The June 2018 Issues Index shows similar levels of public concern about the two main issues facing the country – Brexit and the NHS. Just under half of the public name at least one of these issues (46% and 44% respectively).
The difference between these issues is greater when the public are asked what they see as the single biggest issue, with three in ten of the public naming Brexit (30%), more than double the proportion who say it is the NHS (12%). Brexit has been named as the single biggest issue facing the country every month since the referendum in June 2016.
Concern about crime has fallen slightly since last month, although one in five still see it as a worry (20%). This month it is the joint third-largest issue, alongside immigration (20%), education, housing and poverty/inequality (all 19%).
1. June 2018
IPSOS MORI ISSUES INDEX
Contacts: Gideon.Skinner@ipsos.com
Michael.Clemence@ipsos.com
020 7347 3000
2. 2
Issues Facing Britain – June
Base: 974 British adults 18+, 1 – 12 June 2018
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
46%
44%
20%
20%
19%
19%
19%
17%
14%
12%
Common Market/Brexit/EU/Europe
NHS/Hospitals/Healthcare
Immigration/immigrants
Crime/Law and Order/ASB
Education/schools
Housing
Poverty/Inequality
Economy
Defence/foreign affairs/terrorism
Unemployment
+4
-3
-2
%
Change since May:
Position
Top mentions %
+1
+3
+2
+1 +1
-5
+3
+1
-1
+1-1
-1
+1
+1
-3
+1
+1
3. 3
Issues Facing Britain – June
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
46%
44%
20%
20%
19%
19%
19%
17%
14%
12%
30%
12%
8%
4%
2%
3%
5%
4%
3%
2%
Common Market/Brexit/EU/Europe
NHS/Hospitals/Healthcare
Immigration/immigrants
Crime/Law and Order/ASB
Education/schools
Housing
Poverty/Inequality
Economy
Defence/foreign affairs/terrorism
Unemployment
Top mentions %
MOST/OTHER
IMPORTANT ISSUES
MOST IMPORTANT
ISSUE
Base: 974 British adults 18+, 1 – 12 June 2018
4. 4
Issues Facing Britain:
Long Term Trends
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
May
1997
May
1998
May
1999
May
2000
May
2001
May
2002
May
2003
May
2004
May
2005
May
2006
May
2007
May
2008
May
2009
May
2010
May
2011
May
2012
May
2013
May
2014
May
2015
May
2016
May
2017
May
2018
NHS UNEMPLOYMENT
CRIME/LAW &
ORDER ECONOMY IMMIGRATION EU/BREXIT
5. 5
Issues Facing Britain:
Ten Year Trends
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Jun
2008
Jun
2009
Jun
2010
Jun
2011
Jun
2012
Jun
2013
Jun
2014
Jun
2015
Jun
2016
Jun
2017
Jun
2018
NHS EU/BREXIT IMMIGRATION ECONOMY HOUSING UNEMPLOYMENT
6. 6
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
May-10 Feb-11 Nov-11 Aug-12 May-13 Feb-14 Nov-14 Aug-15 May-16 Feb-17 Nov-17
Issues Facing Britain:
Single Biggest Issue 2010 - 2018
What do you see as the most important issue facing Britain today?
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
NHS EU/BREXIT IMMIGRATION ECONOMY
DEFENCE/
TERRORISM UNEMPLOYMENT
7. 7
Cameron becomes PM GE 2017Vote for Brexit;
May becomes PM
Issues Facing Britain:
NHS / Hospitals / Healthcare
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
May
1997
May
1998
May
1999
May
2000
May
2001
May
2002
May
2003
May
2004
May
2005
May
2006
May
2007
May
2008
May
2009
May
2010
May
2011
May
2012
May
2013
May
2014
May
2015
May
2016
May
2017
May
2018
Report says waiting lists have
doubled under Labour
Lowest score since
December 1985 (12%)
Highest score since April 2002
(61%)
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues IndexBase: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home
8. 8
GE 2017Vote for Brexit;
May becomes PM
Cameron becomes PM
Issues Facing Britain:
Common Market / Europe / EU / Brexit
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
May
1997
May
1998
May
1999
May
2000
May
2001
May
2002
May
2003
May
2004
May
2005
May
2006
May
2007
May
2008
May
2009
May
2010
May
2011
May
2012
May
2013
May
2014
May
2015
May
2016
May
2017
May
2018
Treaty of Accession: ten new
EU Member States
France and Holland reject
ratification of EU constitution
Lowest score
recorded (1%)
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home
52%: Highest recorded score
9. 9
GE 2017Vote for Brexit;
May becomes PM
Cameron becomes PM
Issues Facing Britain:
Immigration / Immigrants
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home
NB Until Sept 2014 the code was race relations/immigration/immigrants
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
May
1997
May
1998
May
1999
May
2000
May
2001
May
2002
May
2003
May
2004
May
2005
May
2006
May
2007
May
2008
May
2009
May
2010
May
2011
May
2012
May
2013
May
2014
May
2015
May
2016
May
2017
May
2018
Border controls relaxed for “A8”
EU Countries (Poland, etc.)
