What are the most important issues for UK voters in 2026?

In May 2026, the top issues for UK voters are: immigration (54%), NHS (51%), economy and cost of living (49%), housing (30%), and crime (32%). Multiple issues can be selected so percentages total above 100%. Immigration has topped the tracker every month since January 2025, driven by sustained high net migration figures and Reform UK keeping it politically prominent.

Which party do voters trust most on the NHS?

Labour leads NHS trust at 31% in May 2026, ahead of Reform UK at 18% and the Conservatives at 17%. Labour retains a structural advantage on health even despite low overall approval ratings. However, public satisfaction with NHS performance is at only 22%, suggesting the trust advantage has not translated into perceived delivery.

Which party leads on immigration trust?

Reform UK leads immigration trust by a large margin at 38%, compared to 16% for Labour and 16% for the Conservatives. Immigration is Reform UK's defining issue and the one area where their lead is near-unassailable. Voters who cite immigration as their top concern back Reform UK at approximately 58%.

Does issue ownership predict election outcomes?

Issue ownership — which party voters trust most on a given topic — is a strong predictor of vote choice. Parties that own the most salient issues in an election tend to win. In 2026, immigration is the top issue and Reform UK owns it. NHS is the second issue and Labour owns it but with low satisfaction. The party whose owned issue dominates the campaign is likely to have a significant electoral advantage.

Which issue has risen fastest in salience since 2024?

Housing has risen fastest in issue salience since the 2024 election, increasing from approximately 20% of voters naming it as a top issue to 30% by May 2026. The increase is driven by rising private sector rents, stalled new-build programmes in many councils, and persistent high mortgage rates affecting first-time buyers. Labour's 1.5 million homes pledge has increased the political salience of the issue without yet delivering visible progress.

How do issue concerns differ by age group?

Issue salience differs significantly by age. Over-65s prioritise immigration (68%), NHS (62%), and crime (41%). 18-34 year olds prioritise housing (51%), cost of living (55%), and climate change (44%). The middle cohort of 35-54 year olds most closely resembles the national average. These demographic differences explain why different parties target their issue messaging differently: Reform UK speaks primarily to older voters on immigration, while Greens and Labour compete for younger voters on housing and climate.

Issues Tracker — May 2026

What Issues Matter Most to UK Voters?

Real polling data on the issues driving British politics: from NHS waiting lists to immigration numbers.

Most Important Issues — May 2026

Polling composite

Respondents asked: "Which issues do you consider most important for the UK government to address?" Multiple answers permitted.

All 10 issues with polling sources →

NHS & Healthcare

Waiting lists, A&E delays, GP access, NHS funding

68%

say top issue

Economy & Growth

GDP growth, jobs, wages, public finances

62%

say top issue

Immigration

Net migration, borders, asylum, legal routes

54%

say top issue

Housing

Housebuilding, rents, affordability, planning

48%

say top issue

Cost of Living

Inflation, energy bills, food prices, mortgages

43%

say top issue

Party Trust by Issue

May 2026

NHS

Labour31%

Reform UK18%

Lib Dems15%

Conservatives12%

Full NHS data →

Economy

Labour28%

Conservatives25%

Reform UK22%

Lib Dems14%

Full economy data →

Immigration

Reform UK38%

Labour22%

Conservatives16%

Lib Dems8%

Full immigration data →

Explore Issues in Depth

68% say top issue

NHS & Healthcare

7.5m on waiting lists. Labour leads on trust at 31%.

62% say top issue

Economy & Growth

Labour leads at 28%. Reform UK surging at 22%.

54% say top issue

Immigration

Reform UK dominates at 38%. Net migration ~700k/year.

48% say top issue

Housing

Avg house price £290k. 65% say unaffordable for young.

43% say top issue

Cost of Living

Labour leads at 30%. Reform UK rising fast at 21%.

Related: Party Trackers

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most important issue for UK voters in 2026?

NHS and healthcare tops the list with 68% of voters naming it a most important issue, followed by the economy at 62% and immigration at 54%, according to May 2026 composite polling.

Which party do UK voters trust most overall?

Trust varies significantly by issue. Labour leads on NHS (31%), economy (28%), housing (29%) and cost of living (30%). Reform UK leads decisively on immigration at 38%. Conservatives remain competitive on the economy at 25%.

How is Reform UK polling on issues?

Reform UK leads all parties on immigration trust at 38%, a 16-point gap over Labour. With Reform now leading national VI at 28%, their dominance on immigration is a key driver of their poll lead. They are also competitive on the economy (22%) and cost of living (21%). See the Reform UK tracker.

Sources & Further Reading

Issue salience polling is conducted by BPC-member firms and tracked by the House of Commons Library. For the current cross-firm polling average, see our voting intention tracker. Issue-level polling is published alongside regular voting intention data by major pollsters including YouGov and Ipsos.