More than 800 people have illegally the crossed the English Channel in small boats since Monday, Home Office figures reveal.
263 people reached UK waters in seven small boats on Thursday, according to the latest official daily totals.
It follows 514 on Wednesday and 61 on Monday, taking the total for the week to 838.
Criminal gangs along the northern French coast took advantage of a brief improvement in weather conditions to launch multiple small boats.
263 people reached UK waters in seven small boats on Thursday (stock pic)
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The weather in the Channel has now deteriorated again, with fresh winds and waves making conditions impassable for small boat launches.
The surge in illegal arrivals caused the Government to announce a Migrant Emergency in the Channel.
Despite this, official sources confirmed that the Rwanda bill, currently making its way through parliament, would not now get Royal assent until April 18.
The first flights carrying asylum seekers to Rwanda are not now expected to take off until at least June.
The Times has reported that the Government has yet to secure a contract with an aviation company, willing to carry out flights.
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The surge in small boat arrivals this week has taken the total number for the year so far to 4,306
GB NEWSThe outlet said that the Royal Air Force was resisting attempts to use RAF aircraft to ferry asylum seekers instead.
Service chiefs are understood to be concerned about the security implications of being involved in the controversial scheme.
The RAF would also struggle with the availability of aircraft from the likes of its Voyager fleet.
Those aircraft can carry passengers, but also double as tanker aircraft from the RAF's fast jet fleet, and are in high demand.
In recent weeks, Voyager aircraft have provided tanker support to RAF Typhoons as they travelled on 3,000 mile round trips from Cyprus to bomb Houthi rebel targets in Yemen.
A Government spokesperson said: “Stopping the boats is a priority for this government. We have robust operational plans in place for flights following discussions with a range of commercial companies, and departments are working across Whitehall towards ensuring the first flights leave for Rwanda as soon as possible."
The surge in small boat arrivals this week has taken the total number for the year so far to 4,306.
That figure is more than 600 higher than the 3,683 who crossed the Channel at this point last year.
