HOME OFFICE INEFFICIENCY SLAMMED

1.34.53pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 5th May 2004

Lib Dem Stephen Robinson has slammed the Home Office for inefficiency that will bring misery and chaos to 2,500 asylum seekers from countries that are now part of the EU. He said, "Ministers have known for months that support for asylum seekers from the enlarged EU will end, and should have been working with the families to help them return home or find work."

He added, "There is a strong prospect of legal challenges to deportation which will cost the country millions. The High Court has urged a guarantee of temporary support to prevent a deluge of legal challenges. Refugee agencies are already predicting chaos for councils, homelessness and a potential race relations backlash.

Our economy needs people who are willing to work and contribute and we should help them to do so. Figures show that refugees make a net contribution to our economy."