IMMIGRANTS drive down wages and “force some people out of work altogether” the Home Secretary has said.

In her speech to the Conservative Party conference Theresa May sparked outrage among business leaders and charities with her remarks on immigration.

She said: “Britain does not need net migration in the hundreds of thousands every year."

Ms May was criticised by business leaders who said she was putting recovery at risk.

Simon Walker Institute of Directors, director general said the Home secretary was putting internal party politics ahead of the country.

He said: "The myth of the job-stealing immigrant is nonsense. Immigrants do not steal jobs, they help fill vital skill shortages and, in doing so, create demand and more jobs. If they did steal jobs, we wouldn't have the record levels of employment we currently do.”

John Cridland, director general of business group CBI, said: "Skilled migration has been positive for the UK economy, ensuring firms have access to the expertise they need to succeed.”

Ms May also said Britain’s rules on asylum were not working and needed to be changed.

She said Britain would not accept an EU wide asylum policy.

Ms May said people who "spurned the chance to seek protection elsewhere" would not have an automatic right to claim asylum in the UK

Refugee support groups said she was out of touch.

Maurice Wren, Refugee Council Chief executive said: "The Home Secretary's clear intention to close Britain's border to refugees fleeing for their lives is thoroughly chilling, as is her bitter attack on the fundamental principle enshrined in international law that people fleeing persecution should be able to claim asylum in Britain."