By HUGO DUNCAN, BUSINESS EDITOR

Published: 19:04 EDT, 12 April 2026 | Updated: 22:45 EDT, 12 April 2026

Britain faces a population explosion under the Green Party’s immigration free-for-all, a damning report has warned.

Economists estimate the number of people living in the UK would soar by 4.4million in just five years if Zack Polanski wins power in 2029.

The increase is down to the Green’s open borders immigration policy – with around 900,000 arrivals expected a year.

The report suggests the population would rise by just 200,000 under a Reform UK government – with net migration estimated at 40,000 a year.

An increase of 800,000 has been forecast under the Tories – or 160,000 a year – and between 1million and 1.3million if Labour clings on for another term.

The range in Labour’s prediction takes into account the Home Secretary’s plans to extend the qualification period for permanent residence in the UK from five years to ten years. 

If Shabana Mahmood is successful in having the measures applied to those already in the UK, the population would rise by one million in the next parliament.

The Green Party, expected to make strong gains in next month’s local elections, has said: ‘In an ideal world, most border controls would not exist.’

Economists estimate the number of people living in the UK would soar by 4.4million in just five years if Zack Polanski (pictured) wins power in 2029

An increase of 800,000 has been forecast under the Tories – or 160,000 a year – and between 1million and 1.3million if Labour clings on for another term

Mr Polanski plans to ‘abolish’ immigration detention and grant amnesty to illegal migrants allowing them to stay in Britain – giving them access to free housing and the NHS.

Stating that ‘migration is not a criminal offence under any circumstances’, internal policy documents outline ambitions to ‘establish a system that recognises that all migrants are treated as citizens in waiting and therefore supports and encourages them to put down roots in their new home’.

Opponents of Mr Polanski have branded the plans ‘financially reckless but also dangerous.’

A study by City investment bank Panmure Liberum estimated the population would jump from 71.5million in 2029 to 75.9million in 2034 under the Greens. 

The report found the population would rise to just 71.7million under Reform UK and to 72.3million under the Tories. The UK population is currently 69.5million.

Simon French, Panmure Liberum’s chief economist and a former Civil Service economic adviser, said: ‘The spread of policies from the four leading UK parties could lead to a difference of more than four million in the UK population by the end of the next parliamentary cycle. 

‘That extraordinary spread is because the policies of the Green Party and Reform UK are as diametrically opposite as anything I have seen in 25 years of analysing UK migration policy.’

The Office for National Statistics projects a 1.6million population rise by the next parliament, based on ‘natural change’ averaging a drop of 10,000 a year – as deaths marginally outweigh births – and net migration of 340,000.

Mr French said the population excluding immigration is ‘basically stable’, adding: ‘All the movement is net migration.’

Therefore a surge of 4.4million in the population under the Greens suggests net migration of around 900,000 a year versus around 40,000 under Reform UK and 160,000 under the Tories.

A Green Party spokesman said: ‘These figures are made up nonsense and we’ve been given no idea how they are calculated.

‘The Greens support a fair and managed migration system and successive governments have presided over a broken and unfair system. 

‘The Greens are positive about the economic and societal benefits of immigration.

‘People are concerned about the impacts of immigration because of a massive affordability crisis, but unlike other parties we won’t scapegoat migrants for the unfairness created by our rigged economic system.’

Reform and the Tories were approached for comment.

Nigel Farage has said he is ‘not worried’ after police announced it was reviewing a complaint over his party’s prize draw.

Under a competition launched by Reform UK, one lucky winner as well as their entire street had their energy bills covered by the party.

On Thursday, Mr Farage shared a video of himself and his treasury spokesperson Robert Jenrick turning up at the home of ‘June from Wigan’, presenting her with a bouquet of flowers and a giant cheque for £1,758.

Voters could enter the draw by filling out a questionnaire on their voting habits, including which party they had voted for at the last election and who they intended to support now.

However campaign groups have expressed concerns that the giveaway may breach Electoral Commission guidance as acts that ‘incentivise voter behaviour’ can amount to ‘treating’ or ‘bribery’ which are considered a form of corruption.

Unveiling the ‘Nigel Cut My Bills’ promotion, Mr Jenrick promised voters if they ‘give us your details’, Mr Farage would appear at their home and foot their energy bills for a year.

However it emerged that June and her husband Ray Dibble were both no strangers to Reform and Mr Farage.

