It’s less than three weeks until Britain goes to the polls, and the nation seems divided. Here, we find out what British people really think about the issues that matter – from money and healthcare to housing and immigration. We ask if people have experienced sexism, where they would prefer to live, and how long they spend on social networking sites

Work/life balance

Which of the following causes you the most anxiety in life?

Money = 30%

Family = 16%

Health = 16%

Work pressures = 9%

Time pressures = 8%

Love life = 4%

Other = 3%

Nothing = 15%

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Money is the greatest source of anxiety for Britons; 30% identify it as so, a far higher proportion than the next two biggest causes of anxiety, family (16%) and health (16%). When the results are broken down, money is the biggest cause of anxiety for all age groups, although particularly among the young (38% of those aged 18-34). There are big regional variations, with money worries most common in the east of England and south-west (both 38%) and least common in Wales (14%). Indeed, Wales is the only region where money is not the greatest cause of anxiety; family is a bigger cause. Money concerns peak among the unemployed, 68% of whom cite it as their biggest anxiety.

Only 9% of Britons identify work as their greatest source of anxiety, although this figure rises to 17% among those working full-time. It is perhaps surprising that work pressures are not a greater source of anxiety, as our poll results highlight the extent to which job security is a thing of the past: 19% of all Britons have been made redundant from a job at some point within the past 10 years. This figure rises to 25% of those currently working full-time and 35% of those who are currently unemployed.

Given the choice, would you work shorter hours for the same money or the same hours for more money?

Shorter hours/same money = 38%

Same hours/more money = 62%

Base: all who are currently working full- or part-time

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Despite widespread fears of redundancy, the poll suggests a workforce generally comfortable with their work/life balance who feel well rewarded for the work they do. Overall, 57% of working Britons agree with the statement “I have a good work/life balance”, while only 18% disagree. The only group more likely to disagree with this statement are 18-24s, who may still be adjusting to the demands of a post-education life. Part-time workers are particularly likely to agree with the statement (68%), but 53% of full-time workers also agree. Working Britons are also twice as likely to agree (52%) as disagree (26%) with the statement “I earn a fair wage for the job I do.” Again, 18-24s are the only demographic more likely to disagree with this statement (45%) than agree (36%). Workers in all regions are more likely to agree, but the gap between the two camps is closest in the west Midlands (39% agree, 33% disagree).

Working Britons are more likely to reject the idea that “my working hours are longer than they have ever been”, although one in three does agree. However, there is a clear age split; 47% of workers aged 18-34 agree they have never worked longer hours, while 33% disagree. In contrast, only 27% of workers aged 35+ agree and 46% disagree. There’s certainly no indication that working Britons are desperate to reduce their working hours. Indeed, given a choice between more free time or more money, working Britons are significantly more likely to choose more money (38% more time, 62% more money).

Younger workers (18-24) are most likely to be struggling to balance work and life, but this group are also the most concerned about their finances. As a result, they are the group most likely to opt to work the same hours for more money, given the choice (78%). In contrast, Britons aged 55+, who are generally more financially secure, are the most likely to prioritise more free time over more money. However, even among this group 58% would opt for more money and only 42% for more free time.

If Britons did suddenly find themselves with an extra two hours per day, nearly half of us would opt to spend it with family. There is no difference between men and women in this respect, although relationship status has a predictable impact; 64% of those who are married would devote their extra time to family. 18-24s are the only group more likely to spend that time outside the family unit; they are more likely to spend time with friends (28%) or by themselves (25%) than with family (22%). Only 8% of Britons would spend their time windfall getting more work done.

Finances

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What do you expect the financial situation of your household will be in a year’s time?

