Blitz Bureau
IMMIGRATION tops the list of issues that Britons consider most important following riots this month, according to pollster Ipsos. The last time immigration was the Number 1 issue for Britishers was in 2016, the time of Brexit, according to Reuters.
Thirty-four per cent say immigration is now an important issue for the country, putting it on top of the issues list for the first time in almost eight years. This includes 75 per cent of Reform UK supporters (though note small base size), 62 per cent of Conservative party supporters, 45 per cent of those from social grade C2 and 43 per cent of those aged 65 and over.
The UK has been experiencing rioting and violence by far-right groups after the stabbing deaths of three children. These attacks, initially targeting Muslims, are now also affecting the South Asian community, with Indians caught in the middle.
Crime, race relations
“The impact of the recent riots across the UK is clear in this month’s data…the level of concern about crime and race relations has also surged to recent highs,” Ipsos researcher Mike Clemence said.
The unrest abated after a number of those involved were arrested and offenders swiftly jailed. After immigration comes healthcare, 30 per cent, the economy, 29 per cent, crime on 25 per cent and inflation, 20 per cent, the August edition of the monthly Ipsos Issues Index showed. Net immigration to Britain hit a record high in 2022 of 764,000. Net migration is the difference between people moving to the country and those leaving. It fell slightly to 685,000 the following year, the news agency said.
“The proportion of Britons who see race relations as a big concern has also jumped sharply; 11 per cent say it is an important issue, the highest score since June 2020, following the murder of George Floyd in the United States. Concern is higher among those from ethnic minority backgrounds (26 per cent) and younger people (19 per cent among 18-24 years olds).
The biggest change
“However, the biggest change since July is in the proportion who see crime as an issue. This stands at 25 per cent, up from just six per cent a month ago. This is the highest post-pandemic score for crime; the last time concern was above this level was in August 2019, it said. YouGov poll released recently had also showed immigration topping the list of most important national issues for the first time since 2016. Ipsos conducted its survey with 1,010 adults from August 7-13, while YouGov surveyed 2,163 adults from August 5-6.