The couple had appeared at a campaign event for the party’s predecessor, the Brexit Party in 2019 and were described as ‘staunch members’ by Reform’s Wigan branch.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed on Saturday that it was now reviewing a complaint about the draw.

It is as of yet unclear what offence is being looked into but the matter has not yet progressed to a full investigation.

Asked by reporters whether the giveaway could have broken election rules, Mr Farage insisted he wasn’t worried.

Reform said that the competition had been approved by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

But the Open Rights Group said the promotion risked turning democracy into a ‘data harvesting exercise’, adding that the party was not telling entrants what their responses would be used for.

Its legal and policy officer, Mariano delli Santi, said: ‘Reform are asking the public to hand over sensitive data about their voting habits without being transparent about how it will be used.

‘This is a clear breach of transparency obligations under UK data protection law. Nothing in their privacy policy suggests they are not acting unlawfully in many other way.

‘Aside from the potential breach of data protection law, offering financial incentives in exchange for people’s political views risks turning democratic participation into a data-harvesting exercise.’

In a statement, the ICO said that it had spoken to Reform about the competition and ‘improving transparency’ in the way they handle personal information.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

MORE: Farage’s friendship with Trump comes under scrutiny: Readers discuss

MORE: Nigel Farage needs a tank to get through ‘broken, lawless’ London

MORE: Reform UK sacks housing chief Simon Dudley over ‘deeply offensive’ Grenfell comments

By CLAIRE ELLICOTT

Published: 18:44 EDT, 7 April 2026 | Updated: 21:22 EDT, 7 April 2026

Reform UK has vowed to resume drilling in the North Sea for oil and gas to help the UK produce its own energy if it wins the next election.

Nigel Farage’s party pledged to use Britain’s ‘energy treasure’ to create jobs, boost growth and cut bills by ending the ban on further exploration.

Analysts have predicted that energy bills could rise by nearly £300 a year from July when the energy price cap increases.

It comes as ministers clash over whether Labour should restart oil and gas extraction or stick with Ed Miliband’s Net Zero goals. 

The Energy Secretary – who is pro-renewables and against any further exploration – is at odds with Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who thinks drilling is good for growth.

He is said to be considering approving the Jackdaw gas field off Scotland but remains opposed to the Rosebank oil field, which is thought to contain up to 300million barrels. 

Nigel Farage’s party pledged to use Britain’s ‘energy treasure’ to create jobs, boost growth and cut bills by ending the ban on further exploration

Reform said on Tuesday it would approve both fields, saying the need to exploit homegrown oil and gas reserves had never been more urgent.

Energy spokesman Richard Tice said: ‘Opening up the North Sea to more licences and production is our vital, patriotic duty. 

‘Energy security and independence is essential and can only be secured by using our own oil and gas. 

‘We must scrap Net Zero and all the damaging expensive carbon taxes. The Tories and Labour have deliberately made us poorer with their Net Zero obsession.’

The party said it aimed to increase UK oil and gas production by at least half.

By DAILY MAIL COMMENT

Published: 19:06 EDT, 4 April 2026 | Updated: 20:53 EDT, 4 April 2026

Lord Ashcroft’s new poll, which The Mail on Sunday publishes exclusively today, reveals an extraordinary, unprecedented state of affairs in British politics.

Three parties – the Tories, Reform UK and the Greens – are level with each other. Each has the support of 21 per cent of the voters. 

Meanwhile the Labour Party, which currently holds a huge Parliamentary majority and forms the Government, can only count on the backing of 17 per cent.

Conservative forces in this country are going to need to think hard about how they respond to this news. Arithmetic of this sort could even put the Greens into office in some terrifying coalition.

This kind of thing may have been common for years in states with Proportional Representation (PR). 

In such countries they either have perpetual weak government, shared out among an unchanging cast of professional politicians, or they have stifling grand coalitions in which healthy opposition is eliminated.

Until recently, our First- Past-The-Post system preserved us from such things. It used to grant us blessings that PR cannot give – a clear two-way choice between distinct parties, strong, decisive government between elections and the ability to get rid of leaders we don’t like. But, especially since the Blair era, and even more so since the Brexit referendum, the major parties no longer mirror the divisions in opinion in this country.

It is time they did, but thoughtfully, not by pandering to extremes or chasing the nearest crowd.

In a three-way deadlock, the Tories, Reform UK and the Greens are currently neck and neck, with each party commanding 21% of the electorate in the polls

The Daily Mail urges the Tory Party and Nigel Farage’s Reform UK to explore constructive co-operation

This is why we urge the Tory Party and Reform UK to explore constructive co-operation while there is still time.

