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A clear majority of Britons are unhappy with the way the Government is handling immigration and asylum, an exclusive poll reveals today.

More than six out of 10 are dissatisfied — some three times as many as say they are satisfied, researchers from Ipsos MORI discovered.

The finding will alarm allies of David Cameron because it means his vow to cut the number of migrants to the “tens of thousands” has failed to convince most people that the Government is dealing correctly with the issue.

Half of Conservative supporters, two thirds of Labour backers and 55 per cent of Lib-Dems say they are dissatisfied. Just over a third of people say they are “very dissatisfied”.

The research shows how the issue is helping Ukip leader Nigel Farage put pressure on Mr Cameron and Labour leader Ed Miliband. Nearly nine in 10 Ukip supporters are dissatisfied with the Government’s handling of immigration.

Asked which leader was most trusted to deal with the issue, 23 per cent chose Mr Cameron, 20 per cent chose Mr Farage and 19 per cent picked Mr Miliband. Some 66 per cent of women were dissatisfied, compared with 59 per cent of men.

It is higher among over-65s, at 72 per cent, and falls to 52 per cent among young people aged 18-34. However, the public mood has improved since Labour left office. In 2007/8, some 72 per cent said they were dissatisfied.

Bobby Duffy, managing director of the Social Research Institute, at Ipsos MORI, said that although the latest findings were very “far from a ringing endorsement” of the Government they were still “a significant improvement” and the highest satisfaction figures recorded on immigration since the pollsters started tracking views on the issue in the early 2000s.

A major debate on whether London needs more or less immigration is being hosted by the Evening Standard and the City of London at the Guildhall next month. The panel will include former Cabinet minister Tessa Jowell, MP for Dulwich and West Norwood; Simon Walker, Director General, the Institute of Directors; David Lammy, MP for Tottenham; Nigel Farage; David Goodhart, Director, Demos and author of The British Dream; Melanie McDonagh, Evening Standard columnist.

Ipsos MORI interviewed 1,012 adults across Great Britain by phone from February 1-3. Data are weighted. Details at ipsos-mori.com