A lot better than now = 8%

A little better than now = 25%

About the same = 49%

A little worse than now = 13%

A lot worse than now = 5%

NET: Better = 33% NET: Worse = 18%

Despite money being the biggest source of anxiety for Britons, the nation is feeling cautiously optimistic about its household finances. While the majority (47%) say their finances are “about the same” as last year, 32% have seen an improvement in that time and 41% have seen an improvement compared with five years ago. In each case the proportion reporting that they are worse off is lower (21% and 32% respectively). This may be due to the recovery finally taking hold, or simply the result of low oil prices and inflation leaving more money in the household coffers. Either way, the improvements already experienced have given impetus to a positive outlook for one in three Britons who expect that their household finances will improve over the coming year. Just over half that number (18%) predict a deterioration.

This improvement in household finances over the past year has not been evenly applied geographically, although the north-west is the only region where the number reporting a deterioration (25%) is larger than the number reporting an improvement (23%). What is noteworthy in the runup to the election is that supporters of every party are more likely to have seen an improvement in household finances over the past year, with the exception of Ukip supporters, 29% of whom say their finances have deteriorated, while just 21% say they have improved. Ukip supporters are also the most likely to predict their finances will deteriorate over the next year: 27% expect things to get worse, while 21% believe things will get better. In contrast, those intending to vote Lib Dem are most optimistic, with 44% expecting a financial improvement and just 8% expecting their household finances to get worse.

Despite high rates of youth unemployment and the previously noted financial anxiety among this age group, 18-24s are the most financially optimistic age group: 57% of 18-24s expect their household finances to improve over the next year and just 12% expect them to get worse. This may reflect youthful confidence. Alternatively, it may suggest their financial situation is dire and the only way is up.

Health

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Are you and your family members of a private healthcare scheme?

Yes, just me = 8%

Yes, just my partner = 3%

Yes, all members of the household = 10% No = 78%

Do financial concerns prevent you from taking out private healthcare?

Yes, this is the main reason I do not have private healthcare = 44%

No, I do not have private healthcare for another reason = 56%

Base: all who are not currently covered by a private healthcare scheme

Do you think that people who need medical treatment due to alcohol or drug abuse (including smoking) should pay for their own treatments?

Yes, always = 22%

Yes, sometimes = 56%

No = 22%

95% of Britons believe it is important that free healthcare remains available to all (78% “very important”, 17% “quite important”). Those intending to vote Labour in May are most likely to believe a free NHS is “very important” (84%), but a large majority of those intending to vote Conservative feel the same (72%). Older Britons are most likely to deem the NHS “very important” (86% of the 55+ age group), but 72% of 18-24s concur.

The continuing importance of the NHS reflects the fact that 78% of Britons are not currently covered by private healthcare. Indeed, those aged 55+, who are most likely to require healthcare, are the least likely to be a member of a private scheme (only 14% are). Londoners are the most likely to be covered by private healthcare (34%), while those living in Scotland are the least likely (12%). There is a predictable correlation with income; only 7% of those earning £10,000 or less per annum are covered, compared with 63% of those with an income in excess of £50,000 per annum.

Despite strong support for the continued provision of free healthcare, 78% of Britons believe that those needing medical treatment due to alcohol and drug abuse, including smoking, should be asked to pay for treatment, at least sometimes. More than one in five (22%) believe those needing treatment due to these lifestyle choices should “always” be asked to pay. There is a significant difference based on ideological outlook; 82% of those who define their political views as right wing believe these patients should be asked to pay, compared with 56% of those who define themselves as left wing.

To your knowledge, have you or someone close to you ever suffered from mental health issues?

Yes, me = 21%

Yes, someone close to me = 28%

Not sure = 9%

No = 42%

How much of a stigma do you think is attached to mental health issues in the UK?

