Noise and nuance: What the public really thinks about immigration
Think tank: British Future
Author(s): Sunder Katwala; Steve Ballinger; Heather Rolfe
November 26, 2025
This report from UK think tank British Future explores what the public really thinks about immigration.
The British Future/Ipsos Immigration Attitudes Tracker has followed public attitudes to immigration for a decade since 2015. Research for this 18th wave of the tracker surveyed 3,003 adults across Great Britain, from 16 June to 2 July 2025.
The report covers the following topics: Public perceptions of immigration: do people think net migration will fall or increase? Which flows do people think make up most immigration to the UK?
Public satisfaction with the government’s handling of immigration. Public trust in the main political parties on immigration, and trust in leading politicians on the issue. Differences in attitudes between Labour, Conservative, Lib Dem and Reform UK voters and what that means for the politics of immigration.
Do people want immigration numbers to reduce, increase or stay the same? Attitudes to migration to fill different roles: would people cut the numbers of doctors, care workers, lorry drivers or hospitality staff coming to the UK?
Attitudes to asylum, channel crossings and legal routes. Attitudes to settlement and how long migrants should have to wait before they can access Indefinite Leave to Remain and citizenship.
