London, Sept. 8 : British MPs have reportedly introduced a proposal to place a cap on the number of immigrants settling in the country with a view to having a more “balanced” immigration policy.

According to The Times, a YouGov poll-cum-report initiated by a new cross-party parliamentary group suggests significant cuts in immigration, a decision backed by most political parties.

The report calls for a balanced migration policy under which immigration is capped in line with the number of emigrants to maintain a stable population.

The reports authors say that ministers should reduce the number of non-EU migrants allowed to settle permanently in Britain.

Government statistics suggest that about seven million more people will come to live in Britain by 2031, equivalent to adding seven cities the size of Birmingham, the group said.

Eight-one per cent of Labour voters, 83 per cent of Liberal Democrats and 89 per cent of Conservatives have backed the call for immigration curbs, according to the poll commissioned on the group’s behalf by the think-tank Migrationwatch UK.

Among ethnic minority voters, 75 per cent thought that immigration should be cut, with 36 per cent backing balanced migration and 39 per cent wanting even tougher limits.

The group, which includes Lord Ahmed, the first Muslim peer, and Lord Carey of Clifton, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, believes that its proposals would reduce pressure on public services, infrastructure and the environment and enable the economy to stay competitive. (ANI)