August 18, 2003

Abstract: (CPOD) Aug. 18, 2003 - British citizens are not satisfied with existing immigration guidelines and procedures, according to a poll by YouGov published in The Sun. 82 per cent of respondents say the government's policies regarding asylum seekers are not tough enough.

(CPOD) Aug. 18, 2003 - British citizens are not satisfied with existing immigration guidelines and procedures, according to a poll by YouGov published in The Sun. 82 per cent of respondents say the government's policies regarding asylum seekers are not tough enough.

Immigration is an important issue for Britons, outranking topics such as law and order, the war on terrorism and the European Union constitution.

A majority of Britons think some immigrants are abusing the system. 67 per cent of respondents believe less than 1/4 of all asylum seekers are genuinely fleeing persecution in their countries.

Polling Data

How would you rate the government's policies on immigration and people who seek asylum in Britain?

Too tough	6%
About right	8%
Not tough enough	82%

What are the most important political issues in Great Britain?

Immigration, asylum seekers	39%
Law and order	32%
War on terrorism	9%
European Constitution	8%
The Euro	6%

What proportion of people seeking asylum do you think are genuinely fleeing persecution in their own countries?

Less than 1/4 of all cases	67%
Between 1/4 and 1/2 of all cases	14%
Around half of all cases	7%
Between 1/2 and 3/4 of all cases	5%
3/4 of all cases or more	3%

Source: YouGov / The Sun
Methodology: Online interviews to 2,309 voters in Great Britain, conducted from Aug. 11 to Aug. 15, 2003. No margin of error was provided.