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
EU Border controls
relaxed for Romanians
and Bulgarians
Highest concern
ever recorded (56%)
10. 10
GE 2017Vote for Brexit;
May becomes PM
Cameron becomes PM
Issues Facing Britain:
Economy / Economic situation
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
May
1997
May
1998
May
1999
May
2000
May
2001
May
2002
May
2003
May
2004
May
2005
May
2006
May
2007
May
2008
May
2009
May
2010
May
2011
May
2012
May
2013
May
2014
May
2015
May
2016
May
2017
May
2018
Global recession
and Russian
Financial crisis
Highest score since 1992;
Most important issue for
the first time
Sub-prime mortgage
crisis in the US
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home
Northern Rock
nationalised
Lowest score since
December 2007 (17%)
11. 11
GE 2017Vote for Brexit;
May becomes PM
Cameron becomes PM
Issues Facing Britain:
Unemployment / Factory closure / Lack of industry
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
0
10
20
30
40
50
May
1997
May
1998
May
1999
May
2000
May
2001
May
2002
May
2003
May
2004
May
2005
May
2006
May
2007
May
2008
May
2009
May
2010
May
2011
May
2012
May
2013
May
2014
May
2015
May
2016
May
2017
May
2018
Unemployment falls below 1
million for first time in 25 years
Minimum wage
introduced
Unemployment in
Britain rises to 5.5%
Lowest ever score
(5%)
Youth unemployment
reaches 1 million
Lowest score since
July 2008 (10%)
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
12. 12
GE 2017Vote for Brexit;
May becomes PM
Cameron becomes PM
Issues Facing Britain:
Education / Schools
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
0
10
20
30
40
50
May
1997
May
1998
May
1999
May
2000
May
2001
May
2002
May
2003
May
2004
May
2005
May
2006
May
2007
May
2008
May
2009
May
2010
May
2011
May
2012
May
2013
May
2014
May
2015
May
2016
May
2017
May
2018
Introduction of university tuition fees;
Education most important issue
First City Academies
introduced
Lowest score since
Dec 1985 (9%)
Labour’s second term - pledge to
improve failing secondary schools
Highest score since
September 2006 (27%)
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home
13. 13
GE 2017Vote for Brexit;
May becomes PMCameron becomes PM
Issues Facing Britain:
Crime / Law & Order / Violence / Vandalism / ASB
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
May
1997
May
1998
May
1999
May
2000
May
2001
May
2002
May
2003
May
2004
May
2005
May
2006
May
2007
May
2008
May
2009
May
2010
May
2011
May
2012
May
2013
May
2014
May
2015
May
2016
May
2017
May
2018
May day riots Riots across
England
Lowest score since
March 1991 (8%)
Highest score since
November 2011 (23%)
14. 14
GE 2017Vote for Brexit;
May becomes PM
Cameron becomes PM
Issues Facing Britain:
Defence / Foreign Affairs / International terrorism
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
May
1997
May
1998
May
1999
May
2000
May
2001
May
2002
May
2003
May
2004
May
2005
May
2006
May
2007
May
2008
May
2009
May
2010
May
2011
May
2012
May
2013
May
2014
May
2015
May
2016
May
2017
May
2018
9/11 “7/7” London
Bombing
Invasion of Iraq
UK withdraws
from Iraq
War in
Kosovo
Parliamentary vote
against action in Syria
NATO bombing
in Libya
Rise
of IS
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home
Paris attacks and
Parliamentary vote for
action against IS in Syria
London
Bridge
attack
15. 15
GE 2017Vote for Brexit;
May becomes PM
Cameron becomes PM
Issues Facing Britain:
Poverty/inequality
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
0
5
10
15
20
25
May
1998
May
1999
May
2000
May
2001
May
2002
May
2003
May
2004
