More than 70 per cent of Britons want to see a cap on the number of work visas issued after Brexit

Seven out of 10 Britons support a cap on work permits after Brexit, according to a new poll.

The survey, conducted for Migration Watch UK, said 71 per cent backed an upper limit on migrants who are coming here on work visas. 

Only 15 per cent opposed the idea, with the rest ‘don’t knows’.

In Conservative-held marginal seats the figure rose to 76 per cent, according to the survey of more than 1,500 people by Deltapoll.

Migration Watch, which campaigns for tougher immigration controls, said a cap would be essential to help control the UK population, which is projected to hit 70 million by the end of the next decade.

Although the Conservative manifesto sets out plans for an Australian-style points-based immigration system it does not indicate levels will be capped.

Alp Mehmet, chairman of Migration Watch, said: ‘As usual, the sensible British public, in this case more than 30 million of them, are way ahead of the politicians.

‘Without any cap on work permits, the inflow would be essentially uncontrolled, and risks being uncontrollable.’

There were just under 190,000 work visas granted by the Home Office in the 12 months to September this year.

The figure was 11 per cent higher than the previous year, and the highest level since the year ending March 2008.

Migration Watch, which campaigns for tougher immigration controls, said a cap would be essential to help control the UK population, which is projected to hit 70 million by the end of the next decade

Over the last few years Australia has varied the number of people allowed into the country.

Before 2012, the cap was about 170,000 before rising to 190,000 a year until this year.

In March, Australian ministers announced the cap would fall to 160,000 a year until 2022-23.