David Blunkett has announced a renewed crackdown on abuse of the asylum system.

The home secretary announced on Monday a consultation on tougher new anti-asylum laws.

Under the proposals, those who arrive in the UK without travel documents could face prosecution.

Blunkett warned migrants who destroy their passports and travel tickets as a way of beating the system will no longer get lenient treatment.

Abuse of the asylum appeals system and ending the use of unqualified legal advisers will be at the centre of the new round of changes.

Blunkett wants to cut the length of time and the cost to taxpayers.

He argued the current system has too many layers which leave it open to abuse by unfounded asylum claimants.

Under the plans unveiled by the home secretary people who destroy or discard their travel documents will face added penalties.

And families who are able, but unwilling, to return to their home country will see an end to support.

"These new measures will introduce a single tier of appeal and give new powers to the regulator to act against the legal advisers who are simply giving advice on how to defraud the system," Blunkett said.

"Too often unscrupulous and unqualified legal advisers are encouraging claimants to lodge appeal after appeal with no prospect of success, all at taxpayers' expense."

The home secretary defended his reforms against claims that the government was adopting an anti-immigration stance.

"The asylum system cannot work in the interests of genuine refugees if it is widely abused and open to exploitation by criminal gangs and the so-called legal advisers who help them," he said.

"Some people will call these measures controversial. But to me, facing up to the real challenges posed by the changes in global migration is vital to building tolerance and understanding in our diverse communities."