The National Conversation on Immigration is the biggest-ever public consultation on immigration and integration.
Immigration has remained one of the most important issues for the public in recent years and was a factor in many voters’ decisions in the EU referendum. Leaving the EU presents an opportunity to reform Britain’s immigration policy. The current immigration system does not command public trust: this will only be restored by engaging the public in a debate about their views and concerns, and what policies we should now put in place.
Coordinated by British Future and HOPE not hate, the National Conversation on Immigration set out to hear from those with less voice in policy decisions. It comprised over 130 meetings with local citizens and stakeholders in 60 locations across every nation and region of the UK, together with an online survey and nationally representative research by ICM. In total 19,951 people took part.
This final report provides a comprehensive evidence base of public views on immigration, including reports from each of the 60 locations visited. It concludes with a series of recommendations to national and local government, business and civil society
The National Conversation on Immigration examines whether it is possible to build a consensus on immigration policy and what steps are needed to do so. It offers a model for deeper, ongoing public engagement from the Government on this issue as Britain sets out its future approach to immigration.
