Asylum seekers in UK offered 6,000 pounds to go home

London: In a fresh move, Britain plans to offer up to 6,000 pounds to failed asylum seekers to return home and start a new life with a new house.

Afghans and Iraqis whose asylum claims have been rejected and who do not have the right to remain in Britain, can each claim 6,000 pounds of taxpayers' money if they agree to leave, The Sunday Telegraph reported today.

According to the report, ministers have authorised an extra 2,000 pounds housing grant for each person on top of an existing 4,000 pounds package.

A Home Office spokesman said 600 foreigners were expected to take up the additional cash. Refugees, who have been granted leave to remain in Britain and those whose asylum claims are yet to be decided, are also eligible.

The total cost of the new initiative is expected to be 1.2 million pounds a year.

The 2,000 pounds additional grant, known as the Return and Rebuild scheme, was launched in September with little publicity and is due to run for one year.