Inflation remains public’s priority but concern about immigration rises – poll
Worry about immigration has risen by 75% but almost twice as many people said inflation is a major concern, the Ipsos survey revealed.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Concern about immigration has risen sharply in the past month but the cost of living remains the public’s overwhelming priority, according to a monthly poll.
One in five people told pollster Ipsos that they thought immigration was one of the biggest issues facing the country in a survey carried out in the first week of March, as the Government was preparing to introduce its Illegal Migration Bill.
That total represents a 75% increase since February, with concern highest among older voters, southerners and the least deprived.
But despite the increase in concern about immigration, inflation remains the public’s number one priority with 39% of people telling Ipsos it was one of their biggest issues.
Those living in the least deprived areas of Britain are much less likely to see inflation and prices as a concern
Concern about inflation has come down since its peak in August 2022 but remains significantly higher than at almost any time in the last 30 years.
Ipsos’s poll of 1,000 British adults found concern about inflation was particularly high in London, the North and Scotland, and among younger people, while older voters were more likely to mention the economy generally as one of their biggest concerns.
In total, 37% of people mentioned the economy as a major concern and 21% mentioned the NHS, putting immigration fourth on the list of priorities.
Lack of faith in politics and politicians was fifth, with 17% mentioning it, but that number rose to 30% among the least deprived fifth of the population.
Mike Clemence, a researcher at Ipsos, said: “We have seen a rise in concern about immigration among some groups this month – especially Conservative supporters and older people – but overall the public focus remains most firmly concentrated on economic issues.
“Our analysis of concerns against the relative deprivation of different parts of the country also reveals strongly divergent views.
“Those living in the least deprived areas of Britain are much less likely to see inflation and prices as a concern, but are far more worried about the economy and a lack of faith in politicians.”