The December 2015 Economist / Ipsos MORI Issues Index shows that concern about the combined issue of defence, terrorism and foreign affairs has increased by 29 percentage points since November, and is now the most important issue concerning the public, mentioned by two fifths (42%).

1. DECEMBER 2015
ECONOMIST/IPSOS MORI ISSUES INDEX
Contacts: Gideon.Skinner@ipsos.com
Jerry.Latter@ipsos.com
020 7347 3000

2. 2
Issues Facing Britain: December
Base: 1,003 British adults 18+, 27th November – 10th December 2015
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
42%
40%
34%
26%
16%
16%
16%
14%
11%
10%
Defence/foreign affairs/terrorism
Immigration/immigrants
NHS/Hospitals/Healthcare
Economy
Poverty/Inequality
Education/Schools
Housing
Unemployment
Low pay/fair wages
Ageing population/Social care
+29
-9
-1
0
-2
+2
-5
-3
-4
-1
%
Change since Nov:
Position
Top mentions %
-2
+9
-1
-1
-1
+3
-3
+3
-2

3. 3
Issues Facing Britain: December
Base: 1,003 British adults 18+, 27th November – 10th December 2015
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
42%
40%
34%
26%
16%
16%
16%
14%
11%
10%
25%
20%
8%
9%
5%
3%
3%
3%
2%
1%
Defence/foreign affairs/terrorism
Immigration/immigrants
NHS/Hospitals/Healthcare
Economy
Poverty/Inequality
Education/Schools
Housing
Unemployment
Low pay/fair wages
Ageing population/Social care
Top mentions %
MOST/OTHER
IMPORTANT ISSUES
MOST IMPORTANT
ISSUE

4. 4
Issues Facing Britain: Long Term Trends
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
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
May
2015
NHS UNEMPLOYMENT
CRIME/LAW &
ORDER ECONOMY IMMIGRATION*
*Up until September 2014 the code was race relations/immigration/immigrants
HOUSING

5. 5
Cameron becomes PM
Issues Facing Britain:
Economy / Economic situation
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
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
May
2015
Global Recession
and Russian
Financial crisis
Highest score since 1992;
Most important issue for
the first time
Sub-prime mortgage
crisis in the US
End of
recession
announced
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home
Lowest score
since March 2008
(25%)
Northern Rock
nationalised

6. 6
Cameron becomes PM
Issues Facing Britain:
Immigration / Immigrants*
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home
* Up until Sept 2014 the code was race relations/immigration/immigrants
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
2015
Border controls relaxed for “A8” EU
Countries
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
Border controls
relaxed for
Romanians and
Bulgarians
Highest concern
ever recorded (56%)

7. 7
Cameron becomes PM
Issues Facing Britain:
Unemployment / Factory closure / Lack of industry
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
May
2015
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
Lowest score
since October 2008
(14%)
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index

8. 8
Cameron becomes PM
Issues Facing Britain:
Crime / Law & Order / Violence / Vandalism / ASB
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
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
2015
May day riots Riots in
England
9/11

9. 9
Cameron becomes PM
Issues Facing Britain:
NHS / Hospitals / Healthcare
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
May
2015
Report says waiting lists have
doubled under Labour
Lowest score since
December 1985 (12%)
Highest score since April 2006
(47%)
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues IndexBase: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home

10. 10
Cameron becomes PM
Issues Facing Britain:
Education / Schools
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
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
May
2015
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
April 2011 – Pupil
Premium introduced
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home

11. 11
Cameron becomes PM
Issues Facing Britain:
Defence / Foreign Affairs / International terrorism
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
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
May
2015
9/11 London
Bombs
Invasion of Iraq –
protests across Europe
Failed terror
attacks in London
and Glasgow
UK withdraws
from Iraq
War in
Kosovo
Parliamentary vote
against action in Syria
NATO bombing
in Libya
Rise of
ISIS
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home
Paris attacks and
Parliamentary vote for
action against IS in Syria

