementation of the deal.

“The Rwandans want to pause the scheme for two months to ensure they process the first lot of migrants properly and ensure everything is working smoothly before they take more,” a Whitehall source said.

“It’ll take them two months to process and move out of the reception centre but then they will be able to take more and be able to process them quicker.”

However, the Rwandan Government also said there is no cap on numbers arriving in the African country.

It also stressed a staggered approach would not result in a pause on overall numbers.

• Home Office begins identifying illegal migrants for first Rwanda flights as eye-watering cost of removals laid bare
• At least 60 drowned in Mediterranean Sea after vessel capsizes
• A plane taking off to Rwanda would be a win for the government, even if people are being paid to get on it

The ongoing situation led to a social media spat between Home Secretary James Cleverly and Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.

Cooper said: “Unbelievable. Government finally admitting here that Tories’ flagship £500m Rwanda scheme will only cover around 150 people.

“Probable cost of this failing gimmick to British taxpayer is near £2million per person. Labour will put that money into border security instead.”

However, referencing the part of the article which revealed “there is no cap on numbers”, Cleverly responded: “At least read the article.”

A Home Office spokesperson added: “Our spring timeline has not changed, and once the Safety of Rwanda Bill and treaty are in place, we will get flights off the ground as soon as possible.

“We have a strong relationship with Rwanda and we continue to work closely with them to operationalise the policy.”

The Government has today confirmed it is starting to identify illegal immigrants who will be on the first flights to Rwanda.

An “initial cohort” of migrants are now being contacted, the Prime Minister’s offical spokesman has said.

The spokesman added: “We are identifying, have identified a cohort of people who will be the first to go on the flights.”

MPs will start voting on amendments tabled by members of the House of Lords from 6pm tonight as Sunak hopes to remove changes which water down the legislation.