Activists have criticised the government's plan to send some asylum seekers who arrive in the UK to live in Rwanda.

Members of the campaign group Southampton Stand Up to Racism (SSUTR) were outside Westquay on Saturday afternoon in response to the plans.

The government announced this week it will send to Rwanda migrant men who arrive in the UK after crossing the Channel.

When there, they will have the right to apply to live in the African country.

READ MORE: Hundreds march through streets of Southampton to protest government immigration bill

News of the decision has been met with widespread concern, with many charities and organisations criticising the move. 

Manthan Pathak, a spokesperson for SSUTR said: "Sending refugees and asylum seekers to Rwanda represents another level of cruelty from this government.

"But even beyond the reprehensible treatment of people forced to leave their homes because of conflict, terror and persecution, the astronomical costs to the UK taxpayer when we are enduring the cost of living crisis extends that cruelty to ordinary people in this country.

"We must stand up together to refuse for this to happen in our name. 

"Southampton is a city of sanctuary for refugees and asylum seekers, and we should be united in our defiance."

The group has previously marched through the city centre to protest the new Nationality and Borders Bill.

Numerous campaigners descended on the Bargate to show their solidarity with refugees coming to the UK.