A great deal = 30%

Some = 52%

A little = 16%

None = 2%

More than one in five Britons (21%) has suffered from mental health issues and a further 28% say that someone close to them has suffered in the same way. Young people are significantly more likely to have suffered from mental health issues, or at least to say they have done so; 32% of 18-24s have suffered, compared with just 9% of those aged 55+. As the question asks whether respondents have “ever” suffered mental health issues, this result is surprising. Is the incidence of mental health issues really increasing, as this data would suggest, or do young people set the bar lower when evaluating whether they have suffered mental health issues? Women are slightly more likely than men to have suffered (22% and 19% respectively), but significantly more likely to know someone close to them who has suffered; 33% of women and 23% of men. There is a big discrepancy in terms of political outlook; 41% of those who define themselves as left wing have suffered from mental health issues, compared with just 17% of those who define their politics as centrist and 14% who define their politics as right wing. Regionally, the incidence of mental health issues peaks in the west Midlands (35%) and north-east (33%).

Despite the high incidence of mental illness, there is still a stigma attached to the issue: 30% of Britons believe a “great deal” of stigma is attached to mental health issues and this figure rises dramatically, to 52%, among those who have personally suffered mental health issues. Only 2% of Britons do not believe that there is any stigma attached to mental health issues.

Region

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Which region of Britain do you consider to be the wealthiest?

London = 65%

South-east = 22%

South-west = 5%

East Midlands = 2%

East of England = 2%

North-east = 1%

North-west = 1%

Yorkshire and the Humber = 1%

West Midlands = 1%

Scotland = 1%

Wales = 0%

Northern Ireland = 0%

If you had the opportunity to live in another part of Britain, where would you most like to live? And where would you least like to live?

London = 15% (most like to live) | 30% (least like to live)

Northern Ireland = 2% | 14%

Scotland = 11% | 13%

North-east = 3% | 8%

Wales = 5% | 7%

West Midlands = 7% | 7%

Yorkshire and the Humber = 9% | 6%

North-west = 10% | 5%

East Midlands = 5% | 4%

South-east = 12% | 3%

South-west = 16% | 2%

East of England = 7% | 2%

There is widespread agreement that London is the wealthiest region in the country, with 65% of Britons identifying it as so. However, wealth does not correlate with quality of life in the view of most Britons; only 14% believe that quality of life is highest in London. Londoners themselves are more likely than the average to believe that quality of life is highest in their region (30%), but the remaining 70% feel that quality of life is better elsewhere in the country.

If Britons are looking for quality of life, they are most likely to identify the south-west as their destination. While only 5% identify it as the wealthiest region, 29% believe that quality of life is highest here. Residents of the region agree; 73% of those currently living in the south-west believe that quality of life is highest in their region. Their nearest competitor is Scotland, where a comparatively small 40% believe quality of life is highest in their region. At the other end of the spectrum, only 9% of those living in the west Midlands believe quality of life is highest in their region. Perceptions of quality of life have a far higher impact on where people would like to live than perceptions of wealth. As a result, London tops the rankings for the region where Britons would least like to live, while the south-west tops the rankings for the region where Britons would most like to live.

Housing

Do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

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A lack of affordable housing is one of the biggest issues affecting Britain at the moment

NET: Agree = 73% NET: Disagree = 9%

Nearly three out of four (73%) Britons believe that a lack of affordable housing is one of the biggest issues affecting the country. Predictably, agreement levels are above average in London (80%), where property prices are highest, but agreement peaks in Wales (84%) and the north-east (83%). Reflecting the importance of the issue, a majority (58%) agree that it’s important to build lots of new houses to keep pace with growing demand. Only 16% of Britons disagree. Agreement peaks among the 25-34 age group (65%) who are most likely to be at a stage in life where they want to get on the property ladder, but are excluded by prohibitively high prices.

Despite clear agreement that a shortage of housing is a serious issue and that large-scale home building schemes are important and necessary, Britons are generally unwilling to countenance the building of new homes on green-belt or brown-belt land; 37% disagree with building new homes on green-belt/brown-belt land, while only 28% agree.

Politics

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Do you think the political views of British people in general have changed over the past 10 years?

