Government policy called barbaric

Harsh policies designed to make Britain a less welcoming place have no demonstrable influence on asylum seekers, according to a new report.

Independent research published by the Refugee Council shows refugees have little choice over which country in which they claim asylum.

Council chief executive Donna Covey said it showed the main reason people sought asylum in the UK was to escape conflict "and no amount of barbaric policy-making will influence whether they come here or not."

Professor Heaven Crawley of Swansea University, south Wales, wrote the report Chance or Choice: Understanding why asylum seekers come to the UK.

It appears to debunk a number of widespread myths.

One is the idea that asylum seekers are attracted by generous state hand-outs. The report claims three quarters of asylum seekers had no knowledge of welfare or benefits and support before coming to the UK.