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Since 2001 heightened national security concerns followed by the current economic woes have led to immigration becoming an important area of concern in the United Kingdom (GMF, 2008). Net immigration into the United Kingdom has been increasing with time leading to an increase in the migrant population. As per figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), in 2007, the net immigration into the country was 237,000, while in 2006 it was 191,000. These figures show that there was a growth of 25% in the net immigration into the United Kingdom in the last year (Boycott, 2008).

This large influx of immigrants has raised concern over their possible economic contribution to the nation, security issues and the capability of the public services to cope with the unexpected rise in population of the country (Select Committee on Economic Affairs, 2008) Immigrants into the United Kingdom tend to group together and not meld within the local communities. The large influx of immigrants is posing a threat to the peace and stability of the local communities. For example in Peterborough, Burnley and Barking and Dagenham, which are three areas of high immigrant populations there is the lowest cohesion in the community, when compared top other areas.

This has heightened public anxiety on the rapid increase in rate of immigration (BBC NEWS, 2008). In addition to this factor, there is the issue of increasing influx of illegal immigrants into the United Kingdom from countries like India. After entering the country, they are prepared to work for low wages causing problems to the local workers (Bannerji, 2008). Finally the largesse of the United Kingdom in granting asylum to individuals facing persecution in their native lands has been misused to increase the number of migrants into the country.

The political perspective of this is reflected by the claims of the Immigration Minister Phil Woolas that “most asylum seekers were not fleeing