Yes, become more left wing = 12%

Yes, become more right wing = 28%

Yes, become more centrist = 25%

No, have not changed = 34%

Britons are generally distrustful of political extremes and, when defining their personal outlook on a left/right spectrum, tend to gravitate towards the centre. Only 9% of the population describe their views as either “very left wing” (6%) or “very right wing” (3%). Overall, Britons are marginally more likely to describe their personal political stance as a “left of centre” (36%) than “right of centre” (33%). However, there are some significant demographic differences. It is easy to see why Labour are keen to engage the youth vote, with eye-catching policies such as lowering the top level of tuition fees to £6,000, as 59% of 18-24s define their views as “left of centre”, while just 8% describe themselves as “right of centre”. In contrast, it is crucial that the Conservatives effectively mobilise older voters; 45% of those aged 55+ define themselves as “right of centre” and only 22% as “left of centre”. Britons in all regions are more likely to define their politics as “left of centre” than “right of centre” with the exception of the south-west, south-east, Northern Ireland and west Midlands (where left and right are tied). The regions where residents are most likely to define their politics as “left of centre” are the north-east (56%), Scotland (45%) and Yorkshire and the Humber (41%).

While Britons are more likely to define themselves as “left of centre”, there is a perception that the political views of the population as a whole are more likely to be “right of centre”; 41% of Britons consider the political views of the nation to be “right of centre”, while 26% define the nation’s views as “left of centre”. There is also a perception that the political views of Britons have become more right wing over the past decade; 28% believe this to be the case, while only 12% believe the views of the nation have become more left wing. 25% believe the nation’s views have become more centrist over the past 10 years.

Trust

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The NHS is the most trusted institution in Britain, with 65% of Britons saying they trust it and just 11% saying they distrust it (giving it a trust score of +54). Outside of the NHS, there are a number of other institutions, organisations or sectors where public trust levels are positive: universities (+38), the police (+25), the monarchy (+22), TV news programmes (+21), and the judiciary/courts (+21).



In contrast, trust in politicians is at rock bottom; 69% of the population distrust politicians, while just 9% trust them, giving politicians a trust score of -60. The government does not fare much better, with a trust score of -40. There is a predictable split along party lines here: 37% of those intending to vote Conservative in May trust the government, while 22% distrust the government. This gives likely Tory voters a government trust score of +15. Those intending to vote Lib Dem give the government a negative trust score (-6). This level of negativity is dwarfed by Labour supporters (-60) and is higher still among those intending to vote for Ukip (-65).

Other than politicians, Britons also have very low levels of trust in tabloid newspapers (-54), banks (-32), trade unions (-25) and, to a slightly lesser extent, broadsheet newspapers (-10).

Honesty

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Have you ever lied on any of the following types of form?

A job application form:

Yes = 18 %, No = 82%

A tax form:

Yes = 10%, No = 90%

An insurance form:

Yes = 9%, No = 91%

A mortgage application:

Yes = 8%, No = 92%

Britons are, by and large, an honest bunch. Confronted with a moral dilemma in which we found £200 in a wallet and were certain nobody had seen us, the large majority would either hand the wallet in to the police (69%) or leave it where it was (3%). Only 28% would keep the money for themselves. Personal circumstances have a significant impact on behaviour in this scenario. For example, a majority of the unemployed (53%) would keep the £200. A moral framework provided by religious belief is also likely to influence behaviour, with atheists more likely to keep the money than those who associate with a religion. Regionally, the worst places to lose your wallet are the north-west (where 38% would keep it) or the west Midlands (36%), while the best place to lose your wallet is the south-east where only 20% would keep it.



Britons also tend to be honest when filling out forms, although we’re most likely to bend the truth when applying for a job; 18% of Britons have lied on a job application. Britons at the top of the social ladder are by far the most likely to have lied in order to get a job; 41% of social grade A have lied on a job application. This group is also the most likely to have lied on an insurance form (33%), a tax form (32%) and a mortgage application (30%). Based on this data, levels of dishonesty among those at the very top of the social spectrum are significantly higher than lower down the social ladder, even compared with the next social grade (B). However, you may still expect this group, as the wealthiest, to be most likely to hand in the wallet they found on the street. In fact, 27% would keep it, in line with the national average.

