As the UK again comes to terms with a recession, concern about the economy has increased, and three fifths (61%) now place this issue amongst the most important facing the country, an increase of six percentage points since April.
The April Economist/Ipsos Issues index shows that, this month, two fifths of the public (40%) place unemployment among the most important issues facing the country, the highest level of concern in over thirteen years, as the unemployment rate reaches its highest level in seventeen years.
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
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
