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LEGAL ENGLISH · SPECIAL REPORT · ADVANCED (C1-C2)

UK PLANS TO
SEND BACK
ASYLUM SEEKERS

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1 Warm up
Discuss the following questions and estimate the answers.

1. What percentage of the UK’s total population are asylum seekers?

2. Which country in the world hosts the highest number of asylum seekers, and how many do you
think they have admitted?

3. What is the financial cost of operating the UK’s asylum system each year?

4. What is the average length of time asylum seekers must wait before they find out if they have
been granted asylum in the UK?

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2 Focus on vocabulary

Match the words with the correct definitions.

Group 1

1. unanimously (adv) a. something that discourages or prevents a particular action or

behavior
2. deterrent (n.) b. reinforced one’s commitment or efforts, especially when faced
with a challenge or criticism
3. doubled down (phr. c. in a way that is agreed or supported by everyone in a group
v.)
4. rhetoric (n.) d. the art of effective or persuasive communication, often involving
the use of language to influence

Group 2

1. resolute (adj.) a. avoid or neglect a duty or responsibility, often by deceit or

evasion.
2. persecution (n.) b. admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering

3. grubby (adj.) c. the act of subjecting someone to hostility or ill-treatment,

especially because of their race, religion, or political beliefs
4. shirk (v.) d. dirty, untidy, or slovenly in appearance or nature

3 Listening for specific information

Watch the report about how the Supreme Court has blocked efforts to deport asylum seekers to
Rwanda. Answer the following questions.

1. When was the scheme proposed? →

2. How many migrants have arrived in the UK illegally since 2018? →

3. How much has already been spent on the Rwanda scheme? →

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4 Listening for comprehension

Part A: Watch again and decide if the following information is true (T) or false (F).

1. All the Supreme Court judges agreed with the existing ruling.

2. The decision was made because Rwanda is considered a dangerous country.

3. The British PM has decided to look at alternatives to the Rwanda plan.

4. The UK has promised to pay Rwanda a significant amount of money in the future.

5. Steve Smith claimed the government’s plan was unethical.

Part B: Look at the following sentence, taken from the audio:

"It is also a victory for the rule of law itself and the separation of powers."

What do you think is meant by "the separation of powers"?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of this system? Do you have a similar system in your
country?

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5 Scanning for vocabulary

Scan the article on page five about PM Rishi Sunak’s response to the Supreme Court ruling and find
words or phrases which mean the same as the following.

Group A

1. : a series of similar activities that can often seem repetitive (n, para. A)

2. : stand used for holding notes or a speaker’s materials (n, para. B)

3. : a short, written report prepared specially for a person or group of people

(n, para. C)
4. : strongly protested or vehemently criticized (phr. v, para. C)

5. : find a way to bypass or avoid a challenge or obstacle (v, para. D)

Group B

1. : irritate or bother, causing distress or agitation (v, para. D)

2. : inclined to quarrel or engage in conflict; combative (adj., para E)

3. : act of renovating or giving a new and improved form to something (n, para.
F)
4. : the majority or main part of something (n phrase, para. F):

5. : made more courageous or confident (adj., para. F)

6 Reading for general information

Match the headings with the correct paragraph.

1. Start date for Rwanda plan still unclear

2. PM to change laws to smooth path for Rwanda deportations
3. International treaty to prevent repatriation of asylum seekers
4. MPs call for overhaul of plan
5. Rapid legislation likely to be blocked
6. Sunak points to other countries’ similar tactics

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Sunak Set to Defy Supreme Court Ruling

British PM stands firm on deportation plan

A. D.

Rishi Sunak has staked his political credibility on Sunak did not say when the legislation might be
pushing through emergency legislation to resurrect introduced, or how it would circumvent the Supreme
his high-profile plan to deport asylum seekers to Court’s view that the Rwanda plan contravened three
Rwanda, after the Supreme Court ruled it was existing UK laws. It was also notable that in Sunak’s
unlawful. During a feisty press conference, Sunak press conference, while he said the government was
said legislation would end the "merry-go-round" of "working extremely hard" to meet its timetable of the
legal challenges by setting out in UK law that the east first flights leaving in spring, he declined three times
African country is safe. He said, "I told parliament to guarantee this would happen before the end of
earlier today that I’m prepared to change our laws and next year. Further delay is likely to vex Conservative
revisit those international relationships to remove the MPs on the right of the party, who are strongly
obstacles in our way." pushing for ministers to enact legislative blocks on

