Mismanagement of Asylum system highlighted in report

12.00.00am GMT Mon 7th Jan 2008

Commenting on today's report from Barnardo's 'Like Any Other Child?' on children and families in the asylum process, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne said:

"This report is further damning evidence of years of mismanagement of the asylum system.

"Simply shoving asylum seekers into substandard accommodation for years whilst the Government desperately tries to clear the backlog, is neither humane nor practical.

"There is a clear case for ending asylum seekers' dependence on benefits, allowing them to work so they can pay their own way and use their skills to benefit everyone."