More than 1,000 migrants have arrived on UK shores in small boats in the week since Rishi Sunak's new Rwanda Bill recieved Royal Assent, despite the Prime Minister saying the legislation would deter migrants from making crossings.
After 132 migrants arrived on UK shores yesterday in three boats, the total number of arrivals in the last seven days hit 1,032.
This takes the total for the year to 7,299 - an increase of exactly 1,500 on the same time last year. This is an increase of 25.9 per cent, and an increase of nine per cent on 2022.
The Government’s Rwanda deportation plan passed through Parliament last week following an extended process of parliamentary ping pong between MPs and Lords.
More than 1,000 small boats have arrived on UK shores in the week since Rishi Sunak's new Rwanda Bill recoeved Royal Assent, despite the Prime Minister saying the legislation would deter migrants from making crossings
PA
The unelected chamber ended the deadlock after MPs rejected a requirement that Rwanda could not be treated as safe until the secretary of state, having consulted an independent monitoring body, made a statement to Parliament to that effect.
The Government said the Lords amendment was "almost identical" to the previous ones overturned by MPs.
At the time of its passing, Sunak said the legislation will "deter vulnerable migrants from making perilous crossings".
In a statement, the PM said: "The passing of this landmark legislation is not just a step forward but a fundamental change in the global equation on migration.
"We introduced the Rwanda Bill to deter vulnerable migrants from making perilous crossings and break the business model of the criminal gangs who exploit them.
"The passing of this legislation will allow us to do that and make it very clear that if you come here illegally, you will not be able to stay.
"Our focus is to now get flights off the ground, and I am clear that nothing will stand in our way of doing that and saving lives."
Home Secretary James Cleverly said: "The Act will prevent people from abusing the law by using false human rights claims to block removals.
"And it makes clear that the UK Parliament is sovereign, giving Government the power to reject interim blocking measures imposed by European courts.
"I promised to do what was necessary to clear the path for the first flight. That’s what we have done. Now we’re working day in and day out to get flights off the ground."
A Home Office spokesperson said: "The unacceptable number of people who continue to cross the Channel demonstrates exactly why we are operationalising our plans to get flights off the ground to Rwanda as soon as possible.
“We continue to work closely with French police who are facing increasing violence and disruption on their beaches as they work tirelessly to prevent these dangerous, illegal and unnecessary journeys.
“We remain committed to building on the successes that saw arrivals drop by more than a third last year, including tougher legislation and agreements with international partners, in order to save lives and stop the boats.”