Further delay to Rwanda bill’s passage as Lords vote through amendments – as it happened

• The government suffered two defeats on Wednesday in the House Lords over its Safety of Rwanda bill. Peers voted to accept Motion D1 which adds an exemption to the removal to Rwanda for people who have supported the UK armed forces and their families. The contents voted 247, the not contents 195, meaning the Bill will be sent back to the Commons for debate once again. Earlier, Downing Street said it would not be offering concessions.

• Peers also voted to accept Motion B1 which would reinstate the Lords amendment on a monitoring committee to decide when Rwanda is safe. The contents voted 245, the not contents 208.

• Labour said it remains “completely confident” that Angela Rayner has complied with all rules after the chief constable of Greater Manchester police said she was facing investigation “over a number of assertions knocking about”. Keir Starmer told MPs he believed the accusation that Rayner lied about her primary residence to avoid tax was a “smear”.

• James Daly, the deputy chair of the Conservative party, wrote to Greater Manchester police asking them to investigate Angela Rayner and, when the force initially declined to look into it, he successfully persuaded them to think again. But in media interviews, Daly refused to say what he thinks Rayner did wrong

• Labour said it is “deeply concerning” that Rishi Sunak refused to rule out cutting the NHS or pensions, or putting up taxes, to fund his £46bn long-term plan to abolish national insurance in a statement after PMQs.

James Cleverly has criticised the Labour party over the continual delays to the passage of the Rwanda bill.

“Terrified that the Rwanda scheme will work, and desperate to delay or disrupt over a hundred votes about stopping the boats, Labour have acted again to block the passage of the Rwanda bill,” the home secretary said.

Peers have voted to accept Motion D1.

The contents voted 247, the not contents 195, meaning the Bill will be sent back to the Commons for debate once again.

Peers have divided to vote on Motion D1 which adds an exemption to the removal to Rwanda for people who have supported the UK armed forces and their families.

The fresh amendment to the Rwanda bill means it will be sent back to the Commons for debate once again.

Peers have voted to accept Motion B1.

The contents voted 245, the not contents 208.

Over to the House of Lords now on the Safety of Rwanda Bill.

Peers have divided to vote on Motion B1 which would reinstate the Lords amendment on a monitoring committee to decide when Rwanda is safe.

The Home Office has confirmed a new deal with Vietnam to strengthen collaboration on efforts to tackle illegal migration, including through deterrence communication campaigns and intelligence-sharing.

Officials said the agreement will “continue to facilitate the process for the return of those with no right to remain in the UK” and lead to the development of a joint action plan to tackle human trafficking.

Vietnamese nationals made up 5% of small boat arrivals in the UK in 2023, up from 1% in 2022 but the same proportion as in 2021, Home Office figures show.

From 2018 to the end of 2023, there were 3,356 Vietnamese small boat arrivals, putting Vietnam in the top 10 source countries.

17 Apr 202413.41 EDT

Josh Halliday

Government officials have been accused of using “threatening and cruel” tactics towards unpaid carers by saying they could face even greater financial penalties if they appeal against “vindictive” benefit fines.

This month a Guardian investigation revealed that thousands of people who look after disabled, frail or ill relatives have been forced to pay back huge sums after being chased by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) over “honest mistakes” that officials could have spotted years earlier.

Dozens of unpaid carers have said they feel powerless to challenge the penalties, which often run into many thousands of pounds, even when the government is at fault.

Now the Guardian has learned that the DWP is warning carers that their fine may increase if they appeal against a repayment order.

The DWP said: “Carers across the UK are unsung heroes who make a huge difference to someone else’s life and we have increased carer’s allowance by almost £1,500 since 2010.

“We have safeguards in place for managing repayments, that’s why visiting officers are available to provide support and assistance to customers when attending their homes, particularly for those deemed vulnerable.

“Claimants have a responsibility to inform DWP of any changes in their circumstances that could impact their award, and it is right that we recover taxpayers’ money when this has not occurred.”

17 Apr 202413.24 EDT

Andrew Sparrow

According to Sky’s Beth Rigby, the government are saying, if they lose in the Lords tonight on the two remaining issues on the Rwanda bill (and it is expected the government will lose), Labour will be to blame for the bill not becoming law until next week.

Update: Now looks like Lab to whip on two amendments in HoL tonite. Lab source tells me if votes go thru, Rwanda Bill won’t get back to HoC until Monday (this fourth time bill in Lords). Govt figure: “We wanted to get it done today, but it shows Lab for their true colours.”

Labour figures say it is the government that decides when debates take place and that, if ministers wanted “ping pong” to wrap up this week, they could have made that happen, by bringing the bill back to the Commons later tonight, or tomorrow.

Although peers are still refusing to back down on their two priority issues (see 9.55am), it is expected that at some time soon they will back down and let the government have its way.

That’s all from me for tonight. My colleague Nadeem Badshah is now taking over.