Economist/Ipsos August 2014 Issues Index
Race/immigration continues to be seen as the most important issue facing Britain as ONS figures released today show a "significant increase" in net migration.
Race/immigration still dominates in the August Economist/Ipsos issues index
The August Economist/Ipsos Issues Index shows that race/immigration continues to be seen as the most important issue facing Britain, marking the third month in a row that it has topped the list of concerns. This comes as ONS figures released today show a “significant increase” in net migration. It is mentioned by two fifths (38%) as among the most important issues facing Britain today, indeed for a fifth (21%) it is the single most important issue facing Britain today.
As with last month, three in ten (32%) mention the economy, the issue that dominated our issues index during 2008-2013, and one that has been steadily declining since then. A quarter (26%) mention unemployment, however this is an issue whose salience varies according to age and social grade – it is mentioned by a third (33%) of those aged 18-54 in social grade C2DE. Indeed, for them, it is the most important issue facing Britain today – ahead of both race/immigration and the economy.
The same proportion overall (25%) mention the NHS, rising to 33% of ABC1 respondents aged 55+. These four issues have remained at the top for nearly two years, since November 2012.
One in seven (14%) mention defence/terrorism/foreign affairs, though the fieldwork was conducted before the recent murder of journalist James Foley in Iraq. The same percentage mention crime/law and order, and education, and 13% mention poverty/inequality, housing, and pensions/benefits.
Technical note
Ipsos's Issues Index is conducted monthly and provides an overview of the key issues concerning the country. Ipsos interviewed a representative quota sample of 995 adults aged 18+ across Great Britain. The questions are spontaneous - i.e. respondents are not prompted with any answers. Ipsos's Capibus vehicle was used for this survey. Interviews were conducted face-to-face in-home between 1st-11th August in 181 sampling points across Great Britain. Data are weighted to match the profile of the population.
More insights about Public Sector
