Iraqis face 'ultimatum' to leave UK

The Guardian newspaper said it had seen leaked Home Office correspondence on the matter.

It reported that the Iraqis involved would be told that unless they sign up for a voluntary return programme to Iraq within three weeks, they face being made homeless and losing their state support.

They will also reportedly be asked to sign a waiver agreeing the Government will take no responsibility for what happens to them or their families once they return to Iraqi territory.

The newspaper quoted a letter from the Border and Immigration Agency's (BIA) case resolution directorate which it said makes it clear the Home Secretary considers travel to Iraq from the UK is "both possible and reasonable".

The letter continues: "Therefore these Iraqi nationals no longer qualify for support under this criterion."

The BIA internal letter was signed by Claire Bennett, deputy director of the case resolution directorate, and says the Iraqis will need to "demonstrate they are taking all reasonable steps to leave the United Kingdom or that they are placing themselves in a position in which they are able to do so".

The Home Office said that the stance had been the case for some time, but that correspondence was being sent out in the near future to remind people of the situation.

A Home Office spokesman could not give a specific number of those who would receive correspondence but estimated the figure was in the hundreds.

He said where appropriate, Iraqis genuinely in need of protection, for example some former interpreters, will be granted asylum, with an independent judicial process.