Immigration is no longer the public’s top concern, a study has found, after it was replaced by health as the nation’s number one priority.

Figures published today by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) reveal that as the nation prepares to leave the EU later this month, not only has the general population become happier, their priorities have also shifted.

The ONS report, ‘Measuring national well-being in the UK: international comparisons, 2019’ compares personal well-being levels within the UK and with the rest of Europe.

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

Economists believe that the shift signals “a return to traditional, domestic issues” as the UK prepares to leave Europe and the Brexit negotiations are underway.

Christopher Snowdon, head of lifestyle economics at the Institute of Economic Affairs(IEA) said of the trend: “It’s very obvious that people concerned about immigration believe that Brexit is going to be a way to reduce it.”

“There’s a perception that Britain is getting control back of their borders so people are focussing on the traditional issues like health and the NHS, social security and spending,” he added.