LONDON, Oct 16: The British government has announced a series of drastic measures, aimed at toughening asylum laws and combating terrorism in the wake of last month’s attacks in the United States.

The measures announced by Home Secretary David Blunkett, in the parliament here on Monday, include tougher powers to remove suspected terrorists from the UK and also amending Britain’s 1999 Immigration and Asylum Act and making incitement to religious hatred a crime.

A spokesman for Prime Minister Tony Blair told reporters, “There will be one emergency bill which will cover some terrorism financing, incitement to religious hatred and amending the Immigration and Asylum Act to ensure that anyone suspected or convicted of ‘terrorist’ activity cannot be considered for asylum.”

These drastic measurers are part of the government plans to choke off threats after Osama bin Laden has threatened to hit both the US and British interests in retaliation for air strikes against Afghanistan and the Taliban.

Britain feels that it could become the next target for being the key American ally in the US-led campaign against Afghanistan. Intelligence reports have said that a number of people connected with the recent attacks had either passed through or even lived in Britain.

Blunkett told the Labour Party’s annual conference earlier this month of plans to introduce a new system of work permits similar to the US Green Card to try and clamp down on illegal workers while encouraging people with key skills.