The home secretary is to close a loophole which could allow refugees and asylum-seekers convicted of serious crimes to escape deportation.

David Blunkett will today announce that he is extending an existing law that allows a refugee or asylum seeker jailed for more than two years for a serious offence to be deported at the end of his sentence.

"The vast majority of people who come to the UK looking for our protection willingly abide by this country's laws, but I want to make clear that we will not accommodate those that abuse our hospitality and sanctuary by becoming involved in crime," he will say.

Meanwhile, the United Nations has criticised the government's plans to cut the amount of legal advice available to asylum seekers.