Blunkett announces new asylum clampdown

David Blunkett has announced that failed asylum seekers will be required to undertake community work in order to qualify for food and homes.

Detailing amendments to the government's latest asylum legislation on Tuesday, the home secretary said the measures were necessary to deal with problems caused by groups of destitute people gathering on street corners.

The government said the measures were about matching rights with responsibilities.

"That is something for something, in the same way we are doing with our welfare to work programme," Blunkett told the BBC.

Other measures will restrict access to council housing as part of a bid to stop people returning to London from the "dispersal" areas around the country.

Shadow home secretary David Davis said the announcement had been rushed out ahead of Thursday's elections.

"We welcome the fact they at last seem to be taking the problem seriously, and some of these measures may make sense," he said.

"However, announcing hastily drawn up measures at the last minute hardly inspires confidence.

"This is entirely characteristic of Labour's incompetent and shambolic approach to asylum and immigration issues."

And Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Mark Oaten said the government was treating innocent people like criminals.

"Community service is for people who have committed crimes, not for people who have failed in their asylum claim," he said.

"If individuals cannot be deported through no fault of their own they should be allowed to do paid work.

"If the government really wants to reduce the benefits bill they should allow all asylum seekers to work for a decent wage while their applications are pending."