New arrivals who fail to apply for asylum when they arrive in the country will continue to be denied food and shelter despite a defeat for the government in the Court of Appeal yesterday.

Three judges, led by Lord Phillips, the Master of the Rolls, supported a High Court ruling that new benefit restrictions have "serious defects" and have been applied unfairly.

But David Blunkett, the home secretary, said the procedures had been redrawn to meet the criticism.

He also said the policy of refusing benefits to asylum seekers who make late applications remained lawful and would continue.