'Absolute nonsense!' New study sparks fury on GB News after data suggests anti-immigration views linked to education level

WATCH NOW: Activist Ayton Imarn and Suzanne Evans clash on a study into how someone's education affects their view of immigration

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GB NEWS

Susanna Siddell

By Susanna Siddell


Published: 20/01/2026

- 10:06

The study conducted by the National Centre for Social Research fuelled simmering tensions on GBN Breakfast

Watch the moment a new study sparked fury on GB News after data indicated non-graduates were more likely to hold anti-immigration views.

The investigation published today by the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) showed education was the most significant driver of attitudes in British politics today.


The study revealed people in the UK holding qualifications below A-level had double the chances of backing the Tories or Reform UK compared to those with higher degrees.

Meanwhile, some 55 per cent of people in the UK without A-levels believe immigrants living in the country without permission should not be allowed to stay, compared to 36 per cent of graduates.

The findings ignited a heated quarrel between a pair of GB News guests, activist Ayton Imarn and commentator Suzanne Evans, who went head-to-head on the matter.

"Personally, I do see the correlation," Ms Imarn said in defence of the findings, "I think there is a pattern.

"I think that when people are less educated, it means that they're more likely to have less opportunities and therefore less earning potential.

"And if you have less earning potential, you're more likely to be financially insecure. And if you're financially insecure, you're more likely to just be insecure in general, which is centred around fear, threat, and being conscious of the competition.

"Who is regarded as the competition? Immigrants and those who are black and brown.

"So I think the golden thread that runs throughout this particular dynamic ultimately comes down to insecurity, fear, threat, and scarcity."

Activist Ayton Imarn and Suzanne Evans clash

The study conducted by the National Centre for Social Research fuelled simmering tensions on GBN Breakfast

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GB NEWS

Meanwhile, Ms Evans branded the study "absolute nonsense", adding: "I'm just thinking about one of my closest friends who's got nine degrees.

"He had a big job in the city. He's certainly not any of the things that we've just heard described."

"I think frankly, to worry about the state of affairs at the moment doesn't show that you're uneducated. It shows that you've got a huge amount of common sense."

Ms Evans cited GB News' exclusive investigation, which found Sir Keir Starmer's small boats record was officially worse than any of his predecessors.

Keir Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer's record is officially worse than his predecessors on small boats

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GETTY

The People's Channel can disclose more than 65,870 small boat migrants have made the perilous 21-mile crossing in Sir Keir’s first 19 months in power, reaching the number that crossed under Boris Johnson within half the amount of time.

Ms Evans fumed: "Men coming from cultures that don't respect women, for example, it is a considerable worry.

"You don't have to be educated or uneducated to know that's a threat to the British way of life."

Meanwhile, Ms Imarn doubled down on her argument the anti-immigration sentiment boiled down to insecurity.

The activist added: "Irrespective of education, irrespective of being less educated, the common denominator always is insecurity.

"The only reason why someone cares about immigration is because there is a level of insecurity. We have scarcity in this country."

She went on to blame the Conservatives' 14-year-long lease in Whitehall, more than 20 of whom have shifted allegiances to Reform UK since their historic defeat in the polls in July 2024.

Ms Imarn went on to argue it went far beyond levels of intelligence, indicating concern over immigration stemmed from having fewer opportunities in life.

She said: "If you have fewer opportunities, it means you're going to be financially insecure, which means you're more likely to be dependent on the Government and the Government's decisions, and therefore you're going to be consciously or acutely aware of who else you are competing with."

But Ms Evans remained unconvinced, declaring the accusation boiled down to "intellectual snobbery".

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