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Sky News poll reveals public's concerns over immigration, especially if they don't know migrants

Summary
Poll finds 67% of people support tougher action on reducing immigration and finds fears greater among those who don't know migrants
By EIN
Date of Publication:

Sky News says a poll conducted as part of its week-long examination of the issue of immigration has found that 67% of people questioned said the coalition government's attempt to reduce net migration to 100,000 a year was not sufficient and that more should be done.

According to Sky News, a majority of 1,508 adults polled believe the NHS, education system, and housing and welfare systems have been negatively affected by immigration.

However, as Sky News and the Guardian noted, people are more likely to be concerned about immigration if they have little contact with migrants.

The Sky News poll found that 71% of people who live in the countryside think drastic action on immigration is needed, compared with 53% in urban areas.

In addition, the poll found that 71% of people who don't know any immigrants well support drastic action, compared with 58% who say they know immigrants well.

Home Secretary Theresa May told Sky News: "The Government understands the concerns that people have about immigration and concerns that over the years perhaps people feel politicians haven't addressed this in the way that they should."

"Immigration overall has been good for the country. What is a problem is when immigration is not controlled when we see it putting pressure on jobs, wages and public services."