Jail terms for people found guilty of human trafficking are to be raised to 14 years, the home secretary has announced.

In a speech on Tuesday David Blunkett said the current 10-year tariff is no longer a deterrent for the organised gangs smuggling refugees into the UK from Europe through sea ports.

The change in the law will be included in the immigration, asylum and citizenship white paper, which will be published by the government next month.

"I am determined to penalise those engaged in people smuggling and who help immigration offenders to remain here unlawfully," he said. "The new maximum penalty of 14 years gives the clearest of signals. We are already acting, in the Proceeds of Crime Bill, to strengthen our powers to seize and confiscate the assets built up by criminals."