Backlash grows over asylum plans

The Government today faced increasing anger over plans to build up to 20 asylum centres the length and breadth of rural Britain.

The proposal for the first three, in Worcestershire, Nottinghamshire and Oxfordshire, brought a hail of protest, and threats of demonstrations from angry villagers.

Each of the "experimental" centres will house 750 asylum seekers.

Home Office Minister Lord Rooker said that if the projects proved a success the scheme would eventually see 60 per cent of asylum seekers processed through the centres each year.

With each asylum seeker accommodated for six months while applications are processed, and 1,500 arriving every week, that would mean a further 15 centres nationwide.

Tony Baldry, MP for the Oxfordshire constituency of Banbury, said: "This is the wrong policy, the wrong site, the wrong location and the wrong time."