Immigration: The View of the British Public Joe Twyman Co-founder and Director Deltapoll
The Importance of Immigration as a Political Issue 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 Source: Ipsos- Mori MII (‘Race relations’ used instead of ‘Immigration’ until 2012)
Immigration: General Points Attitudes to immigration have been studied for a long time Importance of immigration as an issue has varied significantly over time but declined since Brexit Issue almost always more important for the country than for individuals Majority want to see a reduction in immigration to this country Immigration concerns expressed not just in economic terms - political, social, cultural and even spiritual also important Women tend to be slightly more favourable and young people generally more favourable Those living in urban areas more favourable Big divisions along educational lines Areas that have experienced the greatest change tend to be most wary Narratives important as British perceptions of immigration often largely differ from the reality Conservatives always seen as best party on the issue, but politicians not generally trusted
Do you think that over the last 20-30 years immigration into the UK has been.... A great benefit to the UK for many reasons 14% Mostly beneficial to the UK but with some negative consequences 37% Mostly detrimental to the UK but with some positive consequences 23% A great detriment to the UK for many reasons 16% Don't know 11% Source: Deltapoll · Fieldwork: 8th – 11 th June 2018 · Sample: 2,063 British adults
Do you think that over the last 20-30 years immigration into the UK has been.... 32% 23% 19% 31% 35% 39% 47% 37% 56% 49% 72% 70% 68% 58% 54% 51% 50% 46% 40% 37% Con Lab Lib Dem Lab Held Con Held Remain Leave Remain Leave Total 2017 GE Vote Marginals EU Ref Labour Voters Benefit Detriment Source: Deltapoll · Fieldwork: 8th – 11 th June 2018 · Sample: 2,063 British adults
Which one of the following statements do you MOST agree with? It is more important to control immigration from EU countries because it has put too much of a strain on our resources like 61% housing and the NHS, OR It is more important that we allow in however many people from EU countries that we need to fill the available jobs to help drive the 30% economy Don't know 10% Source: Deltapoll · Fieldwork: 8th – 11 th June 2018 · Sample: 2,063 British adults
Which one of the following statements do you MOST agree with? 14% 22% 14% 30% 29% 29% 33% 53% 47% 46% 81% 75% 74% 61% 61% 60% 54% 43% 42% 40% Con Lab Lib Dem Lab Held Con Held Remain Leave Remain Leave Total 2017 GE Vote Marginals EU Ref Labour Voters Control Economy Source: Deltapoll · Fieldwork: 8th – 11 th June 2018 · Sample: 2,063 British adults
After Brexit do you want the UK government to deliver... A big reduction in immigration from EU countries 42% A small reduction in immigration from EU countries 28% A small increase in immigration from EU countries 12% A big increase in immigration from EU countries 2% Don't know 16% Source: Deltapoll · Fieldwork: 8th – 11 th June 2018 · Sample: 2,063 British adults
After Brexit do you want the UK government to deliver... 5% 8% 7% 14% 13% 12% 17% 23% 17% 24% 88% 86% 79% 70% 68% 68% 63% 62% 60% 55% Con Lab Lib Dem Lab Held Con Held Remain Leave Remain Leave Total 2017 GE Vote Marginals EU Ref Labour Voters Reduction Increase Source: Deltapoll · Fieldwork: 8th – 11 th June 2018 · Sample: 2,063 British adults
After Brexit, the government has set a target of reducing immigration to 'tens of thousands' per year. Do you think that this ambition is... Right, and should be introduced as a policy which is met 39% Right, and should be introduced as a policy but might be too rigid 34% and should allow for some flexibility Wrong, and should not be introduced at all 15% Don't know 12% Source: Deltapoll · Fieldwork: 8th – 11 th June 2018 · Sample: 2,063 British adults
