Middle class ‘do not grasp the problems of immigration’

Middle-class people are failing to understand the impact of migration on poorer workers because they are "insulated" from competition for jobs and services, a government minister warned today.

Communities Secretary John Denham said that while the affluent often felt "culturally enriched" by migration, working class people found it harder to accept because of the pressure it placed on their job, housing and training opportunities.

The result was a sharp divide in opinion on the benefits of migration and an understandable "sense of unfairness".

Mr Denham's warning, which follows the release of figures last week showing continuing high levels of immigration into Britain, came as he insisted that future migration should be curbed.

That comment is likely to be seized upon by the Tories, who have called for an annual cap on immigration, as a recognition by ministers of a need for action.

However, in a speech in London today, Mr Denham said the best way to tackle the tensions caused by migration was to accept the legitimate concerns of those who were most affected by it.