B. the ECHR and UN Refugee Convention in UK law

– a move that would in turn alarm centrist Tories
Amid increasing pressure from the right of the and have implications for the Northern Ireland peace
Conservative party to commit to withdrawing from process.
the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)*,
Sunak said he would "not allow a foreign court to E.
block these flights", but declined to say how. "I am Sunak will hope that the notably pugnacious tone
prepared to do what is necessary to get flights off. he struck at the press conference will lessen such
I will not take the easy way out," the prime minister fears in other MPs. Asked if he endorsed the call
said, standing at a lectern bearing the "stop the boats" to simply ignore the ruling, he said such comments
slogan. A parallel plan for a new international treaty "reflect the strength of feeling in the country. My
with Rwanda would provide "guarantees in law" that patience however has run thin, as I do believe the
people deported from the UK would not be returned country’s patience has run thin." He stopped short of
to their home countries, he added. promising to quit the ECHR, and instead highlighted
C. the fact that other nations, including Italy, are looking
to introduce similar measures to deport people to
While a treaty would formalize the previous
third countries.
memorandum of understanding with Rwanda,
sources said this could take more than a year and F.
then be challenged in the courts. While some Tory
Some Tory MPs have called for a complete revamp
MPs railed against the decision, the PM said he
of the Rwanda plan to focus instead on other ways
accepted and respected the ruling, but would try to
to stop small boats crossing the Channel. Natalie
find a way around it. Sunak’s desire to rapidly enact
Elphicke, whose Dover constituency sees the bulk
legislation could hit trouble if his plan is opposed
of such arrivals, told Times Radio: "I think that the
in the House of Lords, which seems likely. The Bar
Supreme Court’s decision today is very clear, and
Council, a professional association that represents
we need to move forward from the Rwanda focus.
legal professionals, warned that passing a law to
What we need to see is a real focus, particularly
reverse such a ruling "would raise profound and
on the immediate risk of people smugglers being
important questions about the respective role of the
emboldened in these winter months."
courts and parliament".

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Sources for the article: Financial Times, The Guardian

* The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), established in 1950, is an international treaty
safeguarding fundamental rights and freedoms in Europe. The associated European Court of Human
Rights handles cases concerning alleged violations by member states, making the ECHR a key document
in European human rights protection.

7 Reading comprehension

Read the text again in more detail, then answer the multiple-choice questions below.

1. How does Rishi Sunak plan on preventing future legal challenges?

a. by changing existing UK laws

b. with the aid of the ECHR

c. by adhering to existing European laws

d. by implementing a registration system

2. How did Sunak express his determination to "stop the boats"?

a. He emphasized the need for international cooperation.

b. He highlighted the importance of economic considerations.

c. He pledged to take necessary action without specifying details.

d. He called for the courts to listen to public opinion.

3. Why might it be impossible to implement a new law quickly?

a. Members of the opposing party could block it.

b. The Home Secretary has doubts about its effectiveness.

c. The House of Lords might vote it down.

d. Right-wing conservatives feel it does not go far enough.

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4. Why might the delay in implementing the legislation be a cause of concern for right-wing
Conservative MPs?

a. It could impact the Northern Ireland peace process.

b. It might lead to stronger opposition from centrist Tories.

c. It may result in a loss of public support.

d. It could affect the government’s timetable for deportation flights.

5. What does Sunak say about the public’s sentiment regarding the ruling?

a. He suggests the public is indifferent.

b. He notes the public’s strong support for the ruling.

c. He acknowledges the public’s impatience.

d. He emphasizes the public’s understanding.

6. What does Natalie Elphicke emphasize as an immediate risk in the winter months?

a. increased legal challenges to deportation plans

b. a rise in the number of small boat arrivals

c. political opposition to the government’s immigration policies

d. the potential strengthening of international relations

8 Talking point

In pairs or small groups, discuss the following questions.

1. What role should the courts play in shaping and challenging government policies, especially when
it comes to issues of human rights?
2. What impact might withdrawing from the ECHR have on the country’s reputation and relationships
with other nations?
3. To what extent should public opinion influence the government’s immigration policies, especially
when faced with legal challenges?

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Transcripts

3. Listening for specific information

Newsreader: Supreme court rejects Rishi Sunak’s plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda

Newsreader: Rishi Sunak’s key immigration policy has been dealt a blow after the UK’s highest court
rejected the government’s plans to send people seeking asylum to Rwanda. The five
judges at the Supreme Court unanimously upheld a previous ruling that found there
was a real risk of deported refugees having their claims in the East African country
wrongly assessed and being returned to their country of origin to face persecution.

Newsreader: The Rwanda plan was first advocated in April 2022 as the government came under
increasing pressure to tackle the growing number of small boats crossing the Channel.
More than 100,000 people have arrived in the UK via illegal crossings since 2018.
The government claimed that the Rwanda scheme would be a deterrent for growing
numbers of asylum seekers reaching the UK, a claim that refugee charities have
rejected. The first flights were scheduled to take place in June last year.

