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LEGAL ENGLISH · SPECIAL REPORT · UPPER-INTERMEDIATE (B2-C1)

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. key (adj.) a. in a way that is agreed or supported by everyone in a group

2. unanimously (adv) b. the art of effective or persuasive communication, often involving

the use of language to influence
3. deterrent (n.) c. very important and having a lot of influence

4. doubled down (phr. d. reinforced one’s commitment or efforts, especially when faced
v.) with a challenge or criticism
5. rhetoric (n.) e. something that discourages or prevents a particular action or
behaviour

Group 2

1. resolute (adj.) a. the act of subjecting someone to hostility or ill-treatment,

especially because of their race, religion, or political beliefs
2. persecution (n.) b. dirty, untidy, or slovenly in appearance or nature

3. inhumane (adj.) c. avoid or neglect a duty or responsibility, often by deceit or

evasion.
4. grubby (adj.) d. lacking compassion or consideration for the well-being of others;
cruel and harsh
5. shirk (v.) e. admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering

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. : causing a plan or suggestion to be officially accepted (phr. v, para. A)

2. : active, forceful, and full of determination (adj., para. A)

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

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

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

(n, para. C)

Group B

1. : violated or went against a rule, law, or agreement (v, para. D)

2. : having moderate political views, avoiding extremes (adj., para D)

3. : an 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 get round 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
legal challenges by setting out in UK law that the east the first flights leaving in spring, he declined three
African country is safe. He said, "I told parliament times to guarantee this would happen before the
earlier today that I’m prepared to change our laws and end of next year. Further delay is likely to annoy
revisit those international relationships to remove the Conservative MPs on the right of the party, who
obstacles in our way." are strongly pushing for ministers to enact legislative

B. blocks on the ECHR and UN Refugee Convention in

UK law – a move that would in turn alarm centrist
Amid increasing pressure from the right of the Tories and have implications for the Northern Ireland
Conservative party to commit to withdrawing from peace 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 confrontational 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 formalise 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 criticised the decision, the PM said he accepted
of the Rwanda plan to focus instead on other ways
and respected the ruling, but would try to find
to stop small boats crossing the Channel. Natalie
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 emphasised 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 emphasises the public’s understanding.

6. What does Natalie Elphicke emphasise 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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