It is heartening to see how many people support lifting the foolish ban on drilling for North Sea oil. Green zealotry has for far too long prevented this sensible step. But the Iran war has underlined just how over-dependent this country

is on imported fuel, and how unwise it is for us to refuse to take advantage of a great blessing on our own doorstep.

Drilling for North Sea oil is a win-win

If we lift the ban, our supplies of energy will become more secure and our tax revenues will increase. It will create jobs. So the Treasury, employment, national security and economic growth would all benefit. It also makes sense in a world where this country will still require oil and gas for many years to come.

This is especially so now we see how quickly chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz can be closed without notice.

But we would also be taking a step back towards reason. It is only dogma, enforced by the ultra-green Ed Miliband, that has kept us from making this sensible decision.

The same ideology has also resulted in a number of other energy mistakes we need to put right. Over-dependence on renewables has been very costly. A rethink on all these issues is long overdue.

Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage both know it. If they want sensible conservatism back in power, they should take advantage of this encouraging swing in public opinion. For once, doing the right thing will be popular.

Ipswich Town chairman, Mark Ashton, has issued an apology to supporters after Nigel Farage’s visit to Portman Road this week.

Farage visited the Championship club on Monday and images of the Reform UK leader holding up an Ipswich No.10 shirt with his name on the back was used by the political party on social media.

A Reform party campaign video starring Farage was also filmed at Ipswich’s stadium.

Farage’s visit sparked an angry response from some Ipswich supporters, while the club claimed that it was apolitical and did not ‘support or endorse any individual party’.

In a statement on Friday night, Aston said he was ‘immensely upset’ for ‘hurting’ Ipswich’s fanbase and admitted ‘mistakes have been made’.

Ashton said: ‘I’m fully aware that this has been a very difficult week for all of us.

‘The staff are hurting. Elements of the fanbase are hurting. So are elements of our local community. That upsets me immensely. Unreservedly, I want to apologise and say I’m sorry.

‘I understand that supporters and element of the community are angry. I also understand that there are a number of mistruths out there about what’s actually happened this week. And I also understand that we have lessons to learn. Because mistakes have been made which have caused harm and distress to parts of our local community.

‘And as the chairman of the club I take full responsibility for those mistakes. And full responsibility for making sure that those lessons are learned and learned quickly.

‘The full board of directors are now reviewing the policy regards how we engage with local politicians and political parties. We’ll decide how, if and when we do that moving forward. Because, again, lessons have to be learned.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

MORE: Spain manager claims ‘world class’ Arsenal star is being overlooked in World Cup debate

MORE: Noni Madueke injury latest as Arsenal winger wears knee brace after England friendly

MORE: Thomas Tuchel responds to England fans booing Arsenal defender Ben White

Do you agree with our readers? Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments

Is Rayner ‘out of touch’?

Labour’s former deputy leader Angela Rayner is warning that the government’s proposed immigration reforms are ‘un-British’ (Metro, Thu).

Considering that an ever-increasing majority of British people consistently want all immigration to Britain controlled and reduced, and all illegal Channel crossings permanently stopped, Rayner’s intervention reveals she is yet another tin-eared and completely out-of-touch politician. Stefan Badham, Portsmouth

Is Trump ‘modeling himself’ on Putin?

Raj (MetroTalk, Thu) praises Donald Trump and the US for its war on Iran by being ‘bold enough to stand up against evil regimes’.

It is quite clear that the US president admires his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and, since taking office for a second time, has decided to model himself on him.

Trump has surrounded himself with sycophants who agree with everything he says, his supporters are gradually taking over the Press so that soon he will have total control over what the US public
sees and hears, and he acts like a schoolyard bully, threatening anyone who disagrees with him.

Trump is doing everything within his power to stop free speech in the US and
I suspect he will now do everything within his power to hold on to the presidency. Sound familiar?

It is very unfortunate for us all that Trump ‘is taking a global view’ as Raj describes it – as now the whole world is subject to his megalomania.

Unlike Putin, Trump is not smart. His acts are impulsive and not thought out – as demonstrated in Iran at the moment. He
is not in control but does not have the intelligence to recognise this. Israel’s leader Benjamin Netanyahu and, behind the scenes, Putin, are now deciding how this war will progress. What has happened in Gaza is now being repeated again in Iran and Lebanon.

