Immigration Policy Polling 2026
Public opinion on specific immigration policies — from net migration caps to asylum accommodation. Reform UK leads on voter trust at 34%.
Cap on Net Migration (200,000/yr)
61% supportPolling question: “Do you support or oppose setting a legal cap on net migration of 200,000 per year?” Source: YouGov, April 2026 (n=1,851).
Rwanda Deportation Scheme
38% support, 44% opposePolling question: “Do you support or oppose the government’s policy of sending asylum seekers to Rwanda?” Source: Ipsos, March 2026. Note: 58% of Reform UK voters want the scheme resumed.
Among Reform UK voters specifically, 58% want the Rwanda scheme resumed. This compares to only 21% of Labour voters who support it. The scheme was scrapped by Labour in July 2024.
Asylum Seeker Hotel Accommodation
67% want endedPolling question: “The government currently houses asylum seekers in hotels while their claims are processed. Should this practice be ended?” Source: Survation, April 2026.
Points-Based Immigration System
71% support keepingPolling question: “Should the UK keep its points-based immigration system, which prioritises skilled workers?” Source: YouGov, March 2026.
Work Visa Routes
54% think too easy to get work visasPolling question: “Do you think it is currently too easy, about right, or too difficult to obtain a work visa to come to the UK?” Source: Ipsos, April 2026.
Party Trust on Immigration
Reform UK leads at 34%Which party do you trust most to handle immigration policy? Source: composite YouGov/Ipsos, May 2026.
Analysis: Why Reform UK Dominates
The Policy Gap
On virtually every immigration measure, public opinion is closer to Reform UK’s position than to Labour’s. With 61% supporting a net migration cap that Labour refuses to set, and 67% wanting asylum hotel use ended, the government faces a structural polling problem on this issue that will not resolve without policy change.
Labour’s Dilemma
Labour sits in a difficult position: its urban, graduate and younger base tends to hold more liberal immigration views, while its traditional working-class northern seats are among the most hostile to current immigration levels. Tightening policy risks the base; holding firm risks the seats. The Rwanda scheme’s 38% overall support — rising to 58% among Reform voters — shows the electoral prize for whoever occupies that ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do UK voters support a cap on net migration?
Yes. 61% of UK voters support a legal cap on net migration set at 200,000 per year, according to YouGov polling from April 2026. Only 22% oppose such a cap. This broad public support contrasts with Labour’s current policy of not setting a numerical cap. See the Reform UK tracker for how this feeds voter intention.
What does polling show about the Rwanda deportation scheme?
Overall polling on the Rwanda scheme is divided: 38% support it and 44% oppose it. However, among Reform UK voters the picture is sharply different — 58% want the scheme resumed. Labour scrapped the Rwanda policy after winning the July 2024 general election.
Which party do voters trust most on immigration?
Reform UK leads on immigration trust at 34%, ahead of the Conservatives (22%) and Labour (16%). This represents a significant shift since 2019 when the Conservatives led on immigration. Reform UK’s rise to 28% in voting intention is closely linked to its dominant position on this issue.