Newsreader: Reacting to the ruling, Sunak doubled down on existing conservative-party rhetoric,
stating: “This was not the outcome we wanted, but we have spent the last few months
planning for all eventualities, and we remain completely committed to stopping the
boats.” The Home Secretary, James Cleverly, was less resolute, leaving the door open
for other options: “Our partnership with Rwanda, while bold and ambitious, is just one
part of a vehicle of measures to stop the boats and tackle illegal migration.” More than
£140m has already been paid to the Rwandan government. A spokesperson for the
Rwandan government said: “The money has already been allocated to a number of
government projects.”

Newsreader: Toufique Hossain of Duncan Lewis solicitors, one of the lawyers representing the
asylum seekers who brought the legal challenge, claimed it was a victory for his brave
clients who stood up to an inhumane policy, while also highlighting the importance
of the separation of powers. Steve Smith, chief executive of the refugee charity
Care4Calais, said the judgment was a victory for humanity, stating: “This grubby, cash-
for-people deal was always cruel and immoral but, most importantly, it is unlawful.
Hundreds of millions of pounds have been spent on this cruel policy. Never again
should our government seek to shirk our country’s responsibility to offer sanctuary to
those caught up in horrors around the world.”

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Key

1. Warm up

5 mins.
Statistics provided by www.refugee-action.org.uk/about/facts-about-refugees/. Encourage students to discuss
their own ideas about asylum seekers. When going through the answers, ask whether any of the statistics are
surprising and how they think they might change in the future.

1. 0.5%
2. Turkey, with 3.7 million, followed by Columbia with 1.7 million.
3. $1.7 billion
4. three years

2. Focus on vocabulary

5 mins.
Encourage students to give examples using some of the words. Check their pronunciation after they have completed
the task.
Group 1

1. → c. 2. → a. 3. → b. 4. → d.

Group 2

1. → b. 2. → c. 3. → d. 4. → a.

3. Listening for specific information

5 mins.
The answers will appear in the same order as the questions. Students should listen for the specific information.

1. April 2022 2. More than 100,000 3. £140 million

Sources for the audio:

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/nov/15/supreme-court-rejects-rishi-sunak-plan-to-deport-asylum-seekers-
to-rwanda
news.sky.com/story/rwanda-supreme-court-has-ruled-on-the-governments-plan-everything-you-need-to-know-
13008059

4. Listening for comprehension

Part A
5 mins.
Explain that the exact words from the statements do not feature in the audio, so they should think of synonyms
of the words and phrases.

1. True. The five judges at the Supreme Court unanimously upheld a previous ruling.

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2. False. "...there was a real risk of deported refugees having their claims in the East African country wrongly
assessed..."
3. False. "Reacting to the ruling, Sunak doubled down on existing conservative-party rhetoric..."
4. False. "More than £140m has already been paid to the Rwandan government."
5. True. "This grubby, cash-for-people deal was always cruel and immoral..."

Part B
5 mins.
Explain that in the United Kingdom, the separation of powers involves three branches of government: the executive
(headed by the Prime Minister), the legislative (Parliament), and the judicial (courts). None of these institutions
of state are functionally independent, and no individual can have the power to control all of these offices. In this
way, each department can monitor each another.
Discuss the system and how it compares to other countries.

5. Scanning for vocabulary

10 mins.
Make sure that students understand that they should not read the article in detail, but should scan it, looking for
the words that match the definitions.

Group A

1. merry-go-round 2. lectern 3. memorandum 4. railed against 5. circumvent

Group B

1. vex 2. pugnacious 3. revamp 4. the bulk of 5. emboldened

6. Reading for general information

5 mins.
Students should look for keywords from the headings.

A. 2. PM to change laws to smooth path for Rwanda deportations

B. 3. International treaty to prevent repatriation of asylum seekers
C. 5. Rapid legislation likely to be blocked
D. 1. Start date for Rwanda plan still unclear
E. 6. Sunak points to other countries’ similar tactics
F. 4. MPs call for overhaul of plan

Sources:
www.ft.com/content/2ff756e4-9719-44f6-b4db-1955ae90ac64
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/nov/15/rishi-sunak-to-bring-in-emergency-law-after-courts-rwanda-ruling

7. Reading comprehension

10 mins.

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Students should complete the exercise individually at first. If they are unsure, they should try a process of
elimination.

1. a. 2. c. 3. c. 4. d. 5. c. 6. b.

8. Talking point

5 mins.
Encourage students to use vocabulary they have seen in this lesson when answering the questions.

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