Current location:opinions >>
MPs are urged to finally pass the Rwanda bill after 535 migrants cross the Channel on Sunday
opinions48People have gathered around
IntroductionParliament was urged to finally pass the Rwanda bill last night after the number of illegal Channel ...
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.'
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 (file picture)
Latest figures revealed that 534 migrants in 10 boats reached Britain on Sunday, following 214 in five dinghies the day before (file picture)
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.
READ MORE: Record day yet for Channel migrants with 534 crossing on Sunday in small boats - as MPs are set to finally approve Rwanda deportation flights this weekAdvertisement
'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 boats. We must bring an end to the dangerous, unnecessary and illegal methods that have been deployed. We must protect our borders and, most importantly, save lives at sea.'
He added: 'Our partnership with Rwanda is a key part of our strategy. The message is absolutely clear: if you come to the United Kingdom illegally, you will not be able to stay; you will be detained and swiftly returned to your country, to a safe country or to a safe third country, Rwanda.'
He rejected the need for the Lords' amendments, including one that would exempt those who helped UK armed forces overseas from being deported, insisting 'we will not let them down'.
But Shadow Immigration Minister Stephen Kinnock said the Rwanda scheme was 'doomed to fail' and that in the two years since it was announced, it had led to hundreds of millions of pounds being handed to the Rwandan government, while the only people flown to the capital Kigali had been three Home Secretaries.
'The boats have kept coming, the backlog has kept growing and the people-smugglers are still laughing all the way to the bank.
'Two years of headline-chasing gimmicks, two years of pursuing a policy that is fundamentally unworkable, unaffordable and unlawful. Two years of flogging this dead horse,' he said.
Illegal Migration Minister Michael Tomlinson called on MPs to finally pass the Rwanda bill
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 (file pic)
It is expected that the Lords will table more amendments aimed at watering down the Bill again today, which could be passed if crossbenchers and rebel Tories continue their opposition to the plan.
That will lead to a final round of parliamentary 'ping pong' on Wednesday when the Bill returns to the Commons for the amendments to be undone again before they are finally agreed to by the Lords. Ministers then hope the first deportation flight will take off 'within weeks'.
However, refugee charities, including Care4Calais, have vowed to launch legal challenges.
Veteran Tory MP Sir Bill Cash told the Commons: 'Let's get this Bill done. Let's get the House of Lords to calm down a bit.
'Let us also see what the judgement of the Supreme Court is on the wording – providing it is clear and unambiguous – of this Bill.'
MPs began voting on a series of amendments to the Bill at 8.30pm last night. Due to the Tory majority, the Government was expected to win all of them, undoing the changes inserted by the Lords.
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Worldly Wisdom news portal”。http://sudan.arandomquote.com/content-06c199924.html
Related articles
Sri Lanka expresses hope to join BRICS+
opinionsSri Lanka hopes to join BRICS+ in the near future, Sri Lanka's Ambassador to Russia Janitha Abey ...
【opinions】
Read moreCoronavirus toll reaches 490 in China
opinionsYour web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here ...
【opinions】
Read moreDepartment of Conservation set to lose scientific expertise in job cuts
opinionsThe fairy tern is among New Zealand's the country's most endangered birds. Photo: Supplied / Darren ...
【opinions】
Read more
Popular articles
- Sandra Bullock's teen son Louis towers over her during rare outing in West Hollywood
- Far North councillors vote 9 to 1 to seek delay in adding fluoride to water supply
- Doctors who visited Gaza speak of 'atrocities', collapsing healthcare
- Speed reduction reversal welcomed by West Coast
- Autistic schoolgirl, 16, took her own life at £44,000
- Auckland woman's breath
Latest articles
Beijing improves services to facilitate film and television projects
UN Security Council passes resolution calling for Gaza ceasefire
Literacy, numeracy tests as NCEA requirement 'detrimental' to learners
Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun to step down in shakeup amid safety crisis
Louisiana Supreme Court rules for new City of St. George
'They cruise, we lose'
LINKS
- Eli Lilly's new ad says weight
- Childcare subsidies to start from July, families eligible for up to $75 a week
- Waymo's robotaxi service expands into Los Angeles, starting free rides in parts of the city
- US and UK launch fresh strikes on Houthis in Yemen
- Chinese President Xi Jinping sends a message of sympathy to Donald Trump
- Death penalty for artist behind Kyoto anime fire, which killed 36
- Tear gas as crowds clash with riot police in Russia
- Government to spend more money on silt clean
- Ministry of Ethnic Communities, set up to 'heal wounds' of 15 March, faces job cuts
- Māori portrait to return from UK after decades