MPs are urged to finally pass the Rwanda bill as 535 migrants cross the Channel ... trends now

Parliament was urged to finally pass the Rwanda bill last night after the number of illegal Channel crossings hit a new daily high for 2024.

Latest figures revealed that 534 migrants in 10 boats reached Britain on Sunday, following 214 in five dinghies the day before.

That takes the total number of arrivals so far this year to 6,265 – 28 per cent higher than by this time last year.

Downing Street admitted the figures were 'unacceptable' and said they showed the need for the new Safety of Rwanda Bill – which has been held up by Government defeats in the House of Lords – to deter more people from making the crossing.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'It's an unacceptable number of people who continue to cross the Channel and it demonstrates exactly why we must pass this Bill and get flights off the ground as soon as possible and provide the important deterrent that the Bill will provide.'

The legislation, which declares Rwanda is a safe country for migrants to be sent to after the Supreme Court ruled the scheme unlawful last autumn, returned to the Commons last night for fresh consideration of amendments voted through by the Lords before Easter.

Illegal Migration Minister Michael Tomlinson told MPs: 'Here we are, back again, debating the same issues and amendments we have already rejected. We're not quite at the point yet of completing each others' sentences, but we are almost there.

'The issue before the House is whether the clearly expressed views of this House, throughout the entire passage of the Bill, should prevail.

'We cannot accept amendments to provide for loopholes which would perpetuate the current cycle of delays and late legal challenges.

'We have a moral duty to stop the

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