General Election 2015: Immigration - how the parties are playing the numbers game

In 1985, only a tiny minority of Britons named immigration as one of the most important issues. Today it ranks alongside the economy and the health service as the most pressing of voters’ concerns

Border Force check the passports of passengers arriving at Gatwick Airport (Getty Images)

Limiting numbers

The latest statistics show net annual migration to Britain at almost 300,000. Before the last election, David Cameron pledged to reduce the figure to “tens of thousands”. This time, the Tories say they have the “ambition” of achieving that figure through “tough new welfare conditions and robust enforcement”. The party would tighten the student visa system and retain a 20,700 yearly cap on the number of non-EU skilled migrants. The toughest approach is advocated by Ukip, which suggests an annual limit of 30,000 to 50,000. It would repair the “broken” immigration system by imposing a five-year moratorium on admitting unskilled workers and an Australian-style points system for skilled migrants. Labour does not commit itself to a figure, but agrees on the need for a cap on non-EU workers and promises to tighten student visa rules.

Amnesty International volunteers lie in 200 body bags on Brighton beach to highlight the migrant crisis in the Mediterranean (Getty) (Getty Images)

The Liberal Democrats would assess skills shortages and the impact of migration on services. The Greens are dismissive of an “arbitrary” cap, but argue: “Some controls on immigration will be needed for the foreseeable future.”

Benefit restrictions

The major Westminster parties agree that freedom of movement within the European Union has created a “pull-factor” drawing economic migrants to the UK.

Labour would prevent people from claiming benefits during their first two years in Britain and stop child benefit payments being sent to youngsters abroad.

The Conservatives would press for new EU rules barring migrants from receiving tax credits and child benefit until they have worked in Britain for four years, while migrants would have to wait four years to be entitled to council housing. The Lib Dems would also tighten benefit rules for EU migrants. They would require new Jobseekers Allowance claimants with poor English skills to attend classes. Ukip would stop migrants from getting benefits for five years.

---

Are you undecided about who to vote for on 7 May? Are you confused about what the parties stand for and what they are offering? Take this interactive quiz to help you decide who to vote for...

Click here to launch

---

Migrant workers

Labour is calling for tougher action to combat the “exploitation” of migrant workers which it says attracts incomers and undercuts wages locally: it would ban recruitment agencies from only recruiting abroad and clamp down on gangmasters. The Tories would also crack down on illegal working and take stronger action against employers who do not pay the minimum wage.

Border controls

There is agreement between the main parties over the need for full exit checks,which have still not been fully introduced. Labour would recruit an extra 1,000 border staff paid for by an extra charge on non-visa visitors to Britain, while Ukip would retrain former members of the armed forces as immigration staff. The Tories would fast-track removals of illegal immigrants by ending “opportunities for spurious legal challenge”.

Asylum

Labour and the Lib Dems would end the “indefinite detention” of people in the asylum and immigration system. Labour would also end it for pregnant women and sex abuse victims.

Scotland and Wales

Nationalist parties want a change in UK-wide immigration rules. The SNP says: “Scotland needs an immigration policy suited to our specific circumstances and needs.” Plaid Cymru backs the creation of a Welsh Migration Service to monitor skill shortages. Both parties back the reintroduction of two year post-study work visas.

---

The Independent has got together with May2015.com to produce a poll of polls that produces the most up-to-date data in as close to real time as is possible.

Click the buttons below to explore how the main parties' fortunes have changed:

All data, polls and graphics are courtesy of May2015.com. Click through for daily analysis, in-depth features and all the data you need. (All historical data used is provided by UK Polling Report)