Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Key issues in Britain as country goes to elections on 4 July

Voters in Britain are expected to decide on key issues including the economy, healthcare, immigration, and climate policy as they choose the next government.

Key issues in Britain as country goes to elections on 4 July

Prime minister Rishi Sunak has called for a national election on 4 July, ending 14 years of Conservative Party rule.

Voters are expected to decide on key issues including the economy, healthcare, immigration, and climate policy as they choose the next government.


High inflation, a struggling NHS, immigration concerns, and the challenge of meeting climate goals are major topics in the election. These issues might influence voter decisions as Britain heads to the polls.

Here are details of some of the key issues facing Britain as it decides its next government:

ECONOMY

Over two years of high inflation have significantly impacted voters' living standards. Although wages are now rising faster than prices, living standards are expected to be lower than they were during the last election in 2019.

The economy saw growth in early 2024 after a brief recession in the latter half of 2023. However, weak investment, slow productivity growth, and a worker shortage are hampering the outlook, with no rapid improvement forecasted.

Slow economic growth and high public debt restrict the potential for increased government spending, already strained by inflation increasing the cost of public services.

Higher interest rates have also raised the cost of servicing the debt incurred to protect the economy during COVID-19 and the 2022 energy price spike.

HEALTH

Many British voters value the National Health Service (NHS) but feel it is not meeting their needs.

Britain spends about 142 billion pounds (£142 billion) annually on the NHS, which must cover an ageing population with rising medical costs.

Strikes by doctors and nurses, staff shortages in some sectors, and a backlog from the coronavirus pandemic have resulted in long waiting lists for basic procedures and consultations.

Health issues are also keeping working-age people out of the labour market, adding upward pressure on inflation.

IMMIGRATION

Immigration has been a central issue in British politics for over a decade. A February poll by Ipsos showed 37% of voters cited it as a very important factor in their voting decision, making it the fourth most-chosen response.

Concerns about immigration numbers contributed to the 2016 Brexit vote and drive the government's current efforts to deter migrants crossing in small boats by proposing to send them to Rwanda upon arrival.

A March study by the National Centre for Social Research showed 65% of people believe the government should do more to prevent illegal immigration. However, the same study indicated that more people view immigration positively than negatively.

CLIMATE

Britain has committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and the government is legally required to have a credible plan to reach this target.

However, the costs of adhering to this target, particularly when passed to consumers through higher energy bills and other expenses, have caused some voters to oppose the net zero goal.

While polls indicate public support for the net zero target, there is resistance when policies to implement it are seen as unfairly distributing costs. Sunak's government has already relaxed some unpopular policies.

More For You

british-muslims-iStock

The study noted that this identification was not due to any doctrinal obligation but was influenced by the perception that many Muslims do not feel fully accepted as British. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Majority of British Muslims identify by faith first, study finds

A STUDY by the Institute for the Impact of Faith in Life (IIFL) has found that most British Muslims identify primarily with their religion rather than their nationality.

The research, based on a survey of 815 British Muslim adults by Whitestone Insight, revealed that 71 per cent of respondents identified as Muslim first, while 27 per cent identified as British, English, or Scottish first.

Keep ReadingShow less
Car Tax Changes: EV Owners Now Required to Pay for the First Time

Owners of electric vehicles registered on or after 1 April 2025 will pay £10 for the first year, followed by the standard VED rate of £195 from the second year. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Car tax changes take effect: EV owners to pay for first time

FROM today, 1 April 2025, electric cars, vans, and motorcycles in the UK will be subject to Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) for the first time.

The change, introduced in the 2022 Autumn Statement by former Conservative Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, aims to make motoring taxation fairer.

Keep ReadingShow less
scotland-minimum-wages-iStock

Full-time workers on the National Living Wage will receive an annual pay increase of £1,400 in real terms. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Wage increase takes effect for thousands of workers in Scotland

HUNDREDS of thousands of workers in Scotland will see a pay increase as new National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates take effect from Tuesday.

The changes will benefit approximately 220,000 people, according to STV News.

Keep ReadingShow less
uk-energy-bill-iStock

Water bills, energy prices, and council tax are rising, while the minimum wage has also increased (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

April bill increases put financial strain on single parents

A RANGE of essential household bills are increasing from April, with Citizens Advice warning that single parents will be among the hardest hit.

Water bills, energy prices, and council tax are rising, while the minimum wage has also increased, BBC reported.

Keep ReadingShow less
Netflix drama Adolescence to be screened in UK schools
Stephen Graham and Owen Cooper in 'Adolescence'
Netflix

Netflix drama Adolescence to be screened in UK schools

THE NETFLIX drama Adolescence will be shown in UK secondary schools as part of efforts to address harmful online influences on young boys, officials announced on Monday.

The show has sparked debate over the impact of toxic and misogynistic content on the internet. Prime minister Keir Starmer met the show's creators, charities, and young people at Downing Street, calling the initiative an important step in starting discussions about the content teenagers are exposed to online.

Keep ReadingShow less