Religion

Which of the following religions or belief systems, if any, do you associate with?

Church of England = 33%

Catholicism = 10%

Other Christian = 9%

Islam = 3%

Hinduism = 2%

Judaism = 1%

Other religion = 3%

Agnosticism = 17%

Atheism = 21%

Do you actively practise your religion, eg you attend regular religious services?

Yes = 29%

No = 71%

Base: all who associate with a religion

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Britain is a largely secular country with only 18% actively practising a religion and one in five (21%) describing themselves as atheist. A further 17% describe themselves as agnostic. Only one in three Britons (33%) associates with the Church of England. Among this group only 18% actively practise their religion. This equates to just 6% of the nation. In total, 61% of Britons associate with a religion but it is only a minority of that group (29%) who actively practise their religion. Muslims are most likely to actively practise their religion (59%).



There are big differences on the basis of ideological outlook. Those who self-define as left wing are significantly less likely to associate with a religion than those who define their outlook as right wing (49% and 71% respectively). However, while 65% of leftwingers who associate with a religion actively practise it, the same is true for just 33% of rightwingers and 26% of centrists.

A majority of Britons (82%) do not actively practise a religion and a clear majority of the population (61%) agree with that “These days religion is a negative influence in the world rather than a force for good.” Unsurprisingly, those who associate with a religion are less likely to hold this view.￼￼

Europe

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If a referendum were held on the UK’s membership of the EU with the options being to remain a member or withdraw, how do you think you would vote?

Would definitely vote to leave the EU = 28%

Would probably vote to leave the EU = 18%

Would probably vote to remain in the EU = 20%

Would definitely vote to remain in the EU = 18%

Don’t know = 17%

To what extent do you consider yourself to be European?

It is a large part of who I am = 13%

It is a small part of who I am = 26%

It doesn’t really describe who I am = 27%

It does not describe who I am at all = 34%

Do you speak any European languages fluently (other than the one/s you class as your mother-tongue)?

Yes 19%

No 81%

76% of Britons believe there should be a referendum on whether the UK remains a member of the EU (47% “definitely”, 29% “probably”). There are predictable splits along party lines; 84% of Ukip supporters say there should “definitely” be a referendum while 11% believe there should “probably” be one. The motivations of the remaining 5% are unclear. Age also has an influence on outlook; only 11% of 18-24s believe there should “definitely” be a referendum, compared with 55% of those aged 55+.

As things stand, Britain would vote to leave the EU if a referendum were held; 46% would either “definitely” (28%) or “probably” (18%) vote to leave, while 38% would “definitely” (20%) or “probably” (18%) vote to remain. Again, there is a clear division on the basis of age; 68% of 18-24s would vote to stay in the EU, while only 9% would vote to leave. Among those aged 55+ the pattern is reversed and 57% would vote to leave while 35% would vote to stay. Londoners are the least likely to vote to leave the EU (36%), while those in the north-east would be the most likely to vote to leave (60%).

Given this hostility to the EU, it is unsurprising that only a minority of Britons think of themselves as European; 13% say it is “a large part of who I am”, while a further 26% say it is “a small part of who I am”. The term “European” is not important to the self-identity of 61% of Britons.

The lack of association with all things European is reflected by the large proportion of Britons (81%) who do not speak another European language fluently. The 19% who do speak another European language are significantly more likely than the average to say that being European is a “large part” of their identity (39% versus 13%) and much more likely to vote to remain part of the EU in any future referendum (49% versus 38%).￼￼

Immigration

Approximately what percentage of people currently living in the UK do you think were born outside the UK and later moved here (ie are immigrants)?