May
2005
May
2006
May
2007
May
2008
May
2009
May
2010
May
2011
May
2012
May
2013
May
2014
May
2015
May
2016
May
2017
May
2018
Sept 1999:
Alastair Darling – “one child in
three” living in poverty
December 2016:
highest score
recorded (20%)
January 2005:
Make Poverty History campaign
launched on New Year’s Day
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home
16. 16
GE 2017Vote for Brexit;
May becomes PM
Cameron becomes PM
Issues Facing Britain:
Inflation/Prices
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
May
1997
May
1998
May
1999
May
2000
May
2001
May
2002
May
2003
May
2004
May
2005
May
2006
May
2007
May
2008
May
2009
May
2010
May
2011
May
2012
May
2013
May
2014
May
2015
May
2016
May
2017
May
2018
Lowest score since
Sep 2007 (4%)
Inflation rate hits 16 year
peak
Inflation rises
to 3.4%
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home
17. 17
GE 2017Vote for Brexit;
May becomes PM
Cameron becomes PM
Issues Facing Britain:
Housing
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
May
1997
May
1998
May
1999
May
2000
May
2001
May
2002
May
2003
May
2004
May
2005
May
2006
May
2007
May
2008
May
2009
May
2010
May
2011
May
2012
May
2013
May
2014
May
2015
May
2016
May
2017
May
2018
Highest score since
October 1974 (22%)
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home
18. 18
GE 2017Vote for Brexit;
May becomes PMCameron becomes PM
Issues Facing Britain:
Pensions/Social Security/Benefits
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
May
1997
May
1998
May
1999
May
2000
May
2001
May
2002
May
2003
May
2004
May
2005
May
2006
May
2007
May
2008
May
2009
May
2010
May
2011
May
2012
May
2013
May
2014
May
2015
May
2016
May
2017
May
2018
Equitable Life sells
its non-profit
pension annuities
Labour proposes ‘affluence testing’ to
exclude the well-off from state
benefits
Gordon Brown unveils
pension credits
Pensions commission report – “more
than 12 million working people are
not saving enough for their
retirement”
Lowest ever
score (3%)
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home
19. 19
GE 2017Vote for Brexit;
May becomes PMCameron becomes PM
Issues Facing Britain:
Pollution / Environment
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
0
5
10
15
20
May
1997
May
1998
May
1999
May
2000
May
2001
May
2002
May
2003
May
2004
May
2005
May
2006
May
2007
May
2008
May
2009
May
2010
May
2011
May
2012
May
2013
May
2014
May
2015
May
2016
May
2017
May
2018
Widespread flooding
during wet autumn
Nine killed in gales
across Britain
Winter flooding
and storms
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home
20. 20
GE 2017Vote for Brexit;
May becomes PM
Cameron becomes PM
Issues Facing Britain:
Low pay/minimum wage/fair wages
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
0
5
10
15
20
May
1999
May
2000
May
2001
May
2002
May
2003
May
2004
May
2005
May
2006
May
2007
May
2008
May
2009
May
2010
May
2011
May
2012
May
2013
May
2014
May
2015
May
2016
May
2017
May
2018
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home
Highest recorded
score (15%)
21. 21
Issues Facing Britain:
Party support
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
64%
45%
33%
24%
17%
16%
7%
17%
20%
10%
47%
54%
15%
19%
25%
26%
31%
22%
11%
14%
Common Market/Brexit/EU/Europe
NHS/Hospitals/Healthcare
Immigration/immigrants
Crime/Law and Order/ASB
Education/schools
Housing
Poverty/Inequality
Economy
Defence/foreign affairs/terrorism
Unemployment
Top mentions %
CONSERVATIVE
SUPPORTERS
LABOUR
SUPPORTERS
Base: 974 British adults 18+, 1 – 12 June 2018
22. 22
Issues Facing Britain:
Men and women
