A YouGov poll of 4,368 British adults conducted between 5 and 10 September found that 26% regard immigration and asylum as one of the three most important issues in their local area. Nationally, 52% named it among the top issues, with immigration placed seventh behind the cost of living, health, crime and housing. The survey was commissioned by the campaign group Best for Britain.

Saeema Syeda of the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants said the findings support the view that there is no immigration crisis, describing it as a ‘manufactured panic’ pushed by some politicians and parts of the media to distract from what actually matters to people.

Best for Britain said the findings show that concerns around immigration are not based on personal experience for most people. It noted that media exposure and political discourse are fuelling anti-immigration sentiment in the UK. The group said measures to address the cost of living, such as closer trading relations with the EU, would attract cross-party support. Among Labour voters, 56% cited the cost of living as a major national issue and 39% mentioned the economy, while 34% named immigration as a major problem. Best for Britain’s Tom Brufatto said: ‘The data clearly demonstrates that media exposure and political discourse are fanning the flames of anti-immigration sentiment in the UK, causing the Government to lose support both to its right and left flank simultaneously.’