From high streets to potholes – these are the biggest local issues according to Brits
With local, mayoral, and devolved elections on 7 May 2026, a new YouGov survey reveals what matters most to voters in their own communities, and it’s not always the national headlines dominating Westminster.
Asked to pick up to three most important issues in their local area, Britons put roads – including potholes, parking, and congestion – at the top of the list, with 37% citing them as a priority. Close behind is the economy and cost of living at 35%, followed by NHS GP and hospital services/facilities at 29%.
The findings highlight how everyday, tangible problems like crumbling roads and strained local services often trump broader political debates when it comes to the ballot box at the local level.
Potholes and parking trump national worries
Roads emerged as the clear frontrunner across most voter groups, with older Britons particularly concerned. 44% of those aged 65 and over flagged roads as a top issue, compared to 33-36% among younger age groups.
The economy/cost of living, while a perennial national concern, also resonated strongly locally, especially among working-age adults. It was cited by 35-41% of those under 65, but only 25% of over-65s.
NHS services rounded out the top three, with women significantly more likely than men to highlight GP and hospital facilities (35% vs 22%) and NHS dentist services (17% vs 11%).
Political divides emerge on local priorities
While roads, the economy, and NHS services dominated for voters of the major parties – Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrats, and Green – one group stood out as an exception.
Reform UK voters bucked the trend, naming immigration as their number one local issue (46%). They were also more likely to cite council taxes (22%). Men overall were more likely to see immigration as a major local problem (24% vs 14% for women).
Green voters, meanwhile, were distinctive in highlighting racism and the rise of the far right (23%), a figure that rose to 22% among 18-24 year olds.
Younger adults (18-24) were also more concerned about unemployment (20%) than older groups.
Although not broken out as a standalone category in the top issues, separate YouGov research earlier this year showed widespread dissatisfaction with Britain’s high streets, with only 35% of people describing their local high street as in a “good state” and 43% saying it was in a bad way. Reform UK voters were the most negative, with 56% viewing their local high street poorly.