0-10% = 11%

11-20% = 24%

21-30% = 23%

30-40% = 18%

41-50% = 8%

51-60% = 6%

61-70% = 5%

71-80% = 3%

81-90% = 2%

91-100% = 1%

Would you characterise the area in which you currently live as racially diverse?

Yes, very much = 19%

Yes, somewhat = 28%

No, not really = 36%

No, not at all = 17%

NET: Yes = 47%

NET: No = 53%

To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements?

Immigrants coming to this country should embrace the British way of life rather than hold on to the lifestyle they had at home:

Strongly agree = 48%

Somewhat agree = 30%

Neither agree nor disagree= 14%

Somewhat disagree = 5%

Strongly disagree = 2%

NET: Agree = 78%

NET: Disagree = 8%

Britain has benefited in many ways from becoming a multicultural society:

Strongly agree = 16%

Somewhat agree = 28%

Neither agree nor disagree= 24%

Somewhat disagree = 17%

Strongly disagree = 15%

NET: Agree = 44%

NET: Disagree = 32%

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Would you say that immigration has a generally positive or negative impact on each of the following?

Culture – NET: Positive impact = 38% NET: Negative impact = 38%

Economy – Positive = 37% Negative = 36%

Jobs – Positive = 23% Negative = 52%

Social values – Positive = 23% Negative = 52%

Education – Positive = 21% Negative = 46%

Health/NHS – Positive = 21% Negative = 57%

The population level in the UK – Positive = 17% Negative = 65%

Housing – Positive = 12% Negative = 70%

Welfare/benefits – Positive = 12% Negative = 66%

Crime – Positive = 11% Negative = 60%

Based on the 2011 UK census, 13% of the population were born outside the UK before moving to this country. In light of recently released net migration figures, this figure is likely to have increased somewhat over the past four years. However, Britons estimate the proportion of immigrants within the population to be 31%, more than double the actual figure. 17% of Britons believe that more than half the current population are immigrants. There is no significant difference in these estimates based on the party Britons are likely to support at the next election. Indeed, potential Ukip voters are marginally less likely to over-estimate the size of the immigrant population (average estimate = 31%) than potential Labour voters (32%).

Nearly half of Britons (47%) characterise the area in which they live as racially diverse, although only one in five (19%) says their area is “very” racially diverse. Londoners are most likely to define their area as racially diverse (78%) followed by those living in the west Midlands (71%). The areas least likely to be described as racially diverse by residents are Northern Ireland (22%), the south-west (23%) and Scotland (28%). Potential Labour voters are most likely to live in racially diverse areas (55%), while potential Ukip voters are the least likely (41%).

Nearly one in three Britons (30%) has a close personal friend who is an immigrant. Unsurprisingly, those living in London are most likely to have immigrant friends (45%), while those living in Wales are the least likely (19%). Although the majority do not have immigrant friends there is cautious agreement with the view that Britain has benefited from becoming a multicultural society; 44% agree with this view, 32% disagree and the remainder are unsure. In London, where the immigrant population is largest, there is most agreement with the view (59%). Younger Britons aged 18-24 are the most likely to believe the country has benefited from multiculturalism (64%), while older Britons are more likely to disagree with the view (35% of those aged 55+ agree and 42% disagree).

At a topline level, Britons are more likely to agree than disagree that the country has benefited from becoming a multicultural society. However, the picture becomes muddier when asked to evaluate the impact of immigration on specific elements of British life. We have created an impact score by subtracting the number who believe the impact of immigration has been negative from the number who believe it has been positive. Using this score there are only two areas where the net impact of immigration is considered to be either positive or neutral; the economy (+1) and culture (0). However, there are a number of areas where Britons believe the net impact of immigration has been negative, often strongly so: housing (-58), welfare/benefits (-54), crime (-49), population levels (-48), health/NHS (-36), jobs (-29), social values (-29) and education (-25).

