Concern over immigration has surged to become the public’s most pressing issue, according to polling.
Nearly half the public view immigration as one of the biggest problems in the country – the highest proportion since just before the historic Brexit vote – a survey by Ipsos found.
It was mentioned by 49 per cent of people asked to list the ‘most pressing issues facing Britain today’, up 15 percentage points on the previous month.
At the time of the EU referendum in June 2016, immigration was mentioned by 48 per cent of people, Ipsos said.
The survey showed concern over the NHS and healthcare rose to second place – mentioned by 34 per cent – while the economy dropped two places to become the third most-mentioned topic, at 33 per cent.
The findings came from an Ipsos telephone survey of just over 1,000 adults carried out in the seven days from May 7.
Ipsos director Mike Clemence said: ‘The May Index shows British public concern about immigration reaching its highest level in almost a decade, far ahead of the NHS and economy… We have seen concern about immigration rise among groups who are traditionally more positive about immigration, as well as those who tend to be more concerned.’
During the polling period Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer warned the country risked becoming an ‘island of strangers’ without moves to address immigration.
Nearly half the public view immigration as one of the biggest problems in the country – the highest proportion since just before the historic Brexit vote (Stock Image)
Immigration was mentioned by 49 per cent of people asked to list the ‘most pressing issues facing Britain today’, up 15 percentage points on the previous month (Pictured: A dinghy heading for the UK in August last year)
During the polling period Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (above) warned the country risked becoming an ‘island of strangers’ without moves to address immigration
He said high migration numbers had caused ‘incalculable damage’ to public services, housing and the economy.
But he was accused of ‘taking the public for fools’ as he proposed an immigration crackdown after years of backing open borders.
During the 2020 Labour leadership contest Sir Keir said that ‘free movement has been hugely beneficial’ and ‘our immigration system should be welcoming and compassionate’.
He also backed ‘more safe and legal routes’ for people to join family members in the UK rather than risking crossing the Channel by small boat.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper unveiled her immigration White Paper on May 12 which said the Government would curb judges’ power to block deportations and reduce immigration to Britain by 98,000 a year.
A few days later official figures showed asylum claims hit a record 109,000 in a year, while the number of foreign nationals extending their visas to stay in Britain surged to almost 1 million.
