Two Christian campaigners from Manchester set up camp outside the Houses of Parliament on Monday to protest against the government policy they believe is making thousands of refused asylum seekers destitute.

Ben Gibbs and Ben Gilchrist will live on Red Cross food parcels to highlight the fact that refused asylum seekers receive no benefits, even though they are not permitted to work, and are often forced to rely on handouts from charities and faith groups. The campaigners will also devote time to prayer for a change in policy and meet MPs to raise their concerns.

Gibbs was quoted by Ekklesia as saying, "We are deeply concerned about the destitution suffered by thousands of refused asylum seekers who are denied support or the right to work in the UK, but are unable to return to unsafe home countries.

"The way that refused asylum seekers are being treated in this country is disgusting. Our Government is basically trying to starve people into submission and force them out of the country when they're terrified of returning home."

Gibbs and Gilchrist have invited supporters to join them in their daily prayer at 8am, noon or 7pm and campaign with them during the two-week protest, which is part of the Still Human Still Here campaign being run by a coalition of human rights and faith groups.

Throughout the protest, Gibbs will post his experiences in a blog, whilst real-life stories of asylum seekers will be added to a website specially set up for the protest.

Gibbs was quoted by Ekklesia as saying: "Some of the stories I have heard from asylum seekers are deeply upsetting - people are desperate and some are profoundly depressed.

"It has certainly confirmed for me just why we are fighting this campaign: using destitution to starve people into returning to an unsafe home country is inhumane. It is to our shame that people are deliberately made hungry and homeless in a prosperous country like the UK.

"I was amazed at how dignified and good-humoured the people I met were, even in this abject poverty."

On the web: www.asylumstories.co.uk asylumstories.co.uk/protest/