Health is now a bigger issue than migration, figures show

IMMIGRATION is no longer the public’s top concern, a study has found.

Figures published yesterday by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveal that ahead of Brexit, not only has the general population become happier, but their priorities have shifted.

The ONS report compares personal well-being levels both within the UK and with the rest of Europe.

In spring 2016, immigration was the public’s main concern, followed by health and social security, and terrorism. However, by spring 2018 health and social security had overtaken international concerns to take the top spot, followed by housing, rising inflation and the cost of living.

Economists believe that the shift signals “a return to traditional, domestic issues”. Christopher Snowdon, head of lifestyle economics at the Institute of Economic Affairs, said: “It’s very obvious that people concerned about immigration believe that Brexit is going to reduce it. So people are focusing on traditional issues like health and the NHS, social security and spending.”

The report found that in 2016, 38 per cent prioritised immigration as their main concern, with 26 per cent concerned by health and social security.

By 2018, the issues reversed, to 33 per cent and 21 per cent respectively.

Overall, Britons are looking positive. Personal well-being levels improved, as have mental health scores – increasing by 4.6 per cent between 2011 and 2016 to 63.2 per cent, close to the EU average of 64 per cent.

Prof Snowdon added: “People in the UK forget that there’s some pretty miserable people out there in the EU and throughout this whole period of austerity, life satisfaction in the UK has been increasing.”