After Brexit, the government has set a target of reducing immigration to 'tens of thousands' per year. Do you think that this ambition is... 6% 4% 6% 15% 15% 17% 8% 22% 27% 32% 88% 87% 81% 74% 73% 73% 69% 65% 62% 56% Con Lab Lib Dem Lab Held Con Held Remain Leave Remain Leave Total 2017 GE Vote Marginals EU Ref Labour Voters Right Wrong Source: Deltapoll · Fieldwork: 8th – 11 th June 2018 · Sample: 2,063 British adults
Which one of the following would you MOST support? The UK should allow in all EU citizens who want to live and work 22% here The UK should only allow in EU citizens with specialist skills 57% The UK should not allow in any more EU citizens 11% Don't know 10% Source: Deltapoll · Fieldwork: 8th – 11 th June 2018 · Sample: 2,063 British adults
Which one of the following would you MOST support? 1% 9% 7% 9% 14% 15% 11% 15% 24% 11% 39% 66% 49% 46% 54% 57% 72% 55% 68% 56% 44% 36% 30% 28% 25% 22% 17% 13% 11% 10% Con Lab Lib Dem Lab Held Con Held Remain Leave Remain Leave Total 2017 GE Vote Marginals EU Ref Labour Voters All EU Citizens EU Specialist No more EU Source: Deltapoll · Fieldwork: 8th – 11 th June 2018 · Sample: 2,063 British adults
When the UK has left the European Union, do you think the UK should favour... Controlled immigration from EU countries 21% Controlled immigration from Commonwealth countries 13% Treat Commonwealth and EU citizens on the same basis without 55% favour one way or the other Don't know 11% Source: Deltapoll · Fieldwork: 8th – 11 th June 2018 · Sample: 2,063 British adults
When the UK has left the European Union, do you think the UK should favour... 56% 45% 44% 52% 52% 55% 52% 71% 61% 57% 14% 19% 14% 13% 13% 13% 13% 12% 11% 13% 30% 26% 26% 25% 24% 21% 21% 16% 16% 11% Con Lab Lib Dem Lab Held Con Held Remain Leave Remain Leave Total 2017 GE Vote Marginals EU Ref Labour Voters EU Commonwealth Same basis Source: Deltapoll · Fieldwork: 8th – 11 th June 2018 · Sample: 2,063 British adults
Do you think the Windrush generation would have been treated this way if they were White rather than Black? Yes, their colour of their skin had nothing to do with their treatment 33% No, if they were White they would not have been treated this way 45% Don't know 21% Source: Deltapoll · Fieldwork: 8th – 11 th June 2018 · Sample: 2,063 British adults
Do you think the Windrush generation would have been treated this way if they were White rather than Black? 35% 36% 46% 44% 46% 54% 45% 58% 66% 58% 45% 43% 37% 36% 36% 33% 29% 26% 24% 21% Con Lab Lib Dem Lab Held Con Held Remain Leave Remain Leave Total 2017 GE Vote Marginals EU Ref Labour Voters Yes No Source: Deltapoll · Fieldwork: 8th – 11 th June 2018 · Sample: 2,063 British adults
Which one of the following do you think most applies to ILLEGAL immigration, which involves stopping anyone from seeking to live and work in the UK if they do not have the right to do so? A hostile policy toward illegal immigration is right, and should 51% continue despite the mistakes made with the Windrush generation A hostile immigration policy is wrong, and should end 31% Don't know 17% Source: Deltapoll · Fieldwork: 8th – 11 th June 2018 · Sample: 2,063 British adults
Which one of the following do you think most applies to ILLEGAL immigration, which involves stopping anyone from seeking to live and work in the UK if they do not have the right to do so? 20% 18% 27% 23% 31% 35% 42% 45% 55% 34% 68% 66% 57% 56% 51% 46% 41% 39% 39% 31% Con Lab Lib Dem Lab Held Con Held Remain Leave Remain Leave Total 2017 GE Vote Marginals EU Ref Labour Voters Right Wrong Source: Deltapoll · Fieldwork: 8th – 11 th June 2018 · Sample: 2,063 British adults
Key Narratives Plurality believe immigration has generally been of benefit to the UK Majority want to see a reduction in EU citizens coming to UK after Brexit Skilled migrants seen as preferable
@joetwyman joe@deltapoll.co.uk www.deltapoll.co.uk
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