UK Most Important Issues 2026: Immigration Top, NHS Second, Economy Third
Immigration is cited as one of the most important issues facing Britain by 54% of voters — the highest ever recorded. NHS is second at 51%, Economy third at 49%. The issue landscape has fundamentally changed since the 2024 general election.
Current Most Important Issues Rankings
May 2026Respondents asked to select up to three issues they consider most important facing Britain today. Source: YouGov, May 2026. N=2,041.
Issue Salience Trend: Top 5 Issues Since GE 2024
Source: YouGov Issues Tracker, monthly composite. Immigration has risen from 44% to 54% as the top concern since the 2024 general election, while NHS has fallen from 62% as the pressure of waiting lists eases marginally.
Issues by Party Voter
| Issue | Reform voters | Con voters | Lab voters | Green voters | Lib Dem voters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Immigration | 82% | 62% | 28% | 14% | 34% |
| NHS & Health | 28% | 42% | 71% | 62% | 63% |
| Economy | 44% | 56% | 47% | 38% | 52% |
| Cost of Living | 42% | 49% | 58% | 56% | 51% |
| Crime & Safety | 57% | 44% | 21% | 18% | 28% |
| Climate & Energy | 6% | 16% | 29% | 71% | 38% |
| Housing | 22% | 28% | 35% | 48% | 36% |
| Education | 8% | 12% | 21% | 28% | 19% |
Source: YouGov voter segmentation data, May 2026. Respondents selected up to three top issues. Rows do not sum to 100.
Immigration Rises, NHS Falls: What Changed?
Immigration has risen from 44% at the July 2024 general election to 54% in May 2026 — its highest ever recorded level. Several factors drove this: continued high net migration figures near 700,000/year, Reform UK’s sustained media and political presence making immigration more salient, and the collapse of the Rwanda scheme without a credible replacement policy from Labour. Among Reform UK voters, 82% name immigration as a top concern — the sharpest issue-party alignment of any combination in British polling.
The NHS remains the second most important issue at 51% but has fallen from 62% at the 2024 election, when waiting lists were at their peak. Labour’s NHS investment pledge and an increase in elective procedures has partially reduced the acute crisis feeling. However 51% still name it as a top concern and Labour’s NHS approval is higher than on any other policy — it remains their strongest issue. Among Labour voters, 71% name NHS as a top concern, their most intensely felt issue.
Issue Priority Heatmap: Change vs. GE 2024
| Issue | GE 2024 (Jul) | May 2026 | Change | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Immigration | 44% | 54% | +10pp | Rising sharply |
| NHS & Health | 62% | 51% | -11pp | Falling |
| Economy | 52% | 49% | -3pp | Slight fall |
| Cost of Living | 58% | 48% | -10pp | Falling |
| Crime & Safety | 23% | 32% | +9pp | Rising |
| Climate & Energy | 26% | 22% | -4pp | Slight fall |
| Housing | 32% | 29% | -3pp | Slight fall |
| Defence | 12% | 18% | +6pp | Rising (Ukraine effect) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most important issue for UK voters in 2026?
Immigration is cited as one of the most important issues facing Britain by 54% of voters in May 2026 — its highest ever recorded level and up from 44% at the July 2024 general election. The NHS is second at 51%, the Economy third at 49% and Cost of Living fourth at 48%. Among Reform UK voters, 82% name immigration as a top concern.
How have the most important issues changed since the 2024 election?
The biggest changes since July 2024 are immigration rising +10 percentage points to 54%, crime rising +9pp to 32%, and NHS falling -11pp from 62% to 51% and cost of living falling -10pp from 58% to 48%. The declines in NHS and cost of living reflect partial improvements in waiting lists and inflation; the immigration and crime rises reflect Reform UK’s political agenda-setting.
Which issues do Reform UK voters care most about?
Reform UK voters are most intensely focused on immigration (82%), crime (57%) and the economy (44%). Climate and energy is their lowest concern at just 6% — the starkest partisan gap in British issue polling. This intense issue clustering around immigration and crime is the foundation of Reform UK’s electoral coalition and their rise to 28% in national polls.
How is “most important issue” polling measured?
“Most important issue” polling asks voters to select the issues they personally consider most important from a list, typically allowing two or three selections. YouGov’s tracker has used this methodology since 2001. The figures represent the percentage of all voters who select each issue — they do not sum to 100 since multiple selections are permitted.