Britons Concerned About Immigration

A recent Ipsos survey reveals that immigration has emerged as the foremost issue for Britons, marking the first time since the 2016 Brexit referendum that it has topped the list of national concerns. According to the Ipsos Issues Index, 34 percent of respondents identified immigration as the primary challenge facing the country, surpassing healthcare and the NHS at 30 percent, the economy at 29 percent, and inflation at 20 percent. The survey highlights a significant shift in public sentiment, particularly among supporters of the Reform UK party and Conservative voters. The survey, conducted with over 1,000 adults from August 7 to 13, coincides with heightened public anxiety over illegal migration, particularly in the English Channel, where approximately 5,000 migrants have crossed since Prime Minister Keir Starmer took office. Additionally, the UK is grappling with record levels of legal immigration, with net migration reaching 764,000 in 2022 and 685,000 in the following year. This surge in immigration concerns has been exacerbated by recent anti-mass migration protests and riots, triggered by a violent incident involving a second-generation Rwandan teenager. Crime has also surged as a pressing issue, with public concern rising from 6 percent to 25 percent in just one month, the highest level since August. Furthermore, worries about race relations have increased, with 11 percent of respondents citing it as a top issue, the highest since the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020. Ipsos analyst Mike Clemence noted that the recent riots have significantly influenced public opinion, reshaping priorities across different demographics and political affiliations.