Britain's asylum system is "marred by inhumanity" and "not yet fit for purpose", according to a new report.

The Independent Asylum Commission said on Thursday that the treatment of asylum seekers "falls seriously below the standards to be expected of a humane and civilised society".

In its interim report, the commission warned that public confidence was being undermined by the system for deporting asylum seekers.

It said that the system often fails to support those in need and was not "firm enough" in deporting unsuccessful applicants.

"The commission has found that the UK asylum system is improved and improving, but is not yet fit for purpose," said the report.

"The system still denies sanctuary to some who genuinely need it and ought to be entitled to it; is not firm enough in returning those whose claims are refused; and is marred by inhumanity in its treatment of the vulnerable."

It criticised the policy of "using destitution as a lever to encourage voluntary return", adding: "The conduct of some enforced returns is tainted with inhumanity and causes unnecessary distress to the individuals and communities concerned."

Chairman Sir John Waite said: "There is much criticism of the asylum system in the UK, from those that find it too lenient while also from those that judge that its decisions are made too harshly.

"The British people want a system that is applied fairly, firmly and humanely - where people who need sanctuary are able to find it on our shores, while those who don't are dealt with effectively and with humanity.

"Until that goal is met, our asylum system will remain unfit for purpose."

'Care'

Border and Immigration Agency chief executive Lin Homer said the claims in the report "are not based on any thorough knowledge".

"I totally refute any suggestion that we treat asylum applicants without care and compassion," she said.

"We have a proud tradition in Britain of offering sanctuary to those who truly need our protection, and anyone seeking asylum can have their case reviewed by an independent judge."

Describing the system as "firm but humane", she said that the government expected those denied asylum to "return home voluntarily, saving taxpayers the expense of enforcing their return".

However, shadow home secretary David Davis said: "This is a shocking indictment of the asylum system under Labour showing that nobody wins - except those who should not be here.

"Labour's policies manage to be tough on the deserving yet lax on people whose claims are unfounded.

"And it is the British taxpayer who picks up the bill for this spectacular failure. Labour should be ashamed."

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg added that the government had "combined incompetence and inhumanity to create one of Europe's most inefficient and cruel asylum systems".

"Asylum seekers find themselves either treated with contempt or lost in a mass of government bureaucracy," he said. "The result is a stain on our moral authority as a nation."