Local news providers are the second most trusted source of information about immigration, new research has revealed.

The industry came second only to “academics and experts” in terms of trustworthiness on the subject, according to a report entitles the ‘National Conversation on Immigration’ published by think tank British Future and anti-racism group Hope Not Hate.

While a survey of 3,667 UK adults found that just 34pc of respondents believed local news told the truth about immigration all or most of the time, this compared favourably with other sources including national newspapers and television.

A total of 47pc of respondents to the survey, conducted for the report by polling company ICM, said they believed academics and experts told the truth all or most of the time, while the figures for national newspapers was 20pc.

Television polled at 26pc, while local councils and the government polled at 23pc and 17pc respectively.

Respondents felt social media was the least trustworthy information source, with just 10pc saying they believed it told the truth all or most of the time.

In their conclusion, report’s authors Jill Rutter and Rosie Carter said: “Britain’s media debate on immigration is polarised and divisive, particularly on social media. It is dominated by those with the strongest-held opinions and the loudest voices. Nuance and moderation has been crowded out of the public debate. The voices and opinions of the ‘balancers’, who make up most of the public, do not get heard. It is time that they were.

“The National Conversation on Immigration demonstrates that, through such public engagement, it is possible to build consensus, even on issues which appear to be difficult and divisive. But doing so will require action, support and strong leadership, at a local and national level.

“We hope, therefore, that the government will take forward our key recommendation of sustained and ongoing public engagement on this issue in the form of an official National Conversation on Immigration – one which ensures that all voices are heard.

“We strongly believe that such a commitment would play a significant role in rebuilding public trust and confidence in our immigration system.”