£73m from taxpayers so illegals can stay

[Bev]

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/view...gals-can-stay/

TAXPAYERS spent £73million to look after failed asylum seekers who should have been booted out of Britain.

Food and housing costs soared last year from the £4m spent four years ago after a huge backlog of cases built up.

Lawyers are using public funds to appeal against rulings by judges who have ordered foreigners to be deported.

A Home Office spokesman said the claimants had become more aware of Section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.

It allows asylum seekers to claim free accommodation and £35 a week in food vouchers for the duration of their appeal.

But Immigration Minister Phil Woolas blamed the legal aid gravy train for the rise in spending, He said: “A large proportion of those on Section 4 support have exhausted all rights of appeal.

“Their lawyers are continuing to frustrate and delay removals, playing the system and offering false hope.”

The figures were revealed in Parliament in reply to a question from Lib Dem MP Sarah Teather and revealed 9,365 failed asylum seekers got £8,000 each last year.

Tory immigration spokesman Damian Green said: “It’s simply not good enough for ministers to blame lawyers for the shambles.

“The Government needs very urgently to do something about the rising cost.”

Migrationwatch chairman Sir Andrew Green said: “The courts have decided, often after lengthy proceedings, that these people are not genuine refugees.”