Public consider the economy and NHS as top two issues facing the country

• Concern about the economy has risen seven points since February, with 36% mentioning it as an important issue for Britain today.
• Thirty-five per cent name the NHS as an important issue for Britain
• Concern about immigration has risen six points since last month, with a quarter mentioning it as an important issue.

The March 2024 Ipsos Issues Index reveals that the economy and NHS remain the pre-eminent concerns facing the country.

Thirty-six per cent of Britons say the economy is a big issue for the country, up seven points since February. It is also considered the single biggest issue, mentioned by just under a fifth of Britons (18%).

Public concern about the NHS remains significant, with just over a third (35%) mentioning it as an issue. Concern remains at a similar level to that recorded in February.

Inflation remains the third-biggest issue for the country, mentioned by 28%. Concern remains relatively unchanged since last month, seeing a small increase of two percentage points.

The proportion mentioning immigration as an important issue has increased six points since February. Mentioned by a quarter (24%) of Britons, it remains the fourth biggest issue for the county according to the public. Significant differences in concern remain: it is the top issue for Conservative supporters and those aged 55+ (both at 40%). By contrast, just 14% of Labour supporters and 11% of 18-34s mention it as a concern.

Elsewhere in the ranking, housing, poverty and inequality and lack of faith in politics and politicians are the joint fifth biggest issues for Britons, mentioned by 14%. 

Ipsos Director of Politics, Keiran Pedley, said:

Our research shows a consistent ‘big four’ issues that the public think are the most important facing Britain. Some issues matter more to different groups of voters than others. Immigration is a key issue for Conservatives but relatively less important to Labour voters. However, both groups put the economy and NHS towards the top of their list, suggesting they are going to be key issues at the coming election.

Technical note

Ipsos' Issues Index is conducted monthly and provides an overview of the key issues concerning the country. Ipsos interviewed a representative sample of 1,010 adults aged 18+ across Great Britain. The answers are spontaneous responses, and participants are not prompted with any answers. 

Ipsos’ telephone omnibus was used for this survey. Interviews were conducted between 13 and 21 March 2024. Data are weighted to match the profile of the population. All polls are subject to a wide range of potential sources of error.