Ross Kemp's Britain, Sky 1 - TV review: A hard-hitting documentary that handled subjects sensitively

Kemp did well to present many sides of this increasingly complex issue

Ross Kemp's Britain

Beneath England's pleasant pastures green lies a parallel world of migrants living in squalor to make ends meet for their families back home. Ross Kemp's Britain saw the EastEnders star tackle the highly emotive issue of immigration. He is better spoken than his Grant Mitchell alter-ego and now wears a zip-up dad fleece – but don't let that fool you.

In this politically charged episode, Kemp touched on benefits, homelessness, “work shy” Britons and asylum-seekers. Much of the footage will play into the hands of Brexit campaigners, but Kemp did well to present many sides of this increasingly complex issue.

His main aim was to clear up misconceptions about the number of people coming to the UK. An interview with an Oxford University expert revealed immigrants make up 13 per cent of the UK population. On balance, the evidence shows the economic benefits of immigration are relatively small but probably positive.

But as an Independent reader, it's likely you already knew that. More illuminating was a drop-in clinic at a Sikh temple in London, where it emerged the Government is paying for the airfares of immigrants who want to return home. Compare that to the £15,000 cost of deporting someone, and it should pacify most Daily Mail readers.

Ross Kemp's Britain succeeded as a hard-hitting documentary that also handled the subject matter sensitively. I'm intrigued to see how the actor will treat child sexual exploitation and alcohol abuse in the weeks to come.