The prime minister will today host an immigration summit in an attempt to head off a public backlash over the eastern European visa scam.

Tony Blair is set to call in senior ministers, police chiefs and immigration officials in a bid to address weeks of bad headlines over immigration abuse.

A Number 10 spokesman yesterday admitted there was "particular sensitivity surrounding this issue".

It is thought the summit will focus on ways of tackling scams and loopholes, rather than policy issues.

The Telegraph says that the prime minister is coming under pressure from his backbenchers to strip David Blunkett of responsibility for immigration and asylum policy.

Meanwhile, according to a Populus poll for today's Times, three quarters of the public want new restrictions on the numbers entering Britain.

The poll also shows support for Labour has slipped by two points since early March to 34 per cent. The Tories are also on 34 points while the Liberal Democrats are on 22 per cent.