UK immigration figures 'not fit for purpose', say MPs

The report said the figures left assessments of the Government's progress in reducing net migration as "little better than a best guess". Credit: Press Association

Britain's immigration figures have been criticised as "not fit for purpose" in a report by the Public Administration Select Committee.

The group of MPs said the statistics leave assessments of the Government's progress in reducing net migration as "little better than a best guess".

The Business Secretary Vince Cable said pursuing a net immigration figure was "not a Government objective" and "is not helpful".

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper criticised the government's immigration stance and a "ill judged" pilot scheme to display billboards on vans telling illegal immigrants to go home.

ITV News Political Correspondent Romilly Weeks reports.

Read: Migration stats 'a best guess'