More than 3,000 migrants have already crossed the Channel this year (Image: Getty)
More migrants will die attempting to cross the Channel unless flights to Rwanda create a deterrent, a minister has warned.
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Home Office minister Lord Sharpe, speaking as Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda Bill passed through the House of Lords with a series of amendments, admitted he was frustrated by attempts to thwart efforts to stop small boats reaching the UK.
He also declared taxpayers will be forced to continue spending millions every day housing migrants in hotels.
Lord Michael Howard, the former Conservative Party leader, warned efforts to water down the Rwanda Bill were preventing the Government from stopping more boats.
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The Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill, which suffered 10 defeats in the unelected chamber, received an unopposed third reading although critics made clear their opposition to the "stinker" plan.
At least 11 migrants are feared to have died crossing the Channel this year (Image: Getty)
Lord Sharpe told Peers: "Under our new legislation migrants will not be able to frustrate the decision to remove them to Rwanda by bringing systemic challenges about the general safety of Rwanda. It is imperative the scheme as provided for in this Bill is robust and sends the unambiguous message that if you enter the UK illegally you will not be able to build a life here.
"Instead you will be detained and swiftly returned either to your home country or to a safe third country."
He added: "In light of the non-Government amendments agreed by the House, it is clear that many members do not agree on how to end the misuse of our immigration process.
"But it is not an option for us to not act. Without a plan or an alternative approach more lives will be tragically lost at sea and the financial burden on the British taxpayer will grow as millions of pounds will continue to be spent each day accommodating people in hotels."
Lord Sharpe said: "Although I have no doubt the amendments passed by this House are well intended, some do indeed seek to undermine the core purpose of the Bill and will continue to allow relocations to Rwanda to be frustrated. I have no doubt we will be debating these matters vigorously again shortly."
Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda Bill is now expected to return to the House of Commons next week.
MPs are expected to overturn all of the amendments voted for by Peers.
Dozens of migrants are packed into every boat bound for Britain (Image: Getty)
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Lord Sharpe of Epsom said: "I think we can all agree that there is common ground in the view that we need to stop the boats. We need to prevent the tragic loss of lives at sea and bring an end to the horrid trade of the criminal gangs, who are exploiting people for financial gain.
"Where there is disagreement is on the means by which we can achieve this and the strength of our desire to carry out the will of the British public to control our borders and to tackle this global crisis of illegal migration."
While he argued progress had been made in stemming small boat crossings, he added: "There is of course more to do.
"To stop the boats and prevent people taking such perilous journeys across the Channel we need to send out a message that if you arrive in the United Kingdom by such means you will not be able to stay. We need to be able to take bold and innovative steps to create a strong deterrent that will stop the loss of lives at sea and our partnership with Rwanda provides just that."
Some 2,000 migrants are said to be in camps in Calais and Dunkirk waiting to cross the English Channel, it is understood.
And migrant support charity Care4Calais has claimed 11 people have died attempting to reach the UK so far this year – including a seven-year-old girl.
But former Tory former leader Michael Howard warned changes made by peers to the Rwanda Bill will lead to delay in dealing with an “urgent” issue.
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Speaking as the legislation cleared the upper chamber and heads back to the Commons, Lord Howard of Lympne said: "I cast no aspersions on the motivation which has led to the amendments which members have passed.
"But an undeniable consequence of most of those amendments would be delay - delay in dealing with an issue which is regarded as important and urgent by very many people in our country. An issue to which no alternative remedy has been advanced.
"I therefore hope that this point may be taken into account by members in another place (the Commons) even if not by most peers."
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