Lib Dems in immigrant amnesty plans

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Home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg said anyone who tried to set a limit on inflow to Britain was "deluded" - blaming Government incompetence for intense public concern on the issue.

Mr Clegg was speaking as the Lib Dems sought to shift the focus on to policy after the first half of their conference was blighted by sniping at Sir Menzies Campbell's leadership.

Delegates also backed controversial tax proposals designed to "hammer" the richest 10% and punish those whose lifestyles damage the environment.

Official figures indicate that more than 560,000 people have been arriving in the UK with the intention of staying more than a year - many from countries which have recently joined the EU, such as Poland.

They are offset by around 380,000 departing these shores. However, an estimated 600,000 are also living here illegally.

Asked during a briefing for journalists whether there was too much immigration into Britain, Mr Clegg replied: "In our view it's not too high.

"In our view the whole debate on immigration is placed on the wrong footing if you try to delude yourself or the public into thinking there is a kind of ideal number.

"Our view is that if you have an immigration system where you have large numbers of people coming in to this country, the system is not competent, and you don't plan for the consequences, and you don't work to integrate people, then of course the numbers can seem too high.

"You have to make immigration work for you."