A Nation on Edge: Concern High Across the Board as Labour Struggles to Reassure Voters

Labour faces a public deeply concerned about nearly every major issue, economic insecurity, immigration, the NHS and crime. But behind this widespread anxiety lies a striking pattern: voters from all parties, including Labour’s own 2024 base, appear unconvinced that the government is doing enough to address their most pressing fears.

Economic Anxiety: Shared by All But Felt Most Sharply on the Right

The UK’s economic situation, encompassing cost of living, inflation and slow growth, remains the most consistent and cross-cutting source of concern. Nearly half the country (48%) say they are “very concerned” about the economy and a further 38% are “somewhat concerned”. Just 10% express minimal or no concern.

Voters across party lines share this anxiety but its intensity varies. Reform UK supporters are the most alarmed, 64% say they are “very concerned”, while 49% of Conservative and 45% of Labour voters say the same.

Among the youngest voters, concern is milder. Just 34% of 18–24-year-olds say they are “very concerned”, compared to over 50% in every older age group, apart from 44-55’s (46%). This generational divide may reflect differing levels of personal financial responsibility, home ownership or employment vulnerability.

These concerns emerge as Labour’s economic promises face mounting pressure. Though GDP per person has ticked up slightly since the election, the recovery has been uneven, fuelling people’s anxiety.

Immigration: A Dividing Line Between Left and Right

Immigration continues to polarise the electorate. 45% of voters are “very concerned” about immigration and a further 33% are “somewhat concerned”. But these headline figures mask a sharp political divide.

70% of Reform UK voters and 56% of Conservative voters express deep concern over immigration, compared to 37% of Labour voters and 23% of Liberal Democrats. Among Green voters, only 25% are “very concerned”.

Age plays a role as well: while 54% of those aged 65+ are “very concerned”, that figure drops to 31% among 18–24-year-olds. This generational divergence reflects the evolving cultural and political values shaping public debates on migration and asylum.

The NHS: Near-Universal Concern But Uneven Expectations

The National Health Service remains a bedrock concern for voters. 48% of the public are “very concerned” about the NHS, while 37% are “somewhat concerned”. Just 10% express minimal worry, confirming that health remains a top-tier issue despite being overshadowed in the media by economic and immigration debates.

Concern is broadly uniform across party lines, but Labour voters are slightly more alarmed than their Conservative counterparts, 51% vs 48% saying they are “very concerned.” Among Green (47%) and Reform UK (51%) voters, the NHS is a similarly high priority. Demographically, women are more likely than men to express strong concern (50% vs 47%), and those aged 25–34 report the highest anxiety.

Labour has made NHS reform a cornerstone of its first year, with pledges to increase appointment capacity, scrap NHS England and launch a ten-year strategy. But the results remain limited. Waiting lists are down only marginally and junior doctors are again threatening strike action. For a party that campaigned on rebuilding the NHS, the public may be expecting more visible progress than they’ve seen so far.

Crime and Safety: A Quiet But Growing Concern

Concern over crime and public safety is not as dominant as other issues but remains notable. 36% of voters are “very concerned” and 39% are “somewhat concerned”. These numbers have held steady, despite crime receiving relatively little government attention compared to the economy or immigration.

The political divide is again instructive. Farage’s Reform UK supporters are the most concerned, 55% say they are “very concerned”, followed by Conservatives at 41%. Only 34% of Labour voters and 25% of Liberal Democrats express the same level of alarm. Notably, concern about crime is highest among men (38%) and older voters (39% of those 65+).

Labour’s first-year agenda has paid relatively little attention to crime. While Yvette Cooper’s Home Office has focused on immigration and organised crime, the absence of a bold crime reduction or policing strategy may explain why this issue lingers beneath the surface.

The message from voters is clear: Britain remains a nation in a state of concern. From the cost of living crisis to border control, NHS strain and rising fear of crime, public anxiety cuts across age, gender and political lines. But Labour’s challenge is more specific, while concern is shared across the board, many voters, including Labour’s own 2024 supporters, feel uncertain about the government’s direction, clarity and delivery.

Download the data tables for this poll.