This month marks the fortieth anniversary of our Issues Index, which was first asked in September 1974. This September Economist/Ipsos MORI Issues Index shows a large increase in concern about defence/foreign affairs – approaching a quarter (23%) are concerned about this issue, the highest since November 2009, in the wake of the publicised murders of western hostages in the Middle East. This is an increase of nine percentage points since August, and this issue is now the fourth most important issue facing Britain. Those who are more concerned with this issue include Conservative voters - approaching half (48%) are concerned, along with a third (32%) of those aged 55+.

1. Contacts:
Gideon.Skinner@ipsos.com
Jerry.Latter@ipsos.com
020 7347 3000 40th anniversary edition
September 1974 - September 2014

2. 2
Base: 973 British adults 18+, 29th August – 10th September 2014
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
39
30
25
23
21
16
15
14
13
11
Top mentions %
Economy
NHS
Housing
Defence/foreign affairs/terrorism
Race relations/Immigration
Education/schools
Poverty/inequality
Unemployment
Change since Aug:
+1
-2
+9
0
-5
+2
+2
0
0
0
%
Position
Crime/Law and Order/ASB
Inflation/prices
+1
-2
-2
+1
+2
-1
+1
+1

3. 3
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
May
1997
May
1998
May
1999
May
2000
May
2001
May
2002
May
2003
May
2004
May
2005
May
2006
May
2007
May
2008
May
2009
May
2010
May
2011
May
2012
May
2013
May
2014
Unemployment
NHS
Crime/
Law & Order
Economy
Race / immigration

4. 4
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
May
1997
May
1998
May
1999
May
2000
May
2001
May
2002
May
2003
May
2004
May
2005
May
2006
May
2007
May
2008
May
2009
May
2010
May
2011
May
2012
May
2013
May
2014
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
Global Recession and Russian Financial crisis
Highest score since 1992. Most important issue for the first time
Sub-prime mortgage crisis in the US
Northern Rock nationalised
End of recession announced
Bank
bailout
Cameron becomes
PM
Lowest score since June 2008 (30%)

5. 5
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
0
10
20
30
40
50
May
1997
May
1998
May
1999
May
2000
May
2001
May
2002
May
2003
May
2004
May
2005
May
2006
May
2007
May
2008
May
2009
May
2010
May
2011
May
2012
May
2013
May
2014
Race riots in Burnley, Oldham, and Bradford
Sangatte detention centre costantly in the news throughout 2002
9/11
Foreign prisoners
furore
Cameron becomes
PM
Border controls relaxed for Romanians and Bulgarians
Top issue facing the UK for the first time since April 2008 (39%)

6. 6
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
0
10
20
30
40
50
May
1997
May
1998
May
1999
May
2000
May
2001
May
2002
May
2003
May
2004
May
2005
May
2006
May
2007
May
2008
May
2009
May
2010
May
2011
May
2012
May
2013
May
2014
Unemployment falls below 1 million for first time in 25 years
Minimum wage introduced
Unemployment in Britain rises to 5.5%
Lowest ever score
(5%)
Youth unemployment reaches 1 million
Cameron becomes
PM

7. 7
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
May
1997
May
1998
May
1999
May
2000
May
2001
May
2002
May
2003
May
2004
May
2005
May
2006
May
2007
May
2008
May
2009
May
2010
May
2011
May
2012
May
2013
May
2014
May day riots
Blair activates civil contingencies machinery to deal with spiralling street crime
Tory election pledge of 40,000 more police
Riots in England
Prison overcrowding reaches record levels
9/11
Cameron becomes
PM

8. 8
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
May
1997
May
1998
May
1999
May
2000
May
2001
May
2002
May
2003
May
2004
May
2005
May
2006
May
2007
May
2008
May
2009
May
2010
May
2011
May
2012
May
2013
May
2014
Report says waiting lists have doubled under Labour
Blair – “We have underfunded the NHS for years and we are paying the price for it” – BBC NHS day
Hewitt heckled at UNISON conference – fears over NHS job cuts
Lowest score
since
December 1985 (12%)
Cameron becomes
PM

9. 9
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
0
10
20
30
40
50
May
1997
May
1998
May
1999
May
2000
May
2001
May
2002
May
2003
May
2004
May
2005
May
2006
May
2007
May
2008
May
2009
May
2010
May
2011
May
2012
May
2013
May
2014
London Bombs
Introduction of means-tested tuition fees. Education most important issue.
First City Academies introduced
Lowest score since Dec 1985 (9%)
Labour’s second term - pledge to improve failing secondary schools
Education and Inspections Bill limits the power of LAs to open new schools
April 2011 – Pupil Premium introduced
Cameron becomes
PM

