Immigration is the top concern for people living in the UK: poll
The August 2025 Ipsos Issues Index reveals that immigration remains the biggest issue facing the country this month, in the eyes of the public. Concern has risen eight points since July, with 48% naming it as an important issue.
Among growing concerns about immigration, another new Ipsos poll reveals that two in five (42%) Britons believe the current Labour government is doing a worse job of managing immigration than the previous Conservative administration.
This finding points to significant and growing public dissatisfaction, with the figure having risen from 33% in April 2025 (though there has also been a rise in those who think Labour is doing a better job than the Conservatives, from 17% to 23%).
The key concern
The data shows nearly half (48%) name immigration as an important issue facing Britain, up 8 points since July. Concern continues to be highest among Reform UK supporters (84%), older people aged 55+ and Conservative supporters (both 59%), compared with 33% of Labour supporters and 34% of 18-34 year olds.
However, the highest increases in concern this month can be seen among Labour supporters (+17 percentage points since July) and Conservative supporters (+12 points).
The economy and NHS make up the rest of the top three issues this month, mentioned by 33% (+3 ppts since July) and 22% (-8 ppts) respectively.
Two in five (42%) Britons say that the current Labour government is doing a worse job at managing immigration than the previous Conservative government, up from one in three (33%) in April 2025. There has also been a rise in those saying Labour is doing a better job (up from 17% to 23%), and a fall in those thinking there is no difference (down from 40% to 27%).
Small boats and perception
Two in three Britons (68%) believe the number of people arriving in the UK on small boats has increased over the last 12 months, with 62% saying they think the number of asylum applications has increased. Also 62% say the number of asylum seekers housed in hotels across the UK has increased, while just under half (46%) believe the number of asylum seekers housed in their local area has increased.
Three in ten (31%) Britons feel their local area is housing more than its fair share of asylum seekers, with another three in ten (29%) saying it is about right, and few (8%) saying less than its fair share. A substantial minority (32%) says they do not know.
Those who voted for Reform UK at the 2024 General Election are most likely to say their area is housing more than its fair share (61%).
