England is most crowded country in Europe

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It's official. England is the most crowded country in Europe.

According to Office of National Statistics, England now has 395 people per square kilometre -- a count attributed to higher levels of immigration, particularly from Asian and East European countries.

In fact, the figure has overtaken the population density of the Netherlands, which has traditionally been the most densely populated major nation on the continent, 'The Daily Telegraph' reported.

The population density in England is already almost double the level in Germany and quadruple that in France and it is estimated that English population density will rise to 464 people for every square kilometre by 2031.

British politicians said the figures were a milestone in the immigration debate.

Frank Field, the former Labour Minister, and Nicholas Soames, the Conservative MP said: "This is a milestone in the immigration debate as immigration accounts for 70 per cent of our population growth.

"The Government's points-based system places no limit on the number of people who are allowed to settle in the UK.

If ever there was a case for balanced migration, it is now."

They estimate that current immigration into Britain is around 300,000 a year. Although not all will stay permanently, they calculate that a balanced migration policy would result in a British population of around 65-80 million by 2050.