-
Forty-nine per cent see Covid-19 as one of the biggest
issues facing the country, down twenty-three percentage points
from last month
-
Concern about Brexit falls again, with one quarter now
mentioning it as a worry (26%), down from 33% in February, 35%
in January and 60% in December
-
This month sees significant increases in the proportion of
the public worried about the NHS, poverty/inequality, education
and housing
The March 2021 Ipsos MORI Issues Index records the first
significant drop in concern about Covid-19 since June
2020. The proportion who name the coronavirus as
a big issue for the country has fallen from 72 per cent in
February to 49 per cent this month. One third see the pandemic as
the single biggest issue (34%), a decrease from almost six in ten
last month (57%).
While economic concern has held steady, there has been a fall in
the proportion of the public naming Brexit as an issue. This
month 26 per cent cite the UK’s exit from the EU as a worry, the
joint-lowest score for this issue since the vote to leave in 2016
(concern was also at this level in April 2020). This month’s
score is seven percentage points lower than last month – and half
the level of concern recorded in December 2020 (60%).
There has been an eight-percentage point increase in mentions of
the NHS as a big concern: 24 per cent mention it as an issue.
Fieldwork occurred between 5 and 11 March, covering the period
when the Government announced a one per cent pay rise for NHS
staff.
Other issues that have risen significantly form last month
include Poverty and inequality (up 6ppt since February),
education (up 4 ppt), unemployment and immigration (both up
3ppt),
While concern about Coronavirus has fallen across all groups
since last month, there is a distinct pattern by age, with older
and younger Britons now significantly less concerned than those
in the middle age brackets. The proportion mentioning the
pandemic as an issue stands at 44% among 18-34s, 59% among 35-54
year olds, and 43% among the over 55s. By contrast, in February
these figures were 70%, 76% and 72% respectively.
Those aged 65 and over are among the least likely to mention the
pandemic as a big issue; 39% do so, meaning it is their joint-top
concern alongside the economy (also 39%).
Mike Clemence, Associate Research Director at Ipsos MORI,
said:
“This month’s issues index suggests the public may feel the
end of the pandemic is in sight. While half still see Covid-19 as
a big issue for the country, this is significantly lower than
last month, when three quarters felt the same way.
Concern is notably lower among older age groups, which may
suggest the vaccination campaign is having an impact on public
perceptions – although worries are also lower among the youngest
Britons who will not yet have been vaccinated.
Yet as concern about Covid falls we also see other worries
begin to rise. We have recorded significant increases this month
in worries about the NHS, poverty, education and housing.”
ENDS
Note to Editors
- For more information, please visit the Ipsos
MORI website once embargo is lifted
- Since May 2020 the Issues Index has been conducted over the
phone; lockdown conditions mean face-to-face fieldwork is
currently not an option for public opinion polling. Mode effects
should be kept in mind when comparing the new data points with
previous months.
- Ipsos MORI's Issues Index is conducted monthly and provides
an overview of the key issues concerning the country. Ipsos MORI
interviewed a representative sample of 1,009 adults aged 18+
across Great Britain. The answers are spontaneous responses, and
participants are not prompted with any answers.
- Ipsos MORI's telephone omnibus was used for this survey.
Interviews were conducted between 5 and 11 March 2021 across
Great Britain. Data are weighted to match the profile of the
population.
