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British people want EU migrants to stay in UK: Poll

A poll shows 84% of Britons say EU citizens already staying in the UK should be able to stay.

A new poll shows that most British people want EU migrants already living in the UK to be allowed to stay in the country following the historic referendum on Brexit in June.

According to the ICM poll for the British Future thinktank, more than eight out of 10 Britons believe that the migrants benefit their economy and the country as a whole.

The findings show that 84% say EU citizens already staying in the UK should stay and this includes a majority of both Leave voters (77%) and UKIP (the UK Independence Party) supporters (78%).

Forty-six percent would be happy to see an increase in the number of immigrants to their country and forty-two percent believe that it should stay the same, shows the poll.

While 12% want reductions in the number of highly skilled workers, 62% want numbers of low-skilled workers decreased, according to the poll.

Three-quarters of those surveyed agree with the call for a “sensible policy to manage immigration that controls who comes to the UK, but still keeps the immigration that is good for our economy and society, and maintains Britain’s tradition of offering sanctuary to refugees who need protection,” the poll shows.

According to British Future, the poll confirms that the majority of people in post-Brexit fall into what it calls the “anxious middle.”

“There are sure to be changes to immigration policy once we know what shape Brexit takes,” said Jill Rutter, director of strategy for British Future. “That will bring challenges but it also presents an opportunity – for a comprehensive review of a system that is widely believed to be failing and in which the public has lost all confidence.”

On June 23, some 52 percent (17.4 million) of British people voted to leave the EU after 43 years of membership.

The Brexit vote result caused political turmoil in Britain and sent economic shockwaves through the country.

The pound fell to its lowest level in 31 years, around $1.3120, its lowest level since mid-1985. Nearly $3 trillion was also wiped off the value of world stocks.


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