With immigration on the rise, maintaining positive race relations is crucial, and the negative impact scores suggest there are underlying resentments. A large majority (78%) of Britons believe that immigrants coming to this country should embrace the British way of life rather than hold on to the lifestyle they had at home. This may become an increasingly important issue if we are to avoid the exploitation of existing resentments.

￼Multiculturalism

Thinking generally about race relations in Britain now compared with five years ago, do you think they are better than five years ago, worse, or about the same?

A lot better than they were five years ago = 4%

A little better = 17%

About the same = 33%

A little worse = 27%

A lot worse than five years ago = 20%

NET: Better = 21% NET: Worse = 47%

Following recent events involving Islamist extremists, do you believe British Muslims should make a special effort to state their allegiance to Britain or not?

Yes, definitely = 48%

Yes, probably = 31%

No, probably not = 13%

No, definitely not = 9%

NET: Yes = 79% NET: No = 22%

Have you ever personally encountered racism in Britain in the workplace?

Several times a day = 12%

Once a day = 2%

Several times a week = 2%

Once a week = 10%

Several times a month = 5%

Once a month = 3%

Less often than once a month = 15%

Never = 52%

NET: Once a week or more = 25%

Base: all from ethnic-minority backgrounds

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Nearly half of Britons (47%) believe that race relations have worsened over the past five years. In contrast, only one in five (21%) believes they have improved over that timeframe. All ethnic and religious groups are more likely to believe that race relations have deteriorated over the past five years, with the exception of Asians who are marginally more likely to think they have got better (37%) than worse (34%). The white British population are the most likely to believe that race relations have got worse (48%). Those living in areas that are not ethnically diverse are more likely than those who do live in ethnically diverse areas to believe that race relations have worsened (51% and 43% respectively). However, while those living in ethnically diverse areas are less likely than the average to take a pessimistic view, they are still more likely to believe things have got worse (43%) than better (29%).

Whether it is a result of deteriorating race relations is unclear, but our poll results suggest that a significant proportion of ethnic minority Britons experience racism on a regular basis; 75% of ethnic minority Britons have experienced racism in the street and nearly half (48%) have experienced it in the workplace. While this happens infrequently for the majority, 22% of ethnic minority Britons say they encounter racism in the street once a week or more, and 25% are subjected to racism in the workplace at the same level of frequency.

Bearing in mind recent events linked to Islamist extremism, a large majority (79%) believe that British Muslims should make a special effort to state their allegiance to Britain. This view is commonly held across all demographic and regional groups. The only group who believe that a special effort is not required are Muslims themselves, 52% of whom disagree with the idea. However, our Muslim sample is relatively small.

Issues

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Britons are worried; on average we worry about eight of the prompted issues not directly linked to our personal lives. The top three are the NHS (59% are worried), terrorism (58%) and immigration (53%). However, there are big variations based on which political party we support. Conservative supporters are most likely to be worried about terrorism (70%), while Ukip supporters are most worried about immigration (81%). In contrast, Labour supporters are most worried about the NHS (67%) and Lib Dem supporters are most worried about the economy (63%).

There are other variations. Women are most likely to be worried about the NHS (67%), while men are most worried about immigration (55%). Women are just generally more worried than men; they worry about an average of nine of these issues compared with seven among men. 18-24s are most likely to worry about house prices (69%), 25-34s and 35-54s are both most likely to worry about the NHS (47% and 60% respectively), while Britons aged 55+ are most likely to worry about terrorism (70%).

Britain today

￼On a scale of 1-5 where 5 means “strongly associate” and 1 means “do not associate at all”, to what extent do you associate each of the following terms with Britain in the year 2015?

Technological = 64% associate

Proud = 60%

Friendly = 57%

Cultured = 56%

Innovative = 54%

Fair = 53%

Pretty = 45%

Strong = 44%

Eccentric = 39%

Depressing = 36%

Old-fashioned = 35%

Thuggish = 31%

Narrow-minded = 29%

Cut off = 21%

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How often do you tend to personally experience sexism in the UK?

