Though unemployment appears to be breaking away from the chasing pack as an issue of public concern, it still has some way to go before it reaches the same level as the economy, mentioned by around two thirds (64%) of the public, also an increase (of three percentage points) since January.
The first Economist/Ipsos Issues index of 2012 shows that concern about the EU/Euro has increased and it has returned to the list of the top 10 issues facing Britain
Findings from this survey of adults in Great Britain, conducted by Ipsos on behalf of new think-tank British Future, offer insights into the public's hopes and fears for 2012 and their attitudes to issues of identity, integration and migration.
The December Economist/Ipsos Issues index shows that a third of the public (33%) place unemployment amongst the most important issues facing the country, a one percentage point increase since November. Concern has been steadily increasing recently and this is now the highest percentage to mention this issue since November 1998.
Concern about unemployment rises to highest level this century, and concern about Europe/EU is now highest in over six years (though mentioned by fewer than one in ten)
The September Economist/Ipsos issues index shows that almost seven in ten (68%) are concerned about the economy, an increase of nine percentage points since September, and the highest level since the coalition came to power in May last year
Findings from this survey of adults in Great Britain, conducted by Ipsos on behalf of The Migration Observatory at Oxford University, show public attitudes to immigration are nuanced and complex. While the public are still keen to see an overall reduction in immigration, their attitudes vary depending upon which immigrant groups they are considering.
