Seven in ten Britons support sanctions against Russia

Our latest barometer on British public opinion and voting intentions reveals that a majority of Britons support the UK government taking measures to support Ukraine including imposing sanctions against Russia (69%).

Britons are pessimistic about the future of the economy, and an increasing number of Britons are finding it harder to meet their monthly household budget compared to a year ago.

Key findings from Kantar Public’s research, which took place between 17 and 21 March 2022, include:

• A majority of Britons support the UK government taking measures to support Ukraine:
  
  • Seven in ten Britons (69%) support sanctions against Russia and individuals associated with the Russian government.
  • More than half (58%) of Britons support making it easier for refugees from Ukraine to come to Britain.
  • 55% of Britons support the UK government providing weapons to Ukraine.
• A quarter of Britons (25%) are of the opinion that Boris Johnson would be better than Keir Starmer at leading Britain if military action was needed, whereas 16% think the opposite. A large majority (59%) said neither leader would be better or did not know who would be best.
• 42% think that the British economy will be doing worse than it is now in a years’ time (+8 vs February 2022), 16% think it will be doing better (-4) while 42% think it will be doing much the same.
• Over half of Britons (54%) are finding it harder to meet their monthly household budget than a year ago (+2 vs February 2022). This is the highest level recorded since March 2012.
• Half of Britons (50%) think reducing the cost of living for households should be a priority for the UK government (+5 vs February 2022).

More detailed analysis on themes

1. The War in Ukraine 

When thinking about the war in Ukraine, Britons support the UK government taking measures to support Ukraine:

• Seven in ten Britons (69%) strongly/somewhat support sanctions against Russia and individuals associated with the Russian government, while only 8% strongly/somewhat oppose. 23% Neither support nor oppose this measure.
• 58% of Britons strongly/somewhat support making it easier for refugees from Ukraine to come to Britain. 15% oppose this measure, while 26% neither support nor oppose.
• 55% of Britons strongly/somewhat support the UK government providing weapons to Ukraine. 15% strongly/somewhat oppose. 29% neither support nor oppose this measure.

Britons tend to think that Boris Johnson would do a better job than Keir Starmer at standing up to Russia, and leading Britain if military action was needed. However, a plurality believes neither Boris Johnson nor Keir Starmer is best placed.

2. Household-level economic situation

Britons are pessimistic about the future of the economy, and an increasing number of Britons are finding it harder to meet their monthly household budget compared to a year ago.

• 42% think that the British economy will be doing worse than it is now in a years’ time (+8 vs February 2022), 16% think it will be doing better (-4) while 42% think it will be doing much the same as it is now.
• Over half of Britons (54%) are finding it harder to meet their monthly household budget than a year ago (+2 vs February 2022). This is the highest level recorded since March 2012.
• Among those who report that it is harder to meet their household budget, half (51%) cite the rising cost of energy bills as the main reason (+9 vs February 2022) while 18% attribute it to the rising cost of food (-4).
• 19% of Britons are behind with some or all of their bills (-5 vs February 2022) while 75% are up to date with all of their bills (+7).
• 21% of working Britons believe their job is less secure than it was a year ago (-9 vs February 2022). Only 15% believe their job is more secure than it was a year ago (nc), although 53% believe their job security is much the same as it was (+6).
• One in two Britons (52%) thinks the British economy is doing worse than it was a year ago (+1 vs February 2022). One in three (35%) think it is doing much the same (+5) but only 13% think it is doing better (-6).

3. Policy Priorities

When asked about the three most important priorities for the UK government if it is to improve public life in the UK, Britons cite the following policy areas:

• Reducing the cost of living (50%,+5 vs February 2022).
• Investing more in the NHS (36%,+1).
• Growing the UK’s economy (24%,+2).
• Affordable housing (23%, nc).

4. Party Leaders Rating

When it comes to party leaders, a plurality believes neither Boris Johnson nor Keir Starmer is best placed to tackle the UK’s biggest policy challenges. Furthermore, a large proportion simply don’t know who would be better.

Britons tend to think Keir Starmer would do a better job than Boris Johnson at: reducing the cost of living, reducing serious crime, managing the NHS, tackling climate change, telling the truth and making decisions in the best interest of the general public.

With respect to improving the economy, managing the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit, Britons are of the view that Boris Johnson would be better placed to deal with these challenges.

However, neither leader scores a 30% prefCompared to last month more Britons “don’t know” who would be better across all measures.
Which of these leaders do you think would be best at…

5. Attitudes Towards COVID-19

Satisfaction with the government’s handling of the pandemic has slightly improved, while the number of Britons that think vaccines should be compulsory for all adults has marginally decreased:

• Half of Britons (47%) think the government has handled the pandemic very/fairly poorly (+3 vs February 2022), while 44% think the government has handled it very/fairly well (-1).
• Four in ten (42%) think that vaccines should be compulsory for all adults (-3 vs February 2022) but they are still outnumbered by those who think that people should be allowed to choose for themselves (46%, -1).

6. Voting Intentions

• Lab 36% (-3 vs February 2022)
•  Con 36% (+2)
•  L Dem 12% (nc)
• Green 6% (nc)
• SNP 3% (-1)
• Reform UK (formerly Brexit party) 3% (+1)
• UKIP 1% (nc)
• Plaid Cymru<1% (-1)
• Other 2% (nc)

Methodological information

A total of 1,042 interviews were conducted online among adults living in Great Britain between the 17th and 21st March 2022. All interviews were conducted online using the Kantar Research Express. The Kantar online access panel was the main sample source.

The data was weighted to match population totals for age, gender, 2019 General Election voting patterns, 2016 EU referendum voting patterns, education, region, and likelihood to vote in the next General Election. Any use of this research must cite Kantar Public as the source.

This content was issued under our former global brand name, Kantar Public.