Report doesn't say liberal politicians caused hostility to migrants

Are politicians to blame for a rise in hostility to migrants? That was the claim on the front page of the Telegraph today.

"Politicians have contributed to a rise in anti-immigrant sentiment because of a widening "disconnect" between the "liberal political class" and public opinion, the UK's most authoritative barometer of public opinion suggests."

The paper was referring to findings in the latest British Social Attitudes survey released today by NatCen, which amongst other things found that 61% thought immigrants from the EU should have to wait three years or more before becoming eligible for benefits.

The report did say there was a disconnect between politicians and the public on the issue of immigration. But it didn't say this disconnect had directly caused the public to become more anti-immigration.

What it said was that the disconnect had combined with - not caused - anxiety about immigration to produce greater support for Ukip:

"This combination of persistent public anxiety, the disconnect in attitudes between political elites and voters, and constraints on policymakers' ability to respond have helped to fuel the rise in support for Ukip."