The Rwanda plan has failed. But churches can help steer a better course

The Supreme Court has declared the government’s Rwanda plan illegal. As Rishi Sunak explores emergency legislation to get round the ruling, Rev Steve Tinning says safe routes and community support – including from the Christian community – offer a more compassionate response

Five Supreme Court justices have unanimously ruled that the UK government’s plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda is, indeed, illegal. I believe all Christians should be delighted with this verdict, but it is not yet the time to celebrate.

Let me try to explain why.

The Prime Minister has made “stop the small boats crossings” one of his five priorities for 2023. This is an ambition I can fully support. No one wants any more headlines about desperate and vulnerable people drowning in the English Channel.

But, sadly, this is where any agreement that Rishi Sunak and I might have on asylum and refugee policy comes to an end. He, along with former Home Secretaries Priti Patel and Suella Braverman, have focussed the vast majority of their energy on developing policies designed to deter asylum seekers from attempting to come to the UK.