IMMIGRATION is now seen as the worst-handled issue under Labour, a major poll has found.
A staggering 74 per cent of Brits say the government is doing a bad job, with more than half – 52 per cent – saying it’s being handled very badly.
A group of people thought to be migrants onboard a small boat leaving the beach at Gravelines, France, attempting to reach the UK by crossing the English ChannelPA
Prime Minister Sir Keir StarmerGetty
Just 14 per cent gave Labour a positive rating on the issue, making it the lowest-scoring area of government performance.
The YouGov poll, based on responses from more than 8,500 people between May and early June, shows the public are also highly critical of Labour’s handling of the NHS and economy.
Around seven in ten (69–71 per cent) say the government is doing badly on those two issues too — but immigration drew the harshest verdict.
Only one in five voters gave Labour credit for its work on health or the economy, compared to just one in seven on immigration.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp told The Sun:” These findings are no surprise.
“So far 2025 has been the worst year in history for illegal immigrants crossing the channel.
“The government’s claims to smash the gangs lie in tatters.
“It is clear that Labour made a catastrophic mistake by cancelling the Rwanda removals deterrent before it even started.”
The poll also found the only area where Labour gets a net positive score is on combatting terrorism, with 37 per cent saying it’s doing well, and 34 per cent disagreeing.
On defence, the public is more split – 34 per cent say Labour is handling it well, while 41 per cent think it isn’t.
Women were found to be especially dissatisfied with Labour’s handling of public services.
Just 16 per cent of women say the government is managing the NHS well, compared to 26 per cent of men.
The survey comes as Sir Keir Starmer is coming under immense criticism after presiding over record small boat crossings since coming to power.
Nearly 15,000 migrants have crossed from France this year already – the most in the first five months since the crisis erupted in 2018.
Projections show up to 50,000 could arrive by the end of 2025 in what would be a record year.
Legal migration is also under scrutiny, with net migration figures still well above pre-pandemic levels despite repeated pledges to bring numbers down.
Labour last month unveiled a new white paper proposing tighter rules on the rights of migrants to live, work and study in the UK.
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