More than 75% of British people want to see a cut in immigration, a survey of social attitudes has revealed.
Fewer people now than in 2011 think immigration is bad for the economy 47% last year compared with 52% two years previously, new findings from NatCen Social Research’s British Social Attitudes survey found.
The latest results of the survey, which are to be revealed in a BBC Two documentary the Truth About Immigration tonight at 9.30, come nearly a week after access restrictions to the UK labour market were lifted for Romanians and Bulgarians.
Penny Young, chief executive at NatCen Social Research, said: “A majority of people who think immigration is good, economically or culturally, for the UK still want to see it cut.
“These findings highlight the complexity of this issue for politicians facing two elections in 18 months.”
In the documentary, former Labour ministers reflect on their decision to open the doors to eastern Europe in 2004.
Former foreigh secretary Jack Straw said: “The predications were completely catastrophic…wrong by a factor of 10. On immigration, it was bluntly a nightmare.”
David Blunkett, home secretary from 2001 to 2004, said, however: “I’m unapologetic because if you don’t have legal managed migration and people don’t sign up so they pay national insurance and tax, they’ll work illegally.”