In the workplace: once a week or more = 17%

In the street: once a week or more = 13%

Elsewhere: once a week or more = 13%

Base: all women

Britons generally have a positive attitude towards their country. Provided with a list of positive and negative adjectives and asked to indicate which they associate with the country in 2015, Britons are far more likely to associate the positive words than the negative. The words we are most likely to associate with Britain are: technological (64% associate), proud (60%), friendly (57%), cultured (56%), innovative (54%) and fair (53%). In contrast, the terms we are least likely to associate with Britain are: cut off (21%), narrow-minded (29%), thuggish (31%), old-fashioned (35%) and depressing (36%).

Despite this positive view, the poll does not suggest a nation at peace with itself. For example, nearly two out of three (65%) agree that Islamophobia is common in Britain now (and 46% of Muslims say they regularly encounter racism in the workplace, and 43% in the street). Bearing in mind the previously noted deterioration in race relations, this finding may not be surprising. It is, however, more startling that in 2015, 57% of the population believe that class prejudice is common. Perceptions of class prejudice are high across the social spectrum but peak at opposite ends; 66% of social grade A (the highest grade) agree that class prejudice is common, and 62% of social grade E (the lowest grade) concur. This suggests that class prejudice is not simply directed downwards.

In addition, 56% believe that racism is common, 40% that homophobia is common and 43% that sexism is common. When it comes to perceptions of sexism there is a depressingly predictable gender divide; 51% of women believe it is common compared with 35% of men. It’s not simply a majority of women who believe sexism is common, a very high proportion have first-hand experience of it; 47% of British women have encountered sexism in the street and for 13% this is a weekly occurrence. Furthermore, 39% of women have been victims of sexism in the workplace and for 17% this is a weekly occurrence. Women aged 18-34 are most likely to encounter regular sexism, with 30% facing it weekly in the workplace and 24% in the street.￼

Social networking sites

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Phil Partridge/GNM imaging

How frequently do you look at (any) social networks?

Several times a day = 37%

A few times a day = 22%

Once a day = 17%

2-3 times per week = 9%

Once a week = 5%

Once every couple of weeks = 3%

Once a month = 2%

Less often = 5%

Base: all who have used social networking sites in the past six months

￼￼￼Britons are very heavy users of social networking sites: 83% used at least one network within the past six months, and among that group 76% visit them at least once a day. Women (87%) are more likely to use social networks than men (78%), but usage rates are high across the board. Even 69% of those aged 55+ are active users of social network sites, while, at the younger end of the spectrum, 100% of 18-24s we spoke to had used social networks in the past six months.

Facebook is the dominant social site, with 73% of Britons using it in the past six months. Some have suggested that the very ubiquity of Facebook is off-putting to younger users, keen to avoid sites also used by their parents. This may be true, but it hasn’t caused outright rejection; 94% of 18-24s have used Facebook in the past six months. While Britons across the age spectrum use Facebook, some sites are used almost exclusively by younger people. Examples are Snapchat (used by 58% of 18-24s) and Instagram (47%). Generally there is little difference between genders and their use of social sites. However, women (79%) are significantly more likely than men (65%) to use Facebook. Other heavily used sites among Britons are YouTube (45%) and Twitter (33%). Twitter is particularly popular among those at the top end of the social spectrum; 51% of those in social grade A are users.

Frequency of usage suggests a nation in love with social media but there are suggestions the relationship is not entirely harmonious; 54% of us agree that social media has put pressure on society to be constantly doing things or going places. We may expect to see this pressure felt most keenly by the young, but rates of agreement are flat across the age spectrum.

Methodology

Opinium Research conducted 1,019 interviews earlier this year. The results of the poll have been weighted to reflect the demographic profile of all Britons aged 18+.