Immigration dominates headlines and polls alike — but what’s really driving the public debate?

This week on Last Week on Earth, journalist Louisa Magnussen sits down with communications professional Anne Cantelo to unravel one of the most divisive issues in British politics. With decades of experience advising both government and business, Anne explains how successive governments have failed to communicate clearly about immigration, and how that failure has deepened public mistrust.

This podcast explores the real numbers behind the headlines, from record migration peaks to the small but highly publicised issue of illegal crossings, and ask: what’s the truth, and why has it been so hard to tell?

In this thought-provoking conversation, Anne examines the emotional landscape surrounding immigration, from fears about culture and community to the economic facts that often go unheard. She challenges misconceptions about migrants’ impact on the economy, highlights the communication missteps that have fuelled division, and offers pragmatic ideas for rebuilding trust.

With public opinion hardening and Reform’s rise reshaping the political map, this episode offers clarity, context, and insight on one of the UK’s most defining debates.