10. 10
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
May
1997
May
1998
May
1999
May
2000
May
2001
May
2002
May
2003
May
2004
May
2005
May
2006
May
2007
May
2008
May
2009
May
2010
May
2011
May
2012
May
2013
May
2014
9/11
London Bombs
Invasion of Iraq – protests across Europe
General Election - extra £400 million allocated for defence budget
Failed terror attacks in London and Glasgow
UK withdraws from Iraq
War in Kosovo
Parliamentary vote on action in Syria
Cameron becomes
PM
NATO bombing in Libyan Civil War
Rise of ISIL

11. 11
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
0
5
10
15
20
May
1998
May
1999
May
2000
May
2001
May
2002
May
2003
May
2004
May
2005
May
2006
May
2007
May
2008
May
2009
May
2010
May
2011
May
2012
May
2013
May
2014
Sept 1999: Alastair Darling – “one child in three” living in poverty
July 2014 – highest score recorded (18%)
January 2005 – Make Poverty History campaign launched on New Year’s Day
Cameron becomes
PM

12. 12
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
May
1997
May
1998
May
1999
May
2000
May
2001
May
2002
May
2003
May
2004
May
2005
May
2006
May
2007
May
2008
May
2009
May
2010
May
2011
May
2012
May
2013
May
2014
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
Inflation rate hits 16 year peak
Inflation rises to 3.4%
Cameron becomes
PM

13. 13
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
0
5
10
15
20
May
1997
May
1998
May
1999
May
2000
May
2001
May
2002
May
2003
May
2004
May
2005
May
2006
May
2007
May
2008
May
2009
May
2010
May
2011
May
2012
May
2013
May
2014
A8 Countries join the EU
House prices rising at fastest rate in 10 years
2005 Election – Blair promises
to make families £800 better off
and help first time buyers
Highest score since May 2008 (15%)
Cameron becomes
PM

14. 14
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
May
1997
May
1998
May
1999
May
2000
May
2001
May
2002
May
2003
May
2004
May
2005
May
2006
May
2007
May
2008
May
2009
May
2010
May
2011
May
2012
May
2013
May
2014
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
Lords vote to increase compensation for those whose company pension schemes have collapsed
Blair and Harriet Harman propose ‘affluence testing’ to exclude the well-off from state benefits
Brown unveils pension credits
Pensions commission report – “more than 12 million working people are not saving enough for their retirement”
Lowest ever score (3%)
Cameron becomes
PM

15. 15
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
0
5
10
15
20
May
1997
May
1998
May
1999
May
2000
May
2001
May
2002
May
2003
May
2004
May
2005
May
2006
May
2007
May
2008
May
2009
May
2010
May
2011
May
2012
May
2013
May
2014
Cameron’s “Vote Blue, go Green” campaign at 2006 local elections
Buncefield Oil Depot fire – toxic cloud reaches northern Spain
Wettest Autumn since records began – widespread flooding across the UK
EC proposes carbon emission cuts of 20% by 2020
Stern Review on climate change
Cameron becomes
PM
Flooding in England

16. 16
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
0
10
20
30
40
May
1997
May
1998
May
1999
May
2000
May
2001
May
2002
May
2003
May
2004
May
2005
May
2006
May
2007
May
2008
May
2009
May
2010
May
2011
May
2012
May
2013
May
2014
G8 commitment to globalisation in Cologne
9/11
Treaty of Accession: 10 new EU Member States
UK starts 6 month EU Presidency, France and Holland reject ratification of constitution
Lowest score recorded (1%)
Amsterdam Treaty signed – increases EU remit
Cameron becomes
PM
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home
Post Euro elections: Highest score since June 2005 (12%)

17. 17
15%
25%
33%
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today? – Defence/foreign affairs/terrorism
Base: 973 British adults 18+, 29th August – 10th September 2014
Ipsos MORI Issues Index
Concern by region
11%
Greater London
21%
25%
21%
24%
Rural dwellers most concerned
Concern by party
23%
Labour
48%
Conservative
Urban
Suburban
Rural
Concern differs by social grade
17%
C2DE
28%
ABC1

18. 18
What would you say is the biggest issue facing Britain today?
Base: 973 British adults 18+, 29th August – 10th September 2014
Ipsos MORI Issues Index
25
11
10
8
6
5
3
3
3
3
39
23
30
21
25
13
16
15
14
11
Economy
NHS
Housing
Defence/foreign affairs/terrorism
Race relations/Immigration
Education/schools
Poverty/inequality
Unemployment
Crime/Law and Order/ASB
Inflation/prices
Top mentions %
Most important issue
Most/other important issues

19. 19
-70
-60
-50
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
% +
Q. What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
Q. Do you think the general economic condition of the country will improve, stay the same or get worse over the next 12 months? (% “better” - % “worse” = EOI)
Base: c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index / Political Monitor

21. 21

22. 22
Year
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
1974
1976
1978
1980
1982
1984
1986
1988
1990
1992
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
2014
Unemployment
Economy
The NHS
Defence/ terrorism
Crime
Inflation/prices

23. 23
36% 31% 22% 21%
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index, 1974-2014. 17%
N.B. Only issues asked over the whole 40 year period included
The size of each circle is proportionate to the average percentage score for each issue over the 40 year period

24. 24
Year
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
1974
1976
1978
1980
1982
1984
1986
1988
1990
1992
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
2014
UK unemployment rate, %
Unemployment an issue, %
% unemployed
% agree an issue
Source: ONS, Ipsos MORI Issues Index, 1974-2014.

