'Cover-up' claim on foreign workers

Ministers are today accused of trying to cover up a report on exploitation of foreign workers.

The report claims they are working for a pittance but the study has never been published.

The role immigrants play in boosting the economy is a central plank of government policy and the report - leaked to The Guardian - threatens to reignite the row over immigration. The report was commissioned by the International Labour Organisation in Geneva and the TUC. It was delivered to them in August, marked "confidential".

An ILO official said the delay in publication came after "extensive comments from the British government".