'Work for benefits' rule to hit asylum rejects

Rejected asylum seekers will have to do community work in return for benefits under a new crackdown on abuses.

The new rule will apply to those whose claims are judged unfounded but who say their home countries are too dangerous to return to.

They will be put to work cleaning up graffiti or litter on estates - or lose their entitlement to benefits for food and shelter.

The rule will affect tens of thousands who say they cannot leave the UK, for security or health reasons.

In addition, ministers propose to stop refugees who succeed in getting asylum from claiming benefits backdated to when they first arrived in the UK.

Instead they will be offered loans based on individual need, which could be put towards buying a home.

The aim of the moves, put down in Parliament, is to discourage bogus applicants from targeting the UK.