Economy Tops Concerns as Labour’s Focus Appears Misaligned

A year into Keir Starmer’s premiership, the British public have made one thing abundantly clear: the economy and cost of living remain the defining issues of our time. According to the latest polling, 42% of voters say the economy is the most important issue facing the country, dwarfing concerns around immigration (28%) and the NHS (15%). But when asked what they believe the government is prioritising, only 20% say Labour is focusing most on the economy, exposing a widening gap between the public’s needs and perceptions of political action.

The data comes as Labour marks one year in power, having entered office on a promise to “change Britain” and put more money in people’s pockets. But with minimal GDP growth, rising business costs and mixed results across immigration, welfare and public services, that change is proving harder to deliver and even harder to convince voters of.

The Economy: Top of Mind But Not Front of Agenda?

The economy dominates across almost every demographic. Men and women, young and old, voters from Labour, Conservative and Reform UK all identify it as the most important issue by a wide margin. Among 45–54-year-olds, economic concerns are even more pronounced, with 48% saying it is their top priority, the most of any demographic. Of the main parties, Labour voters (47%) are by far the most concerned with Conservatives (39%) and Reform UK voters (23%) less concerned.

Yet despite this overwhelming consensus, only 20% of respondents believe the government is prioritising the economy. That number barely rises among Labour’s own voters (28%) and falls to just 15% among those aged 45–54, a group particularly hard hit by rising bills, stagnant pensions and squeezed savings.

This mismatch may reflect the government’s cautious approach to growth. While Chancellor Rachel Reeves has overseen a modest rebound, with GDP per capita rising 0.5% since last summer, much of the population hasn’t seen improvement. Meanwhile, new costs for employers via minimum wage increases and higher National Insurance contributions have weighed on small businesses.

Labour has argued that these policies are necessary for long-term resilience and redistribution. But for many voters, especially those who backed Labour in 2024 expecting swift relief, the current pace of change feels too slow and the economic message too vague.

Immigration: Persistent Concern, Political Exposure

Immigration continues to be the second-most important issue for voters, with 28% citing it as their top concern. Among Conservative and Reform UK voters, the figure rises to 35% and 60% respectively. These numbers reflect persistent anxiety over both legal and illegal migration, particularly the government’s handling of small boat crossings and asylum hotels, which have seen little improvement despite campaign promises.

While Labour has made moves to tighten visa rules and create a new Border Security Command, the effect on public perception has been limited. Only 16% of voters believe immigration is the government’s top priority. Among Reform UK supporters, whose concerns on this issue are most acute, just 15% think Labour is even focused on it at all.

The NHS: A Quiet Concern Amid Louder Crises

While 15% of voters say the NHS is the most important issue, only 12% believe the government is prioritising it. This relatively close alignment suggests that Labour’s high-profile pledges, two million additional appointments, scrapping NHS England and launching a ten-year plan, are beginning to register. However, the overall numbers remain low, and improvements to waiting lists have been marginal. The government has promised to meet the NHS’s 92% treatment target by 2029 but currently sits below 60%.

Younger voters (especially 18–24-year-olds) are more likely to prioritise healthcare but still express doubt about the government’s delivery. As Labour reconfigures NHS management structures and reallocates budgets, the risk is that short-term confusion could eclipse longer-term goals.

Brexit, Climate and Crime: Secondary Priorities, Limited Focus

Only 2% of the public say Brexit is the most important issue facing the UK, but 13% believe it’s what the government is focusing on, a clear sign of disconnect. This perception may stem from recent trade talks, defence pacts with the EU and headlines around the Chagos Islands deal but suggests that voters would rather see attention redirected toward domestic issues.

Similarly, just 4% of voters choose climate change as the most important issue, despite it receiving 7% of perceived government focus. Crime and public safety also trail as both a public and governmental concern, though it rises slightly among 18–24-year-olds and Reform UK voters.

These figures suggest that while Labour has tried to present a comprehensive reform agenda, the urgency voters place on economic relief, migration control and health system reform is not being matched in public understanding of where ministers are placing their political energy.

Voters are Confused Over Labour’s Priorities

Perhaps the most striking statistic in the polling is the sheer number of voters who are unsure about Labour’s priorities. A full 22% of respondents say they “don’t know” what issue the government is focusing on, a number that rises to 23% among 18–24-year-olds and peaks at 40% among non-voters. Even among Labour’s own 2024 supporters, 16% are unsure.

This suggests not just a disagreement over priorities but a deeper problem with communication and clarity. After a year of governing, a significant portion of the electorate remains unsure what Labour’s central mission actually is.

The latest polling paints a picture of a country still gripped by economic anxiety, immigration tensions and health service strain, yet unconvinced that the government is focused on addressing them. While Labour began its term with a commanding majority and a promise to “change Britain”, many voters now struggle to see evidence of that change in their daily lives.

Unless Labour can clearly demonstrate that its agenda is aligned with public priorities, it risks creating the very disillusionment that fuelled the rise of Reform UK and Nigel Farage in the first place.

Download the data tables for this poll.