by political editor Paul Francis

Ashford MP and immigration minister Damian Green says the PM is right to say mass immigration has undermined some communities - but insists Kent has not suffered as badly as other areas.

David Cameron will say in a speech today mass immigration has led to discomfort and disjointedness in some communities because of problems with integration.

Mr Green said the PM was right to raise the subject despite Vince Cable describing it as "unwise".

"It is very important that mainstream politicians talk about immigration and the problems we have had.

"If we do not, we leave the field open to unpleasant and extremist politicians who want to exploit the issue."

Asked if he felt Kent had been adversely affected by immigration, he said: "To a small degree. It is clearly much more serious in big northern cities and London.

"You could not say that Kent has particularly suffered from it but clearly any communities which are required to cope with large scale changes very quickly do suffer stresses and strains."

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He added: "One of the reasons for bringing immigration under control is avoiding those stresses and strains so people coming to the country can be more comfortably absorbed into society."

He denied the speech was electioneering around a sensitive issue close to the local council polls on May 5.

"It is an issue people really worry about. The complaint more often is why politicians do not talk about it so it is good to be having a debate."

He shrugged off criticism from UKIP party leader and Kent MEP Nigel Farage, who said the government’s room for action was limited because of the free movement of people permitted by the EU.

"The latest figures show net immigration of 225,000 people and of that only 27,000 were from the EU - the real problem is with the rest of the world."