Oliver Letwin

Asylum seekers would spend five years on probation under new proposals unveiled by the Conservatives.

The idea is part of radical plans contained in a document setting out the way in which party policy could develop in the run up to the next general election.

They would also be a requirement for applicants to sign a "contract of obligations" when temporary asylum is granted.

Breaches of the contract could result in asylum status being withdrawn, if the proposals become party policy.

The proposals were set out in a review of policy led by MEP Timothy Kirkhope, a former Home Office minister who was responsible for asylum issues.Other suggestions include strict new rules to govern the way asylum cases are handled and a move towards only accepting state persecution as a legitimate reason for granting asylum.

The party also called for the repatriation of Britain's contributions to the European Union's aid budget, which totals nearly £1 billion per year. The party could use the cash to support asylum seekers and those granted asylum in safe countries neighbouring the state from which they are fleeing.

Shadow home secretary Oliver Letwin described the document as "an interesting contribution" to the debate on asylum policy.

"It gives us much food for thought as we move forward to further development of our policy on asylum," he added.