Sanctuary in Britain for 1,500 Iraqis who helped our troops

In a multi-million pound operation starting in April, the translators and their families will be flown here in groups of 100 every fortnight until the autumn.

They will be transported in military planes to an RAF base in the South-East where they will be processed by immigration officials.

They will then go to a hotel west of London for a few days before being resettled in two northern cities.

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There they will receive free housing and benefits to help them start their new lives.

Details of the highly-sensitive operation are being finalised by the Home Office and Border and Immigration Agency.

It is understood officials are liaising with the police about possible "community tensions" caused by the mass arrival of so many Iraqis.

There are said to be concerns about the background of a number of family members due to come here under the resettlement scheme.

A political row erupted last year when Gordon Brown refused sanctuary to 91 interpreters said to be facing death threats because of their work for UK forces in Iraq.

Insurgent death squads have murdered scores of local translators who they accuse of "collaborating".

Many of the survivors begged for asylum for themselves and their families as UK forces began to pull out of the country.

But the 91 interpreters still employed by the Army last summer were initially told they would not receive any special treatment, despite the terrible risks they took.

The Government later bowed to pressure and promised that Iraqis who risked their lives to work for us would be allowed to settle in Britain.

The number due to come out is far higher than previously thought because it includes close family members who may also be in potential danger.

Security sources said strict procedures were in place to ensure that the scheme is not exploited by those who do not deserve to be resettled here.

Officials are keen to keep costs to a minimum. One said: "The total bill, in terms of flights, hotels, housing and benefits will run into many millions of pounds. Nobody disputes these people deserve to come here.

"It is another cost of the Iraq War."

In December, ministers were accused of "wriggling out" of their pledge to provide sanctuary to former Iraqi interpreters.

It was claimed that hundreds of applicants had cases rejected, many because of non-attendance at work – even though they claim they stayed away because of death threats.

Around 600 Iraqis who worked for the British military have applied to settle in the UK, but so far 230 have had their cases turned down, them MOD admitted.

Iraqis must also prove at least 12 months of continuous service in order to be eligible to settle here.

Other coalition countries have been more generous, with the Danish government granting asylum to its surviving interpreters along with their families.

The Americans are promising to process 7,000 asylum claims this year for interpreters.

Foreign Secretary David Miliband launched a scheme in October for Iraqis to claim sanctuary.

Taxi drivers are being made to sit English tests after increasing complaints from passengers who cannot make themselves understood.

More and more immigrants from Eastern Europe and the Indian sub-continent are being recruited as cabbies because existing drivers are quitting in droves, fed up with drunken late-night behaviour.

But after feedback from passengers Leeds, Swindon and Northampton introduced language tests. Now Manchester has followed, with an exam for new applicants for black cab or private hire licences.

Applicants will have to respond correctly to requests such as: "Can you drop me off after the lights?" and: "Can I have a receipt?"

They will also have to speak clearly on topics such as their favourite place in England.

George Simms, of Manchester Taxi Owners and Drivers Association, welcomed the plan, saying: "It's no good if you get into a cab at the airport or the station and find the person behind the wheel doesn't understand you."