Labour’s open-door immigration policies have led to a lack of affordable housing, overcrowded trains and buses, clogged roads and a huge strain on the environment, said up to three in four people.

Over half of those surveyed said spiralling immigration is ruining the fabric of life in Britain.

With a record 1,650 immigrants settling here every day, nearly half said their city, town or village would be better off with fewer people.

Seven in 10 people said the current 61million population was already too high, with 69 per cent calling for cuts in immigration.

Shadow Immigration Minister Damian Green: “This poll demonstrates public unhappiness at the pressure on public services, imposed by high immigration numbers in recent years.

“This is a direct result of the ­Government’s long-term failure to control immigration.

“It shows why we badly need an annual limit on immigration.”

He promised that such a limit would be introduced if the Conservative party wins the next general election.

LibDem Home Affairs spokesman Chris Huhne said: “Years of Labour mismanagement of the immigration system has shattered public ­confidence in it.

“Since exit checks were abolished, we don’t even know how many people live here and the public wants the Government to get a grip.”

The YouGov poll interviewed more than 2,000 people in May. It was commissioned by the environmental think-tank the ­Optimum Population Trust, which is supported by natural history film-maker Sir David Attenborough.

Daily Express 3.07.2009