25. 25
Year
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
1974
1976
1978
1980
1982
1984
1986
1988
1990
1992
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
2014(Census figures)
% agree race relations/immigration an issue
Source: UK Census 1981-2011, Ipsos MORI Issues Index, 1974-2014.

26. 26
Year
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
1987
1989
1991
1993
1995
1997
1999
2001
2003
2005
2007
2009
2011
2013
Economy as an issue, %
Public debt as % of GDP
Public debt as % GDP
% saying the economy an issue
Source: ONS, Ipsos MORI Issues Index, 1974-2014.
N.B. trend since 1987

27. 27
Year
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
3
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
1987
1989
1991
1993
1995
1997
1999
2001
2003
2005
2007
2009
2011
2013
Economy as an issue, %
GDP quarter on quarter growth
Quarterly GDP growth, %
% saying the economy an issue
Source: ONS, Ipsos MORI Issues Index, 1974-2014.
N.B. trend since 1987

28. 28
Year
0
5000
10000
15000
20000
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
1974
1976
1978
1980
1982
1984
1986
1988
1990
1992
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
2014
% saying crime an issue
Incidence of crime (CSEW)
Crime as an issue, %
Incidence of crime (CSEW)
Source: Crime Survey of England and Wales (CSEW) 1981-2014; Ipsos MORI Issues Index, 1974- 2014.

29. 29
82
23
22
19
12
10
9
8
7
6
Top mentions %
Housing
Trade Unions
Unemployment
Common Market
Prices/Inflation
Pensions
Race relations/immigration
Education
Crime/Law and order
Northern Ireland
One month before the second 1974 General Election, after the 1973 oil crisis and miners’ strikes of 1972 and 1974, the British public were overwhelmingly concerned about prices and inflation
Concern over Europe was also high;
The Labour Manifesto for October 1974 promised a renegotiation of the UK’s membership to the European Economic Community (EEC), followed by an in-out referendum
CON
39%
LAB
44%
LIB
15%
Source: Gallup/Telegraph
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index, 1974-2014.
September 1974 also saw the launch of the BBC’s Ceefax service

30. 30
70
39
22
21
10
10
7
7
5
5
Trade Unions
Nuclear Weapons
Defence/Foreign affairs
Inflation/prices
Unemployment
NHS
European Communities
Crime
Education
Pensions
Top mentions %
With unemployment at 11.8% - near to the highest level ever recorded in the UK - unemployment was seen as the key issue facing the country by a large proportion
Six months into the 1984 Coal Miners’ strike, with fresh clashes between police and strikers at the Maltby Colliery picket, trade unions were still seen as one of the biggest issues facing the country
CON
42%
LAB
36%
LIB/SDP
20%
Source: MORI/Evening Standard
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index, 1974-2014.
Prince Harry was born on 14th September, 1984

31. 31
59
34
33
21
20
9
8
7
6
5
NHS
Crime
Housing
Education
Unemployment
Pensions
Morality/individual lifestyle
Economy
European Union
Inflation/prices
Top mentions %
Although unemployment was falling across the country, the overall jobless rate still stood at 9.4%, meaning that unemployment remained the greatest issue for many
At the high point of a UK-wide crime wave, concern with crime reached its highest level since 1980
CON
25%
LAB
54%
LIB
17%
Source: MORI/Times
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index, 1974-2014.
In September 1994 Wet Wet Wet’s record 15- week number one single, Love is all Around reached the end of its chart-topping run

32. 32
36
34
29
27
26
15
10
8
8
8
NHS
Education
Economy
Crime
Defence/foreign affairs /terrorism
Pensions
Taxation
Race relations/immigration
European Union
Unemployment
Top mentions %
Over a year and a half after the invasion of Iraq, sectarian unrest and the recent capture of Saddam Hussein heightened public concern about defence, terrorism and foreign affairs
The first Foundation Trust NHS hospitals opened earlier this year; concern about the NHS, whilst still high, fell from a record peak of 72% in February 2002
CON
33%
LAB
32%
LIB
25%
Source: MORI
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index, 1974-2014.
On 15th September 2004, pro-hunting campaigners broke into the House of Commons