AFTER reading letters by David Kennedy and Mark Parry I would like to point out some figures from the Office of National Statistics.

Net immigration rose from 153,000 to 176,000 up to September 2012. In 1991 the number of people going to the EU and coming from the EU here was about the same – 70,000.

In 2011 the number going to the EU was 90,000 and the number coming here from the EU was 160,000 – hardly equal Mr Kennedy.

In 2010, 11.9 per cent of people coming into this country were foreign-born. I do not have the most recent figures for 2012 but I do have the fact that 25 per cent of all babies born today in the UK are born to mothers who are born overseas.

Twenty five per cent of the babies for 13 per cent of the population. Rather a worry don't you think?

Adding to this we have gone from being in the middle of the 27 EU countries for birthrates to having the third highest birthrate after Ireland and France.

We are also the most densely populated country in Europe with 395 people per square kilometre. This is expected to be 464 people per square kilometre by 2031.

I do not think we, as a nation, can afford to ignore these statistics. We must have a zero net immigration policy.

Yes, let people in but only the same numbers that go out. That has to be the answer to one of the big three problems.

The second, people living longer, is obviously one that we all have to deal with and pay for.

The third is the birthrate and for anyone with a large family who claim to support themselves.

I say £20 per week family allowance per child from the taxpayer, 15 years' worth of education from the taxpayer, doctors, dentists, opticians, vaccinations, rubbish collection (I could go on) all from the taxpayer. So every family gets benefits and puts pressure on the system.

If we had lots of space and land to grow food and endless resources, this would not be such a problem – but we don't.

We are a small island with lots of people and little else, at the mercy of the rest of the world for most of what we want to consume.

On a finite planet, in a finite country more people means less each. It's basic maths.

– C Davies, Broadwell.