The latest government powers to tackle the asylum crisis have come into force.

They form part of a package of measures designed to deal with the issue as ministers seek to meet Tony Blair's pledge to half the number of asylum seekers by September.

The controversial plans, unveiled last year, are intended to reduce the number of asylum claims and remove much of the red tape that prevents quick processing of asylum cases.

Home secretary David Blunkett has argued that the reforms constitute "the most over arching and radical reform of our laws on nationality, immigration and asylum for 30 years".

A key plank of the reforms will be the power to remove people of dual nationality whose activities are found to be "seriously prejudicial" to the national interest, or those who obtained their status through deception.

The move comes amid much disquiet about spiralling immigration figures and increasing public concern over potential links between asylum seekers and terrorism.

Controversial figures such as radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza, have been seen as potential targets for the new legislation.

Announcing the plans, the home secretary said he would "take action against anyone who has acted in a way which is totally incompatible with holding British citizenship".

"If we are to welcome those that aspire to and qualify for British citizenship, we must also ensure that those who acquire it by deception or prove to be abusing the privilege of that citizenship by acting against the UK's vital interests, are not able to retain it," he said.

Blunkett said the new measures would also target people coming to Britain to work illegally.

"Illegal working fuels the underground economy, creates unfair competition and leaves workers vulnerable to dangerous conditions, poor pay and exploitation from unscrupulous employers and criminal trafficking gangs."

The home secretary hopes that new rules of workplace access will enable immigration officers to identify illegal workers with more success, whilst changes to the judicial process are intended to increase the number of convictions and act a deterrent to unscrupulous employers.

A further component of the reforms is a streamlining of the asylum appeals process, to prevent multiple cases being brought to the courts by failed asylum seekers attempting to prolong their stay in the country.

"The measures which come on line today will help to deal with the current, frequently farcical, situation whereby people we have determined not to be in need of protection lodge timewasting or late appeals in order to frustrate the proper removal process."

Blunkett indicated that he had high hopes that a raft of measures would see the government get on top of the asylum crisis by September.

"I am committed to continuing to drive forward these reforms to tackle abuse of the asylum system, deterring unfounded applicants to cut the number of applications by September; restoring value and meaning to becoming a British citizen; and ensuring that our immigration laws are not exploited," he said.