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
51%
42%
20%
18%
17%
20%
17%
19%
13%
13%
41%
46%
20%
21%
21%
17%
20%
15%
14%
11%
Common Market/Brexit/EU/Europe
NHS/Hospitals/Healthcare
Immigration/immigrants
Crime/Law and Order/ASB
Education/schools
Housing
Poverty/Inequality
Economy
Defence/foreign affairs/terrorism
Unemployment
Top mentions %
MEN
WOMEN
Base: 974 British adults 18+, 1 – 12 June 2018
23. 23
Issues Facing Britain:
Social grade
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
56%
50%
18%
17%
25%
20%
22%
21%
16%
10%
33%
37%
22%
23%
11%
17%
14%
13%
10%
14%
Common Market/Brexit/EU/Europe
NHS/Hospitals/Healthcare
Immigration/immigrants
Crime/Law and Order/ASB
Education/schools
Housing
Poverty/Inequality
Economy
Defence/foreign affairs/terrorism
Unemployment
Top mentions %
ABC1
C2DE
Base: 974 British adults 18+, 1 – 12 June 2018
24. 24
Issues Facing Britain:
Age group
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
36%
41%
11%
14%
19%
23%
22%
20%
14%
11%
45%
45%
23%
21%
21%
21%
22%
19%
13%
12%
54%
47%
25%
24%
17%
13%
12%
14%
14%
12%
Common Market/Brexit/EU/Europe
NHS/Hospitals/Healthcare
Immigration/immigrants
Crime/Law and Order/ASB
Education/schools
Housing
Poverty/Inequality
Economy
Defence/foreign affairs/terrorism
Unemployment
Top mentions %
18-34
35-54
55+
Base: 974 British adults 18+, 1 – 12 June 2018
25. 25
Issues Facing Britain:
Age and social grade
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
Top three issues by age and social grade
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
66%
53%
26%
EU/Brexit
NHS
Education
54%
48%
27%
EU/Brexit
NHS
Educati…
Education/
Poverty
49%
47%
26%
NHS
EU/Brexit
Poverty
42%
41%
32%
EU/Brexit
NHS
Immigration
38%
31%
25%
NHS
EU/Brexit
Crime
32%
23%
23%
NHS
Housing
EU/Brexit
18-3435-5455+
ABC1 C2DE
Social grade
Agebracket
Base: 974 British adults 18+, 1 – 12 June 2018
26. 26
Issues Facing Britain:
Concern about Brexit/EU by subgroup
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today? EU/Europe/Brexit
Ipsos MORI Issues Index
18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+
Concern about the EU/Brexit by age group:
67%
38%
42%
55%
Concern by
region:
46%
51%
41%
64%
47%
63%
49%
41%
26%
Overall
Concern about the EU/Brexit by key demographic groups:
38%
39% 34%
47% 57% 52%43%
Men Women CON LAB AB C1 C2 DE
Social GradeGender Party support
Base: 974 British adults 18+, 1 – 12 June 2018
27. 27
Issues Facing Britain:
Concern about the NHS by subgroup
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today? NHS
Ipsos MORI Issues Index
18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+
Concern about the NHS by age group:
60%
44%
40%
49%
Concern by
region:
44% 42%
46% 45%
54% 52% 49%
45%
30%
Overall
Concern about the NHS by key demographic groups:
40%
39% 42% 42% 47% 47%48%
Men Women CON LAB AB C1 C2 DE
Social GradeGender Party support
Base: 974 British adults 18+, 1 – 12 June 2018
28. 28
Issues Facing Britain:
Concern about immigration by subgroup
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today? Immigration/immigrants
Ipsos MORI Issues Index
18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+
Concern about immigration by age group:
17%
23%
19%
19%
Concern by
region:
11%
7%
15%
26% 24% 25%
20%
20% 20% 20%
33%
15%
17%
20%
16%
28%
Overall Men Women CON LAB
Social GradeGender Party support
Base: 974 British adults 18+, 1 – 12 June 2018
AB C1 C2 DE
Concern about immigration by key demographic groups:
29. June 2018
IPSOS MORI ISSUES INDEX
For more information contact:
Gideon.Skinner@ipsos.com
Michael.Clemence@ipsos.com