TORY leader Michael Howard has claimed that every householder in Kent has paid £140 each to meet the £3billion that councils have spent supporting asylum seekers since Labour came to power.

In a key-note speech in Kent today Mr Howard said his party’s policies on controlled immigration and asylum would stop people abusing the system and reduce costs.

He denied that it was racist to impose limits on immigration and said a proper debate on the issue was being thwarted because people feared being labelled racist.

“The British people have always been willing to help those in genuine need. Tolerance and respect for others run in the bloodstream of British values. But many feel their tolerance, their sense of fair play and their desire to help others are being abused,” he told a press conference held at Maidstone’s County Hall.

He said people were frightened to talk about “their proper and legitimate concerns.

“I have a simple message. It is not racist to talk about immigration and not racist to criticise the system and it is not racist to impose limits on immigration.”

Mr Howard’s decision to make a second speech on asylum in a week will be seen as a clear signal that he intends to make it a key election issue despite concerns that his message may not appeal beyond core Conservative supporters.

He said Labour’s failure to get to grips with asylum had meant council spending had risen from £13million in 1997 to £400million – a 30-fold increase.

“That is the equivalent to £140 per household. That is the price we are paying for a system that is in chaos, overseen by a Prime Minister who has run out of ideas.”