THE first meeting of a new National Conversation on immigration takes place in Bradford tomorrow.

It is one of 60 citizen panels which will take place across the UK giving people all over the country a chance to have their say on immigration policy following the Brexit decision.

The findings will then feed into an immigration inquiry being run by the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee.

Bradford West MP Naz Shah, who is a member of the Home Affairs Committee, said: “I welcome that the first citizen panel as part of the wider National Conversation on Immigration will take place in Bradford. This is an opportunity to see what people really want, and help shape the future of our immigration system.

“We need to reach out and understand what the public really wants, and try to build a consensus.”

The National Conversation is being coordinated by independent thinktank British Future and campaigners HOPE Not Hate and will take place in a different locations each week, in every region and nation of the UK

It has been made possible through funds raised by the public in memory of former Batley and Spen MP Jo Cox MP after her murder last year.

As well as the citizens panel, to which a cross section of the local population have been invited, the organisers are meeting local organisations, councillors and business leaders in Bradford to hear their views on immigration.

An online survey offers everyone a chance to have their say, which is available from tomorrow at nationalconversation.org.uk.

Jill Rutter, director of strategy at British Future, said there will be major changes to immigration policy following the referendum decision.

“People have different points of view on immigration and that can be divisive. The National Conversation hopes to bring people together to talk about their differences and find common ground,” she said.

“It’s up to all of us as citizens, whatever our views on immigration, to take part in this conversation if we want to have a say.

“Our findings will form part of a major Home Affairs Committee inquiry into immigration, led by influential MPs. It will publish its findings and recommendations in a report that the Government has to then respond to. So this is a real chance to have your voice heard by people in power.”

Rosie Carter, research officer at HOPE Not Hate said: “The way we talk about immigration has become increasingly polarised, and some of what has been said in the public sphere has created a toxic environment. We need to open up a neutral conversation with the public so that our political debate does not continue to be guided by those that simply shout loudest.”

Mike Cartwright of West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce added: “We think that it’s important that the business voice is heard in this conversation about future immigration policy; that’s why we’re taking part in this meeting.

"Having a large pool for businesses to access wide labour market obviously benefits them more, but we appreciate that an open policy puts more pressure on public services. I’m sure that this inquiry will face some tough decisions but we’re keen to feed in our views to the Home Affairs Committee.”

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