Without immigration, wed be a lonely, isolated isle

A paradox of public opinion is that immigration is unpopular, but immigrants are not.

- JOHN RENTOUL

Most British people say that immigration numbers should be lower, but when they are asked about the jobs that immigrants do, they are in favour of more people coming to live in the UK or the numbers staying the same.

That applies most of all to doctors, nurses, care home workers and engineers, but there is no majority for reducing the numbers of even the most unpopular occupation – bankers – according to a recent survey by Ipsos.

So although today’s projection by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) that the population will increase by 5 million in a decade may seem alarming, there are some things that should be remembered.

Above all, the bottom line is that economic success and net immigration go together. This is not the same as saying we need doctors and care workers or else the NHS and social care system will break down. Opponents of immigration are entitled to respond to that by saying that we should train the workers we need in Britain.