Public opinion on integration and immigration - how does Britain compare?

Bobby Duffy Head of International Social Trends UnitFebruary 2007

2

I believe Britishness is defined not on ethnic and exclusive grounds but through shared values, our history of tolerance, openness and internationalism...

David Blunkett 2005

Britain - tolerant and open?

We are a nation comfortable with the open world of today… our tolerance is part of what makes Britain, Britain.

Tony Blair 2006

3

In lots of ways we are…

4

Wish to live in an area where almost nobody is of a different race, colour or ethnic group from most

people living in this country

44%

42%

39%

37%

34%

32%

32%

31%

27%

25%

22%

20%

Finland

Portugal

Sweden

Denmark

Greece

Belgium

Spain

The Netherlands

The UK

Italy

Ireland

Germany

Base: European Social Survey 2002/03

% agreeing

5

78%

66%

54%

51%

43%

37%

37%

33%

33%

29%

29%

29%

17%

Netherlands

Germany

France

Canada

Spain

Banning head scarves

United States

Russia

Poland

Great Britain

India

% thinking that banning the wearing of head scarves by Muslim women is a good idea

Lebanon

Turkey

Pakistan

Source: Pew Survey 2005 GB data from April/May

6

51%

50%

47%

43%

37%

36%

34%

30%

26%

22%

14%

Netherlands

Germany

France

Canada

Spain

Views of Muslims

United States

Russia

Poland

Great Britain

Source: Pew Survey GB data from April/May 2005

China

India

% UNFAVOURABLE view of Muslims

7

But that all changes when it comes to

immigration…

8

31%

25%

24%

23%

22%

21%

20%

17%

14%

11%

11%

10%

Finland

Portugal

Sweden

Denmark

Greece

‘Strongly agree’ that people who come and live here should be given the same rights as everybody else

Belgium

Spain

The Netherlands The UK

Italy

Ireland

Germany

Base: European Social Survey 2002/03

% strongly agreeing

9

44%

42%

23%

19%

18%

11%

24%

Most worrying issues nationally – Immigration control

Germany

Most cause for concern

Spain

France

United Kingdom

Italy

USA

Q Which three of the following eleven topics do you find the most worrying in your country? – Immigration control

Total

Base: c.1,000 interviews in each countrySource: Ipsos MORI International Social Trends Monitor, Nov 2006

10

Q: Please tell me whether you are confident in the current government, or not, when it comes to … promoting the integration of foreign populations into your country’s society

45%

37%

34%

34%

32%

25%

34%

Confidence in government to promote the integration of foreigners into society

Spain

France

Germany

The US

Italy

Great Britain

G6 average

% Confident

Source: Ipsos Global Consumers and Citizens Monitor, November 2005 Base: c.1,000 interviews in each country

11

81%

80%

70%

64%

62%

61%

60%

56%

47%

47%

29%

15%Finland

Portugal

Sweden

Denmark

Greece

‘Far many more people’ come to live in this country compared to other European countries of

about the same size

Belgium

Spain

The Netherlands

The UK

Italy

Ireland

Germany

Base: European Social Survey 2002/03

% agreeing

12

Based on huge overestimate of numbers…

Base: All GB adults aged 16+ (822)

Q What proportion of GB residents are immigrants?

6%

26%

Actual level

Average estimate

CHECK KULLY?

13

Based on huge overestimate of numbers…

Base: All GB adults aged 16+ (822)

Q What proportion of GB residents are immigrants?

6%

26%

Actual level

Average estimate

14

0

10

20

30

40

50

Issues Facing Britain: Long Term Trends

Q What do you see as the main/other important issues facing Britain today?

Base: c. 1,000 British adults 18+

Race relations/ Immigration

No significant variation by class/income – across Europe

15

Offends our sense of fairness?

16

23%

18%

14%

23%

22%

Base: c2,000 respondents 2003

Q To what extent do you agree or disagree that other people seem to get unfair priority over you when it comes to public services and state benefits?

Tend to disagree

Definitely agreeDon’t know

Tend to agree

Definitely disagree

Asylum-seekers 20New immigrants 19Lone parents 8

Who is getting priority?

%

Fairness – or is it “free-rider phobia”?

AGREE

ABC1 = 37%

C2DE = 52%

17

63%

71%

88%

83%

90%

68%

56%

Views on immigration laws

C2

C1

AB

Base: 975 British adultsSource: Ipsos MORI, Aug 2006

DE

Labour

Conservative

Liberal Democrat

% Agree laws on immigration should be much tougher/immigration should be stopped altogether

18

63%

71%

88%

83%

90%

68%

56%

Views on immigration laws

C2

C1

AB

% Agree laws on immigration should be much tougher/immigration should be stopped altogether

Base: 975 British adultsSource: Ipsos MORI, Aug 2006

DE

Labour

Conservative

Liberal Democrat

19

72%

14%16%

34%23%

13%

53%

27%42%

22%8%

Profile of core BNP/NF supporters

Work full-time

Male

E

C2C1AB

D

Source: MORI aggregate data, c100,000 interviews, 2002-2004

Council/RSL

MortgageOwn outright

Private rent

National49%

19%

10%

29%

24%27%

21%17%

45%

43%

7%

20

45%

72%

But pessimism a defining characteristic of BNP/NF supporters…

All GB

BNP/NF supporters

Source: MORI aggregate data, c100,000 interviews, 2002-2004

% Believe that economic condition of country will get worse in next 12 months

21

45%

72%

But pessimism a defining characteristic of BNP/NF supporters…

All GB

BNP/NF supporters

Source: MORI aggregate data, c100,000 interviews, 2002-2004

% Believe that economic condition of country will get worse in next 12 months

22

Race relations / immigration

1.81Read the Daily Mail

1.32Owner-occupier

1.29

Vote Conservative

1.65Read the Daily Express

1.65Read the Sun

1.16

Work Full-time

More likely to see as key issue

0.59

0.58

0.75

0.75

Satisfied with the Government

Read the Guardian

Satisfied with Kennedy

Social Classes AB

Less likely to see as key issue

Key drivers of people saying race/immigration is key issue facing Britain

This time we CAN blame the media… a bit

Thank you

Bobby Duffy Head of International Social Trends Unitbobby.duffy@ipsos-mori.com February 2007