A new poll has revealed that most Britons do not view immigration as a pressing local concern, despite widespread political and media focus on the issue.
According to a YouGov survey commissioned by Best for Britain, only 26% of respondents listed immigration and asylum as one of the top three issues affecting their communities half the 52% who said it was one of the biggest problems facing the UK nationally.
The findings, published in Best for Britain’s latest report, suggest that while immigration ranks second among national concerns, it falls to seventh when people are asked about what matters most in their local areas.
Tom Brufatto, spokesperson for Best for Britain, said the results highlight how “media exposure and political discourse are fanning the flames of anti-immigration sentiment,” causing polarization across the political spectrum.
He argued that focusing on issues such as the cost of living and repairing post-Brexit economic damage would do more to unite voters than scapegoating immigrants.
Similarly, Saeema Syeda of the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants described current immigration concerns as a “manufactured panic driven by some politicians and parts of the media to distract from real issues.There is no immigration crisis,” she said.
“People care about making ends meet, accessing healthcare, decent schools, and secure homes. We need to stop the scapegoating and focus on real solutions.”
The poll underscores a widening gap between public priorities on the ground and the dominant narratives shaping national debate.
