Our July poll of the UK public preceding Andy Burnham’s coronation as Labour leader plainly laid out what the public wants Burnham to prioritise as the new Prime Minister. When asked which three issues are the most important facing the country, 62% name the cost of living, ahead of immigration (44%) and health and the NHS (41%). Not only did almost six in 10 rank cost of living as one of the three most important issues, but three in ten ranked it as the number one issue affecting the country (29%).

On top of this, when asked which three issues have the most personal impact on them, the cost of living pulls even further clear at 70%, with the NHS second on 41% and immigration falling to fourth on 25%.

A further, seven in 10 agreed that the next PM should clean up British politics to restore the public’s trust in the political system. These findings arose from a survey conducted by Survation from 7th to 9th July of 2,058 UK adults on behalf of 38 Degrees and Good Morning Britain. V iew the segment aired on Good Morning Britain covering the poll here.

Cost of living is one of the few mainstay issues for the public; it was named as a top-three national issue by voters from across the political spectrum, from 62% of prospective Labour voters and 64% of Green voters to 59% of Conservative voters and 61% of Reform voters. There was a minor difference between higher and lower socioeconomic groups (SEGs): 59% of those in higher SEGs ranked cost of living first compared to 65% of the lower SEG.

Even more respondents (70%) said that the cost of living is one of the three issues having the most personal impact. This proportion generally increased as age increased, shown by 57% of 18-24 year olds, 70% of 35-44 year olds, and 78% of 55-64 selecting cost of living. The gap between higher and lower socioeconomic groups widened only slightly as a personal issue from 6% to 8% (67% of the higher SEG and 75% of the lower SEG) when compared to cost of living asked about as a national issue, demonstrating how collective of a challenge it is. This is clearly reflected in how 57% of the public want Burnham to prioritise the cost of living, which is 13% more than the proportion who want immigration prioritised and 17% more than health & the NHS. 

Some of Burnham’s immediate priorities may look as though they are elsewhere to the public. When asked, only 14% of respondents ranked creating No. 10 North and empowering regional mayors in their top three most important potential policies. However, policies which can reduce financial pressure on households, such as nationalising the water sector (33%), or improve health, such as guaranteeing everyone an NHS dentist appointment (37%) were ranked by many more as the most important potential policies of those offered. The public’s message is that these are the issues to tackle first: turning to No. 10 North before the policies that speak to them risks leaving an already disgruntled country more frustrated still.

A further priority for the public is cleaning up politics. Of those polled, 71% agreed the next Prime Minister should clean up British politics to restore public trust. It is a mood reflected in the net negative trust in all leaders of the mainstream Westminster parties.  Even more said that Britain needing “leaders prepared to shake up the system to get things done” greatly or fairly reflects their view (79%); only 13% said this does not reflect their view. 

Out of all mainstream parties, those planning to vote for Reform and Conservatives were more likely to say this (87% and 86% respectively) than future Labour (79%) and Green (78%) voters. Nevertheless, the desire for a revamp of the political system is one that is almost ubiquitous. It was ranked as a number one priority by twice those who ranked nationalising the water sector as number one (53% vs 27%) – this was despite 57% believing water companies should be brought into public ownership, compared to 29% who think these companies should remain privately owned. It was also ranked first by more than twice as many individuals than the other issue presented, strengthening legal protections for nature and wildlife (20%). 

Burnham inherits a public that trusts neither him nor the system he is about to lead. But the public has been clear, and unusually united, about what it wants. Easing the cost of living and cleaning up politics are shared ground and not left or right demands. Cost of living is the top issue nationally and personally across Labour, Green, Conservative and Reform voters alike, and seven in ten want the next Prime Minister to restore trust in the system, with agreement barely moving across party divides. 

For a leader taking office with little goodwill to spend, that is the opening. An agenda built on household finances and a cleaner politics could be one of the few that has universal appeal, and delivering it could be how the lost trust gets won back.

________________________________________

Get the data

Survation conducted an online poll of 2,058 adults aged 18+ in the UK on their opinions towards national issues and Andy Burnham on behalf of 38 Degrees and Good Morning Britain between the 7th –9th July 2026. Tables are available here.

________________________________________

If you are interested in commissioning a poll or to learn more about Survation’s research capabilities, please contact John Gibb on 020 3818 9661, email researchteam@survation.com or visit our services page.

For press enquiries, please call 0203 818 9661 or email media@survation.com

Survation. is an MRS company partner, a member of the British Polling Council and abides by their rules. To find out more about Survation’s services, and how you can conduct a telephone or online poll for your research needs, please visit our services page.