Eight out of ten Brits want immigration to be slashed

London, Feb 20(ANI): An official UK government poll has revealed that the negative attitudes towards immigration were not softening in the country, as nearly eight out of 10 Brits want immigration to be slashed.

According to the Department of Communities and Local Government, 77 percent of people thought immigration should be cut.

More than half of respondents said they wanted immigration reduced by a great deal, and nearly a quarter of ethnic minorities said the number of immigrants coming to Britain should be cut.

The survey also found that students, better-paid workers and holders of degrees were far more favourable towards immigration than those further down the wage scale and people without qualifications, who often find themselves competing with migrant workers.

Meanwhile, Labour MP Frank Field and Tory Nicholas Soames, co-chairmen of the Cross-Party Group on Balanced Migration, have indicated that the issue of immigration is shaping up as a key electoral battleground.

"As has been shown in poll after poll, the overwhelming majority of British people want immigration reduced. They are absolutely right. Net migration must be reduced to less than 40,000 in order to prevent the population reaching 70 million, which official projections say it will do in 2029," The Daily Express quoted Soames, as saying.

"It's time that the leaders of the main parties responded to this legitimate concern, rather than leave the field wide open to extremists," he added.

Shadow Immigration Minister Damian Green said: "The public are right to be concerned that immigration has run out of control under this Government.

"A Conservative Government would make big cuts in the annual immigration rate, which would help our public services and reduce tensions between communities," he added. (ANI)