Kent has taken in more than its share of asylum-seekers,” he said.”This will, I hope, bring considerable relief to the local authorities in Kent. This is the first stage of the role out of the support scheme to all in-country applicants.” Mr Straw insisted that the Home Office was refunding “everything” claimed in costs relating to the support system operated in Kent, which does not include unaccompanied minors. Mr Straw’s announcement renewed the dispute over the right of MPs to speak freely on asylum-seekers.The argument follows comments in the Tory manifesto for May’s local government elections which stated that Britain was becoming “a soft touch for the organised asylum racketeers who are flooding our country with bogus asylum seekers”. Ann Widdecombe, Conservative spokeswoman for home affairs, claimed during angry exchanges that “unbelievable and unprecedented levels” of asylum-seekers refused permission to stay were remaining in this country since the Government came to power.But Mr Straw said the 1996 Immigration and Asylum Act, introduced under the last Tory government, was to blame for the “very considerable pressure” from asylum applications, borne “admirably” by district and county councils in Kent and London.

The Home Secretary urged Miss Widdecombe to explain why she supported plans to continue the payment of cash social security benefits to all new portasylum-seekers, which would cost the taxpayer £500m a year.The Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman, Simon Hughes, argued that many local authorities were still owed a large amount of the cost of asylum seekers. “We need to approach these difficult issues with temperate language, but above all with an accurate statement of the facts and the figures,” he said.Mr Straw said there was “discussion and disagreement” between Kent and the Department of Health over a £700,000 shortfall in respect of unaccompanied minors. “We accept that, where reasonable costs are incurred by local authorities, they should be met by central government.” Hundreds of caseworkers had been recruited. In March, 9,000 asylum decisions were made by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate, up from 1,000 towards the end of last year.Gwyn Prosser, Labour MP for Dover, said it was “politics at its lowest” for county councillors to attach the cost of keeping asylum-seekers to increases in council tax.. Prime Minister Tony Blair today paid tribute to Britain’s unsung heroes at an awards ceremony in London. Prime Minister Tony Blair today paid tribute to Britain’s unsung heroes at an awards ceremony in London.
He was at The Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards to honour ordinary people and inspirational celebrities who have displayed exceptional courage and determination.Among the winners were astronaut Michael Foale, who helped repair the stricken Russian space station Mir, and cricket legend Ian Botham, who has raised more than £4.5million for cancer charities.Mr Blair said: “This allows us to celebrate the achievements of some very special people. Those whose names do not appear in the newspapers but who have shown courage and tenacity in the most extraordinary circumstances.”He added: “It goes against the grain of our British character to draw attention to what we have achieved.”But the Pride of Britain Awards gives us a chance to cast this modesty aside, at least for a day.”The Prime Minister, who presented a special award to the emergency services who dealt with the Paddington rail disaster, was joined by a host of celebrities from the world of pop, film and television, including Robbie Williams, Michael Barrymore and American diva Diana Ross, who had flown in specially.Boyzone star Ronan Keating, who presented a Children of Courage award to Charley Harris, said: “It’s really important to recognise the people who have been great throughout the year.”Five-year-old Charley, from Exeter, Devon, was honoured after she had both her legs and three fingers amputated after contracting meningitis.Carol Vorderman, who hosted the event, said: “The stories of the people who received these awards are just fantastic.”Most award ceremonies, like the Oscars and Baftas, are for the celebrities.

But today the celebrities were here to honour the ordinary people who have turned disaster into triumph.”DJ Chris Evans, who presented a special award to the first British women to reach the South Pole, added: “It’s a different class. It’s unbelievable and humbling but it’s a chance to heighten awareness of the good guys.”Oscar winner Michael Caine, who presented a representative of the Gurkhas with an International Services to Britain award, was obviously moved by the awards. He said: “I’ve been to some awards in my time but never one like this.”We’ve all been crying out the back. If there are any actors watching you might like to know how unimportant you really are.”Many celebrities openly wept at the tales of bravery and endurance.Gehane Gordelier, who received a Teacher of the Year award from TV quiz show host Chris Tarrant, said: “It’s a great honour to be among such absolutely amazing human beings.”It helps to give you faith in man and womankind.”She was honoured after she became headteacher of a school in Tower Hamlets, east London, where not one pupil spoke English as a first language.Five-year-old Charlotte Carter of Trimdon, Co Durham, received a Children of Courage award from Ronan Keating after saving the life of her father, John, who fell into a diabetic coma in the bath He said: “I’m very proud of her. It’s a very emotional day.”The Mirror’s editor, Piers Morgan, said: “I think if Michael Caine says this is the most moving award ceremony that he’s ever been to, then we’re really on to something.”The Mirror is very proud to be able to honour these special people and we are delighted with the way the ceremony went.”The awards, backed by Virgin, were voted for by Mirror readers.A panel including Mo Mowlam, Posh Spice Victoria Beckham and Sir Trevor McDonald met to decide the winners.Coronation Street stars Liz Dawn and Bill Roache, TV presenter Davina McCall and Sir Richard Branson were among celebrities at the two-hour ceremony at the Hilton Hotel in London’s Park Lane..

It is 6am, and while most people are still asleep, Mike Callaghan, a pub landlord, is pulling his first pint. The Cock Tavern in London’s Smithfield Meat Market is as packed as any night-time local; the jukebox is playing and the air is filled with the smell of beer, grilled steaks and sausages. It is 6am, and while most people are still asleep, Mike Callaghan, a pub landlord, is pulling his first pint. The Cock Tavern in London’s Smithfield Meat Market is as packed as any night-time local; the jukebox is playing and the air is filled with the smell of beer, grilled steaks and sausages.
Around the bar, it’s ER meets Emmerdale as apron-clad butchers rub shoulders with nurses, surgeons and even off duty policeman all winding down at the end of their night’s shift with a pint or two.The Cock Tavern has opened its doors at daybreak for 150 years, enjoying a tradition reserved for pubs in market towns throughout the country which can open their doors at the crack of dawn for stallholders and delivery drivers.Mr Callaghan, 52, who has been running the pub for nearly 12 years, admits that to outsiders, drinking beer and eating steak at 6am seems bizarre, but he wouldn’t swap it for a regular alehouse. The amiable banter of people enjoying themselves and the trouble-free atmosphere is too good to give up.Mr Callaghan is equally laid-back about proposed changes to the licensing laws which could lead to 24-hour opening in pubs around the country.”If other pubs fancy trying opening at 6.30am, good luck to them,” he said.