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

1
Public opinion on integration and immigration -
how does Britain compare?

• Bobby Duffy
• Head of International Social Trends Unit
• February 2007

2
Britain - tolerant and open?
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
We are a nation comfortable with the open world
of today our tolerance is part of what makes
Britain, Britain. Tony Blair 2006
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In lots of ways we are
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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
5
Banning head scarves
thinking that banning the wearing of head
scarves by Muslim women is a good idea
France
India
Germany
Netherlands
Spain
Poland
Canada
Russia
United States
Lebanon
Great Britain
Turkey
Pakistan
Source Pew Survey 2005 GB data from April/May
6
Views of Muslims
UNFAVOURABLE view of Muslims
Netherlands
China
Germany
India
Spain
Russia
France
Poland
Canada
United States
Great Britain
Source Pew Survey GB data from April/May 2005
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But that all changes when it comes to immigration
8
Strongly agree that people who come and live
here should be given the same rights as everybody
else
strongly agreeing
Finland
Portugal
Greece
Spain
Sweden
Italy
Denmark
Belgium
Ireland
The Netherlands
The UK
Germany
Base European Social Survey 2002/03
9
Most worrying issues nationally Immigration
control
Q Which three of the following eleven topics do
you find the most worrying in your country?
Immigration control
Most cause for concern
United Kingdom
Spain
USA
Italy
France
Germany
Total
Base c.1,000 interviews in each country
Source Ipsos MORI International Social Trends
Monitor, Nov 2006
10
Confidence in government to promote the
integration of foreigners into society
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 countrys society
Confident
Spain

France
Germany
The US
Italy
Great Britain
G6 average
Source Ipsos Global Consumers and Citizens
Monitor, November 2005
Base c.1,000 interviews in each country
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Far many more people come to live in this
country compared to other European countries of
about the same size
agreeing
The UK
Greece
Germany
Portugal
The Netherlands
Italy
Sweden
Spain
Belgium
Ireland
Denmark
Finland
Base European Social Survey 2002/03
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Based on huge overestimate of numbers
Q What proportion of GB residents are immigrants?
Actual level
CHECK KULLY?
Average estimate
Base All GB adults aged 16 (822)
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Based on huge overestimate of numbers
Q What proportion of GB residents are immigrants?
Actual level
Average estimate
Base All GB adults aged 16 (822)
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Issues Facing Britain Long Term Trends
Q What do you see as the main/other important
issues facing Britain today?
Race relations/ Immigration
No significant variation by class/income across
Europe
Base c. 1,000 British adults 18
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Offends our sense of fairness?
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Fairness or is it free-rider phobia?
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?
AGREE ABC1 37 C2DE 52
Dont know
Definitely agree
Definitely disagree
Tend to agree
Who is getting priority?
Asylum-seekers 20 New immigrants 19 Lone
parents 8
Tend to disagree
Base c2,000 respondents 2003
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Views on immigration laws
Agree laws on immigration should be much
tougher/immigration should be stopped altogether
AB
C1
C2
DE
Conservative
Labour
Liberal Democrat
Source Ipsos MORI, Aug 2006
Base 975 British adults
18
Views on immigration laws
Agree laws on immigration should be much
tougher/immigration should be stopped altogether
AB
C1
C2
DE
Conservative
Labour
Liberal Democrat
Source Ipsos MORI, Aug 2006
Base 975 British adults
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Profile of core BNP/NF supporters
National
49
Male


24
27
21
17
10
45
Work full-time
29
Own outright
43
Mortgage
19
Council/RSL
7
Private rent
Source MORI aggregate data, c100,000 interviews,
2002-2004
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But pessimism a defining characteristic of BNP/NF
supporters
Believe that economic condition of country will
get worse in next 12 months
All GB
BNP/NF supporters
Source MORI aggregate data, c100,000 interviews,
2002-2004
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But pessimism a defining characteristic of BNP/NF
supporters
Believe that economic condition of country will
get worse in next 12 months
All GB
BNP/NF supporters
Source MORI aggregate data, c100,000 interviews,
2002-2004
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This time we CAN blame the media a bit
Key drivers of people saying race/immigration is
key issue facing Britain
Race relations / immigration
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Thank you

• Bobby Duffy
• Head of International Social Trends Unit
• bobby.duffy_at_ipsos-mori.com
• February 2007