SHIPLEY MP Philip Davies has told the Commons that public services and schools cannot cope with the pressure of mass immigration, leaving people in Shipley concerned.

He said immigration was always one of the two top issues raised in his constituency surveys.

Speaking in a debate on the UK taking back control of its borders he said: “It is putting a huge strain on our public services, whether that be the NHS, school places, we just simply do not have the wherewithal to build the number of houses that would be needed to house that level of immigration and it is perfectly obvious these levels are unsustainable in the long run.”

Mr Davies (Con) said while it was good that English had become a universal language, it meant the UK would always have higher levels of immigration than other EU countries as people looking for work would come to a country where they could speak the language.

He praised Government for toughening up the benefits system for EU nationals.

He added: “While people want a control of immigration in this country they also want some honesty on the debate on immigration. The honest fact is, and the public know this, so I do not know why politicians are so reluctant to admit it, as long as we are a member of the EU. We cannot control immigration.”

The UK Border Control Bill, introduced by Conservative MP Christopher Chope, would ensure that the United Kingdom had absolute control over the right to prevent non-UK citizens from entering the UK, and determine the circumstances in which non-UK citizens may be required to leave the UK.