Study highlights high-profile failures for eroding trust in border control

HIGH-PROFILE failures have eroded public trust in the Government to control immigration, according to a major new report.

Participants in a large-scale study flagged up difficulties in deporting foreign national prisoners at the end of their sentences.

The findings emerged in what researchers say is the biggest ever public consultation on immigration, with “citizens’ panels” held in more than 40 towns and cities around the UK.

An interim report titled National Conversation was compiled by think-tank British Future and campaign group Hope not hate and submitted to the Commons Home Affairs Committee.

It says: “A reason that many participants feel migration flows are uncontrolled is that they do not trust the Government to enforce immigration policy.

“Some of this lack of trust is associated with high-profile failures in the Home Office’s delivery of immigration policy. The failure to deport foreign national prisoners at the end of their sentences, for example, was mentioned in some panels.” The paper also found: Concerns about migration include pressures on the NHS, housing and schools, as well as social segregation;

There is a desire for migrants to integrate into communities and learn English;

Immigration is seen as positive when migrants bring skills and undertake important work, with their contribution to the NHS frequently cited.

Most of those who took part in the project are described as “balancers”, who see both the pressures and gains of immigration. One participant said: “I don’t think any of us are saying we don’t want people to come in. We are just saying people can come in if they can pay their way and integrate.”

Another commented: “I think immigration is positive for work, particularly within the NHS and things. I think we’ve got a lot of good doctors, nurses, professionals, who we wouldn’t have if we didn’t have immigration.”

Jill Rutter, director of strategy at British Future, said: “The public should have more of a say in the choices we make as Britain decides its post-Brexit approach to immigration.”

A Home Office spokesman said: “The British people sent a very clear message in the EU referendum: they want more control of immigration and our borders. That is why we are committed to reducing net migration to sustainable levels.”