Public opinion on integration and immigration - how does Britain compare? Bobby Duffy Head of International Social Trends Unit February 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 Finland Portugal Sweden Denmark Greece Belgium Spain The Netherlands The UK Italy Ireland Germany Base: European Social Survey 2002/03 % agreeing

5 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 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 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 Most worrying issues nationally – Immigration control Germany Most cause for concern Spain France United Kingdom Italy USA QWhich 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 country Source: 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 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 2005Base: c.1,000 interviews in each country

11 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? 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? Actual level Average estimate

14 Issues Facing Britain: Long Term Trends QWhat 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 Base: c2,000 respondents 2003 QTo 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 agree Don’t know Tend to agree Definitely disagree Asylum-seekers20 New immigrants19 Lone parents8 Who is getting priority? % Fairness – or is it “free-rider phobia”? AGREE ABC1 = 37% C2DE = 52%

17 Views on immigration laws C2 C1 AB Base: 975 British adults Source: Ipsos MORI, Aug 2006 DE Labour Conservative Liberal Democrat % Agree laws on immigration should be much tougher/immigration should be stopped altogether

18 Views on immigration laws C2 C1 AB % Agree laws on immigration should be much tougher/immigration should be stopped altogether Base: 975 British adults Source: Ipsos MORI, Aug 2006 DE Labour Conservative Liberal Democrat

19 Profile of core BNP/NF supporters Work full-time Male E C2 C1 AB D Source: MORI aggregate data, c100,000 interviews, Council/RSL Mortgage Own outright Private rent National 49% 19% 10% 29% 24% 27% 21% 17% 45% 43% 7%

20 But pessimism a defining characteristic of BNP/NF supporters… All GB BNP/NF supporters Source: MORI aggregate data, c100,000 interviews, % Believe that economic condition of country will get worse in next 12 months

21 But pessimism a defining characteristic of BNP/NF supporters… All GB BNP/NF supporters Source: MORI aggregate data, c100,000 interviews, % Believe that economic condition of country will get worse in next 12 months

22 Race relations / immigration 1.81 Read the Daily Mail 1.32 Owner-occupier 1.29 Vote Conservative 1.65 Read the Daily Express 1.65 Read the Sun 1.16 Work Full-time More likely to see as key issue 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 Unit February 2007