47% of Britons Embrace Anti-Immigrant Hysteria - Survey

Some 47% of Britons firmly oppose allowing Bulgarians and Romanians to live, work or claim benefits in the UK, according to a new survey.

The survey conducted by Channel 5 News reveals that 56% of respondents believe immigration has resulted in a negative impact on Britain.

The survey found just a quarter of respondents thought Romanians and Bulgarians should be treated the same as other EU citizens, while 18% thought they should have more limited rights to live, work and access welfare in the UK.

According to The Telegraph, a third of people surveyed over-estimated the percentage of people born outside the UK living in the country, thinking the figure was over 40% rather than the 13% indicated in the 2011 census.

Controversial claims have been made by a number of British tabloids and politicians that the UK should brace for a massive"influx" of Bulgarian and Romanian migrants after the end of 2013. It has been claimed that lifting the restriction would "put pressure" on housing, infrastructure, schools, and heath care.

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