The Home Office and the Department of Health are considering the introduction of compulsory HIV and TB tests for anyone who wants to move to Britain, according to reports.

The move comes amid an alarming increase in HIV infection rates in the UK.

Having battled to halt the growth of the disease during the 1990s, health authorities have reported an increase from 4909 new cases in 2001 to 6172 last year, according to Public Health Laboratory Service figures.

The rise is particularly sharp for cases acquired overseas, prompting a fresh look at proposals for screening immigration applicants for HIV and tuberculosis (TB).

Officials are said to be particularly concerned at cases of "health tourism" which they feel is an abuse of the free care provided by the NHS by those with pre-existing health conditions.

Any moves to introduce screening may be accompanied by measures to restrict access to the NHS for HIV positive immigrants.

The Times on Thursday quoted an unnamed source close to the government review as saying that while there was no timescale for the change, discussions were at an advanced stage.

"Compulsory HIV and TB tests are something we are actively planning. However, we need to ensure that we have the mechanisms in place to implement the proposals immediately they are announced," the source said.

"What we want to avoid is a six-month window in which people can take advantage of the existing system."

Downing Street refused to confirm the decision but a spokesman for the prime minister told the Times: "We know people are arriving in Britain with diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B and TB. There is no doubt we have to deal with this issue. That's why we're carrying out a review."

The move would be backed by the Conservatives, who said that such measures were vital "both to protect immigrants themselves and the general population of Britain".