Common sense and compassion must be the basis of our immigration policies

FIRMLY believe that immigration has brought more benefits to this country than challenges.

- Tony Vaughan MP FOR FOLKESTONE AND HYTHE

Immigration has enriched our society through the diversity of people and perspectives that it brings. Immigration has boosted this country's economy through increasing the quantity and quality of people working in our society.

It has been proven that companies with more diverse workforces are more productive.

In hard economic times, some find it easier not to critique our own rules and systems, but to blame migrants. We cannot fall into this trap, which has beset so many nations in the past. We should not just tolerate or respect those who have come to the UK from abroad; we should continue to be a warm and welcoming nation to those who want to build a better, safer, richer life here.