UK public want an end to divisions to help tackle key issues such as poverty and climate change – poll

Infographics available for use here: https://oxfam.box.com/s/xpezpxif6hw3rzj9dmudc8w343lhqg94

The public believe that the UK is more divided than 10 years ago, and that this is holding us back from tackling key issues such as poverty and climate change, a YouGov poll for Oxfam has found.

Just over two weeks since the General Election, Britons are calling for the nation to be more united – as over 72% say the UK is more divided than a decade ago and more than two thirds (69%) believe more should be done to improve relations between people across the nation.

The poll found over 78% of the 2,111 adults surveyed believe divisions in society are impacting progress on UK poverty, while over half (51%) agree divisions are affecting progress on climate change.

Almost half (45%) of Brits said they believe progress around tackling global poverty is impacted by divisions in society, while more than two-thirds (71%) said divisions are impacting on progress on racial equality in the UK.

When thinking about how divided or united society is, nearly half of Brits (47%) said they feel ‘concerned’, while 42% feel ‘disheartened’ and 31% ‘frustrated’ – compared to just 7% who felt optimistic - showing there is a clear call for action to unite the country.

Halima Begum, Oxfam’s chief executive, said: “For some time now, people across the country have seen the damage done when divisions and discord are played up in society, while issues like poverty, inequality and climate change loom large.

“Oxfam’s survey shows that individuals and communities want to come together, to unite in rejecting the contrived rhetoric of ‘them and us” that’s been used to divide society for far too long. If we could focus on tackling inequalities and injustices effectively, I’ve no doubt this would help create a kinder, fairer world for us all.

“Certainly at Oxfam, we know from our own experience working with communities around the world that ending inequality in all its forms is vital to ensuring everyone can live harmoniously. We hope this poll will invigorate the new government to heal those divisions that exist in our communities by focusing their efforts on the substantive issue of tackling poverty, inequality and the climate crisis.”

When asked to identify three of the best ways to unite the country, the top three answers from those surveyed included believing politicians and public figures should limit the divisive language they use in order to best unite the country (32%), believing the nation should be “more open and tolerant towards everyone in society” (43%) and having less divisive media organisations (35%).

The survey results come as Oxfam launches a drive to promote a more united society in order to create a fairer world. It is calling on the new Government to act on its calls to unite the country so they can deliver on poverty and climate change by ensuring fast and fair action on climate justice and supporting a global economic system that tackles inequality and builds a fairer UK economy.

Halima Begum said: “Following the election, the new culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, vowed that the “era of culture wars is over” and that the Government will work to create a less divisive society.

“Oxfam calls on the government to deliver on its promise to unite our country by tackling poverty and inequality, and move our communities away from the contrived era of ‘them and us’. Let’s be clear: there is no them, just us.”

ENDS

For more information or to arrange an interview please contact: media.unit@oxfam.org.uk or call +44 (0)7748 761999.

Notes to editors:

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 2,111 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 9th - 10th July 2024.  The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).

A regional breakdown of the data is available here: https://oxfam.box.com/s/50zk0gccwp3wclsyq5eru4au7s1nzjtr

To read the full report on There is No Them, Just Us, please click here: https://oxfam.box.com/s/e3vx6fn1vrn9xpp7835dvd43k0nnkgjj