Most important issues facing Britain 2019-2021

In September 2021, 50 percent of British people thought that health was one of the top three issues facing the country, compared with 37 percent who thought that the economy was one of the top three issues. The third biggest issue in this month was that of the environment, selected by 34 percent of respondents.

COVID-19 the top issue in 2020

In April 2020, almost three quarters of people surveyed advised that health was one of the most important issues facing the country. It was during this month that the first wave of the Coronavirus pandemic was at it's height, with almost 12 thousand excess deaths a week occurring in two weeks in the middle of April. As the health crisis gradually improved, the economic impact of Coronavirus quickly became the more pressing issue,and was seen as the main issue by respondents to this survey in September 2020.

Brexit gradually fades from view

At the height of concern over Brexit in September 2019, around 71 percent of British adults thought it was one of the main issues facing the country. While it remained an important issue, it is clear that following the UK's official exit from the European Union on January 31, 2020, that it receded to the background, especially after the arrival of the Coronavirus pandemic. Towards the end of 2020 however, the issue started to grow in importance, due to the difficult trade negotiations between the UK and the EU, which almost broke down at the last minute.