The government is backing a stricter and standardised immigration policy across the European Union.

At a Brussels meeting of foreign ministers, Peter Hain said that the status quo is no longer acceptable and will lobby for stricter controls to deter abuses.

Warning that some EU countries are seen as a "soft touch" the Europe minister says that some countries are willing to turn a blind eye to illegal immigrants who eventually attempt to seek asylum in the UK.

"We must improve controls at borders in Italy, Spain and Greece, otherwise they just migrate to the Sangatte camp the other side of the Channel," he said ahead of the meeting.

"Instead of just letting them go on to their next destination they should have common procedures [so] that people are interviewed."

If the applications are then rejected, Hain believes the asylum seeker should be "returned to where they came from".

"It is clear that large sections should not have arrived here at all," he added.