Britons pessimistic about government performance in short and long term, survey reveals

Ipsos, alongside the Institute for Government (IfG), conducted a comprehensive survey of 1,058 British adults on the government's performance and public priorities for 2026. The findings underscore a prevailing discontent with the current political landscape at the start of the New Year, as well as significant scepticism about the government’s ability to deliver in either the short or long term. 

Key findings

• Government performance: Half (49%) of Britons rate the Labour government’s performance in 2025 as poor, at three out of ten or below. Those aged 55-75 (63%) and Reform UK voters (84%) are among the most likely to say that Labour has done a bad job. Fewer than one in five Britons (18%), and only a third of 2024 Labour Party voters (34%), say government performance over 2025 was good, rating them seven out of ten or higher.
• Public disappointment: More than six in ten (63%) Britons express disappointment with the Labour Party's actions since the 2024 election, a figure that has risen from 56% in February 2025. Discontent is particularly pronounced among Conservative and Reform UK supporters, standing at 86% and 89% respectively, but even half of Labour voters (47%) say they are disappointed.
• Future government expectations: Looking ahead to 2026, almost half (46%) continue to expect poor government performance in the year ahead. Once again Reform UK (83%) and Conservative (72%) voters are most pessimistic, while Labour supporters are more split (25% expect a bad job, 34% expect a good job).
• Priorities for 2026: When asked about their top concern for 2026, the cost of living/inflation is the primary concern for 29% of Britons, followed by immigration (21%) and the economy (13%).  When thinking about other big priorities beyond the top priority, healthcare is most mentioned (48%).
• Long-term priorities: Over a ten-year horizon, immigration is seen as the top priority issue for the UK government, although its score of 17% is only slightly ahead of the economy (15%) and the cost of living/inflation (14%).  Healthcare is again mentioned as one of the other big priorities.
• Low confidence in government action: There is low confidence that the government will effectively tackle these priorities in the short or long term, with only 23% expressing optimism that current or future governments will be able to make good progress in addressing their top priority within the next ten years.
• Preference for long-term policy: While 43% favour long-term policy decisions, even if that makes people’s lives harder today, a substantial segment (27%) prioritise immediate benefits. Younger Britons (52% of those aged 18-34) are more likely to prioritise long-term decisions than those aged 35-54 (37%) or 55-75 (40%). 

Gideon Skinner, Senior Director of UK politics at Ipsos said: 

Our latest survey underscores how negative many Britons are about the Labour government's performance – including many of those who voted for them in the 2024 election. While discontent is echoed particularly strongly among older demographics and supporters of the Conservatives and Reform UK, Labour will be worried that despite the start of a new year disappointment is actually increasing and is growing among their own 2024 voters the most. 

As the government seeks to reassure the public that they are making progress on pressing issues such as the cost of living, immigration, the economy and the NHS, prevailing scepticism about government's ability to address these priorities now or in the longer-term future poses a real challenge.

Alex Thomas, Executive Director, Institute for Government added:

This fascinating polling shows just how low the public's expectations are for the government in 2026. With just 17% of people expecting the government to do a good job this year, the prime minister and the Labour Party will need to step up their delivery on the most important priorities for the country in 2026.

These results are also a reminder that the public cares even more about making long term progress than on banking short term benefits. People - especially the young - want the government to take the right decisions for the long term, even if that makes people's lives more difficult today. Ministers should take this as a call to redouble their focus on the chronic problems facing the country.

Technical note: 

• Ipsos Omnibus in the UK interviewed a representative sample of 1,058 adults aged 16+ across Great Britain. Polling was conducted online between the 7th - 8th January 2026.
• Data are weighted to match the profile of the population. All polls are subject to a wide range of potential sources of error.