Think-Tank Urges Curbs On Immigration
Immigration may be threatening Britain's status as a country, it has been claimed.
Updated: 13:47, Saturday April 21, 2007
Sky News
A pamphlet by social policy think-tank Civitas says the UK may already no longer be a single nation.
Author David Conway said that if Britain has become a “nation of immigrants” it could lead to political disintegration.
The 100-page booklet claims immigration has been allowed to continue at a “seemingly reckless pace.
“As a result of it, the country may possibly have already reached a tipping point beyond which it can no longer be said to contain a single nation.
“Should that point have been reached, then, ironically in the course of Britain having become a nation of immigrants, it would have ceased to be a nation.”
Shadow home secretary David Davis said: “We know that unchecked immigration is putting pressure on housing and local services.
“Now this report shows that its effects are potentially even more serious.”
He added: “Given the limited number of schools, hospitals and houses, the Government must apply a limit on the amount of people entering the country.”
A Home Office spokesman said: “The Government supports legal migration to the UK, which has been of great benefit to the economy.
“The Government is committed to pursuing a balanced migration policy.”
The spokesman added the number of people claiming asylum in the UK is now at its lowest level since 1993.
