The UK expects to deport nearly 6,000 migrants to Rwanda this year, according to a senior minister, after the government published new details on the controversial scheme.

The figures come days after the plan aimed at deterring migrant arrivals on small boats from northern Europe became law following months of parliamentary wrangling.

The interior ministry revealed that Rwanda has “in principle” agreed to accept 5,700 migrants already in the UK.

Migrants who arrived in the UK between January 2022 and June last year are liable to have their asylum claims deemed inadmissible and be removed to Rwanda.