The immigration minister is to visit the fire-damaged Yarl's Wood asylum centre on Thursday.

The Home Office is still considering the future of the Bedfordshire asylum centre which was partly destroyed in the fire on 14 February.

On 24 October, Beverley Hughes MP, minister for citizenship, immigration and community cohesion will meet representatives of the local community.

Ms Hughes has already made it clear that she believes the insurance claim against Bedfordshire Police Authority under the Riot Damages Act is too high.

Sprinkler system

She has said steps are being taken to ensure the burden of the insurance claim does not fall on the local authority, and ultimately, taxpayers.

Discussions between the Home Office and contractors have continued in an effort to settle the claim.

Design work to fit a sprinkler system into the remaining part of the centre, which was not damaged in the blaze, has also started.