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With just 20 days to go until Britons make a historic decision on the country's EU membership, key individuals from both the Leave and Remain camps engaged in a hard-hitting and – at times – feisty debate at our central London head office on Friday. Ukip leader Nigel Farage, Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg and Labour's Kate Hoey decried the impact of uncontrolled EU immigration on the UK, Britain's loss of control to EU officials and the threat of deeper EU integration as they made the case for Brexit. But, urging voters to Remain in the EU, Labour MPs Chuka Umunna and Siobhain McDonagh teamed up with Innocent Smoothies co-founder Richard Reed to warn of the impact of a Leave vote on the UK's economy and national security.

EXPRESS Richard Reed makes a point at the EU debate

EXPRESS Nigel Farage clashes with Chuka Umunna

The panel launched straight into lively exchanges – chaired by LBC Radio presenter and Sunday Express columnist Nick Ferrari – as Mr Farage said that ex-Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair had "opened the door" to unlimited numbers of EU migrants following the bloc's enlargement into eastern Europe in 2004. The Ukip leader claimed that many young people can't get on the housing ladder because Britain "can't plan or provide for public services". But ex-shadow business secretary Mr Umunna hit back to claim "it's a myth to suggest the problems Britain has is down to immigration". He added: "It's a dumping ground of blame. “The reason we have a housing problem is because our domestic government hasn't built more homes.”

***SEE HOW THE ACTION UNFOLDED BELOW***

Mr Rees-Mogg said outside of the EU the UK would be able to have a "points-based" immigration system for the "talent you need". He also highlighted how Lord Rose, the chairman of the Britain Stronger In Europe campaign, had admitted to a group MPs the wages of Britain's lowest-paid workers will rise after Brexit.

Is this their country or is it Britain? Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg

Mr Reed mounted a strong defence of the EU's freedom of movement rules as he reflected on his business success. He said: “Innocent could not have done what it did without having the free movement of labour. “It allowed us go out there and to sell our products into that market while employing many more people here.” He also urged Brexit campaigners to "stop beating up these people who leave their homes and families to do these jobs which prop up our public services". He added: “We should be saying a little more thank you rather than making it the subject of a divisive campaign. “EU migrants do the tough jobs that this country depends on that a lot of people don’t want to do.”

Express EU debate: Farage and Chuka in pictures Fri, June 3, 2016 UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage and Labour MPs Chuka Umunna and Siobhain McDonagh will clash live today at Express HQ. Play slideshow Adrian Callaghan/Daily Express 1 of 35 Nigel Farage holds up his British passport during the debate