12. 12
Cameron becomes PM
Issues Facing Britain:
Poverty/inequality
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
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
May
2015
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
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home

13. 13
Cameron becomes PM
Issues Facing Britain:
Inflation/Prices
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
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
May
2015
Inflation rate hits 16 year
peak
Inflation rises
to 3.4%
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home

14. 14
Cameron becomes PM
Issues Facing Britain:
Housing
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
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
May
2015
A8 Countries
join the EU
House prices
rising at fastest
rate in 10 years
Highest score since
October 1974 (21%)
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home

15. 15
Cameron becomes PM
Issues Facing Britain:
Pensions/Social Security/Benefits
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
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
May
2015
Equitable Life sells
its non-profit
pension annuities
Blair and Harriet Harman propose
‘affluence testing’ to exclude the well-
off from state benefits
Gordon Brown unveils
pension credits
Pensions commission report –
“more than 12 million working
people are not saving enough for
their retirement”
Lowest ever
score (3%)
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home

16. 16
Cameron becomes PM
Issues Facing Britain:
Pollution / Environment
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
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
May
2015
Wettest Autumn since
records began –
widespread flooding
across the UK
EC proposes carbon emission
cuts of 20% by 2020
Flooding in
England
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home

17. 17
Cameron becomes PM
Issues Facing Britain:
Common Market / Europe / Euro / EU
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
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
May
2015
Treaty of Accession: 10 new
EU Member States
France and Holland reject
ratification of EU constitution
Lowest score
recorded (1%)
UKIP come first in Euro
elections
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home
EU Referendum Bill:
Highest score since June
2005 (13%)

18. 18
Cameron becomes PM
Issues Facing Britain:
Low pay/minimum wages/fair pay
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
0
5
10
15
20
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
2015
Base: representative sample of c.1,000 British adults age 18+ each month, interviewed face-to-face in home
Highest recorded
score (15%)

19. 19
Top issues – concern by party support
Base: 233 Conservative and 287 Labour supporters aged 18+, 27th November – 10th December 2015
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
50%
55%
40%
29%
9%
18%
17%
9%
3%
13%
41%
32%
38%
26%
19%
19%
13%
20%
17%
7%
Defence/foreign affairs/terrorism
Immigration/immigrants
NHS/Hospitals/Healthcare
Economy
Poverty/Inequality
Education/Schools
Housing
Unemployment
Low pay/fair wages
Ageing population/Social care
Top mentions %
CONSERVATIVE
SUPPORTERS
LABOUR
SUPPORTERS

20. 20
Age and social grade – different priorities
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today?
Immigration/Defence, Foreign affairs and terrorism/Economy/NHS
Source: Ipsos MORI Issues Index
30%
37%
41%
45% 45%
42%
34%
25%
51%
43%
48%
42%
31%
18%
34%
23%
31%
18%
30%
22%
39%
35%
42%
31%
ABC1 18-34 C2DE 18-34 ABC1 35-54 C2DE 35-54 ABC1 55+ C2DE 55+
IMMIGRATION
DEFENCE/FOREIGN
AFFAIRS/TERRORISM ECONOMY NHS
Base: 1,003 British adults 18+, 27th November – 10th December 2015

21. 21
Concern about defence/foreign affairs/terrorism by
subgroups
Base: 1,003 British adults 18+, 27th November – 10th December 2015
N.B. Boxed figures are significantly different to the average
What do you see as the most/other important issues facing Britain today? Defence/foreign affairs/terrorism
Ipsos MORI Issues Index
33%
18-24
27%
25-34
44%
35-44
52%
45-54
53%
55-64
41%
65+
Concern about defence/terrorism/foreign
affairs by age:
46%
51%
33%
42%
Concern by
region:
42%
31%
43%
50%
41%
53%
38% 39%
35%
Overall Urban Rural CON LAB AB C1 C2 DE
Social GradeLocale Party support
Concern about defence/terrorism/ foreign affairs by key
demographic groups:
28%