Migration and Public Opinion

Migration has become a hotly contested political issue. What do members of the British public think about migration? Where is there agreement, and where disagreement? And why? This topic includes data from polls and surveys, and further discussion of the roots of public opinion and its impact on policy.

  1. Public Opinion and Public Policy: Complexities of the Democratic Mandate
    Policy primer
    24 May 2013
    This policy primer examines the relationship between public opinion and migration policy, with a particular focus on the idea of a democratic mandate for reducing the number of immigrants to the UK.
  2. UK Public Opinion toward Immigration: Overall Attitudes and Level of Concern
    Briefing
    23 Feb 2012
    This briefing provides an overview of attitudes toward immigration in Britain. The discussion focuses on two basic questions: whether or not people favour or oppose immigration to the UK, and how...
  3. The other half of the story: Oxford University study uncovers Britain’s real views on immigration
    Press release
    16 Oct 2011
  4. UK Public Opinion toward Migration: Determinants of Attitudes
    Briefing
    27 May 2011
    This briefing examines what determines people’s attitudes toward migration in the UK. It investigates factors associated with greater or lesser opposition to migration, and begins to address the...
  5. Interview with Dr Scott Blinder about public attitudes to immigration in Britain
    Observatory in the news
    4 Feb 2011

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