“Making control and contribution the core themes of the White Paper fits with where most of the public is. But the majority are ‘balancers’ on immigration and would apply that selectively, rather than seeking to drive down net migration at all costs. Getting that balance right, and delivering on the promises it makes, could help the Government start to rebuild public trust on immigration.
“The public is certainly not crying out for fewer migrant care home workers – seven in ten do not want reductions. Having cancelled the social care visa, the government needs to reassure people that it has a plan to ensure our creaking social care system has the workers it needs, and treats those already here fairly.
“This White Paper rightly says that integration matters, but some of its measures could damage rather than encourage integration. It’s hard to see how a ten-year wait before someone can become British helps them integrate. Most of the public are happy for people to be eligible for citizenship after five years. The government should be proactive on citizenship, not punitive.” Sunder Katwala, Director of British Future.
Public concern about immigration is largely focused on small boats rather than migration for work or study, according to new Focaldata research published by British Future.
Most of the public would choose not to reduce migration of people coming to the UK for a wide range of jobs, from doctors (77%) and care home workers (71%) to fruit pickers (70%), catering staff (63%), lorry drivers (63%) and engineers (65%). Two-thirds (65%) say they would not reduce the number of students coming to the UK.
People who voted Labour in 2024 are even less inclined to support reductions, with 55% preferring overall immigration numbers to stay the same or increase.
The new research also finds that 59% of the public, and 64% of 2024 Labour voters, agree that migrants living in the UK and paying taxes should be eligible to apply for citizenship after five years or less.
Focaldata surveyed a nationally-representative sample of 1,085 GB adults online, with an additional boost of 510 people who votes Labour in the 2024 General Election, from 2-6 May 2025. Results have been weighted.
Please click on the link below for more in-depth analysis on our poll findings.
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