Labour says the cap, which was introduced recently, will only cover 20% of non-EU migrants and the government is cutting 5, 000 staff at the UK Border Agency.

BBC: David Cameron rejects Cable immigration criticism

The UNHCR also praised an agreement between the Syrian government and the opposition Syrian National Coalition which made the agency's "strictly humanitarian and non-political operation" possible.

BBC: UN aid reaches Syria rebel-held northern area of Azaz

There is an encouraging precedent: in 1997 Sallie Mae, the student loans agency, was privatised by separating its government-guaranteed loans and debts from its future, non-guaranteed, activities.

ECONOMIST: Homesick blues