All Trump has achieved is helping Netanyahu achieve his ‘40-year dream’ of annihilating his enemies, while the closing of the Strait of Hormuz has enabled Putin to continue to fund the war in Ukraine. Putin must be overjoyed by Trump’s stupidity.

A common trait of a bully is to target those who are perceived to be a threat and Trump has certainly been targeting Sir Keir Starmer of late.

While I have no time for Starmer and his government, I am glad that he has had the courage (finally) to stand up to Trump.

Let us hope that he continues to do so and we are not drawn further into this dreadful conflict. JD, London

Trump’s followers need to ‘realise they are following a sick man’

Think Donald Trump cannot sink any lower? Wrong! During a press conference with Speaker Mike Johnson he announced, with a smile, that a congressman would be dying in a few months.

This was private information about a very ill man, Neal Dunn, something
the US president had been told in the strictest confidence.

You could hear the shock and disgust go around the room. When will his followers realise they are following a sick man? Mick, West Midlands

Should bank notes actually have comedians on them?

Well done to Myra (MetroTalk, Thu) for connecting the introduction of animals on bank notes in place of historical figures with a comment on climate change.

Even I would have struggled with that one. But, wouldn’t it be great to have comedy characters on the notes?

Imagine looking at the likes of Inspector Clouseau, Mr Bean and Basil Fawlty as you parted ways with your cash? A great big smile on your face as you become less well off. A feat in itself, is it not? Dec, Essex

‘Postmasters are still scandalously awaiting compensation’, says reader

Chancellor Rachel Reeves plans to spend £2.5billion on developing the UK’s computing industries (Metro, Thu).

I’m sure on paper it could be the super-boost our economy needs but how many postmasters are still scandalously awaiting compensation from a previous ‘wonderful’ computer development that saw them wrongly accused and in some cases convicted of fraud?

What is still owed to them should be paid in full before Reeves commits new money to her venture. Terry Cole, Putney

Do you agree with our readers? Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments

MORE: The k‑beauty product from haruharu Wonder that’s going viral for glowing skin

MORE: Welsh Reform UK candidate ‘pictured doing Nazi salute’

MORE: The best body SPFs for summer holidays that won’t leave you chalky, sticky or oily

John Terry appears to have endorsed a policy to ban the burqa in public spaces in Britain.

The former England and Chelsea captain popped up in the comments of an Instagram post declaring the stance had been adopted by right-wing party Restore Britain.

Party leader Rupert Lowe shared a post pledging to ban the garment worn by some observant Muslim women.

Lowe, a former chairman of Southampton FC, also said he would outlaw signs in foreign languages at stations.

His post featured a woman wearing a burqa outside Whitechapel Station with its sign in Bengali, a nod to the area’s Bangladeshi community.

Mr Terry appeared to support the views, replying with a post containing three clapping emojis, the Daily Mail reported.

The Restore leader later leapt to the defence of the former England captain, writing: ‘I see that England/Chelsea legend John Terry is taking some flak for applauding Restore Britain’s policy of banning the burqa and ensuring that all London stations use English, and English only.

‘This is the position the vast majority of the British people support.

‘There is now a political party that will say exactly what people think and fight to make it happen. Restore Britain.’

Mr Lowe, 68, was elected as MP for Great Yarmouth for Reform UK but was later suspended from the party following allegations of bullying.

He denied the claims and insisted the investigation was a ‘witchhunt’ instigated by Nigel Farage. Last month, he lost a bit to prevent the parliamentary watchdog from investigating the complaint.

Mr Terry has occasionally divulged his political leanings, including when he held a St George’s Flag in his left hand while skiing in the French Alps.

Calls by politicians to ban the burqa have proven extremely controversial in the past.

The move has been adopted in France, which practices a policy of national secularity.

The issue previously came to the helm when Reform MP Sarah Pochin used a PMQ to ask Sir Keir Starmer if he would back the policy.

Her words were rebuffed by Reform leader Nigel Farage, who insisted the comments were ‘wrong and ugly’.

Reform’s then chairman, Zia Yusuf, who is Muslim, resigned from his post days later before returning to another role in the party days later.

Mr Yusuf denied his resignation was connected to Ms Pochin’s comments, instead attributing his decision to quit to his own fatigue.

Metro has approached John Terry’s representatives for comment.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

MORE: ‘We’re showing that Islam can be an inclusive religion – here’s how’

MORE: Nigel Farage stops doing Cameos after being duped one too many times

MORE: I tricked Nigel Farage on Cameo – it seems he’ll say anything