Never mind the economy, immigration is now a bigger concern for voters

As fears grow of a backlash against asylum seekers and a summer of disorder, polling shows a significant change in people's priorities

- John Simpson

Immigration has overtaken the economy in voters' top concerns about Britain, according to a new poll for The Observer.

The NHS remains the main priority for the public, with 55% of those polled citing the health service among their top three most important issues facing the country. But 49% now raise immigration among their top concerns, a 7-point increase since May, compared with 45% for the economy, according to the poll by Opinium.

Those polled were largely aware of recent far-right protests at a migrant hotel in Essex, which followed the arrest of an asylum seeker for allegedly attempting to kiss a young girl.

Donald Trump arrived in Scotland on Friday to visit his golf courses and meet leaders including Sir Keir Starmer. He described immigration as a “horrible invasion” that is “killing Europe”.

There are growing concerns among those in law enforcement that there could be disorder this summer, a year after racist rioting in response to the Southport stabbings of young girls at a dance class. Essex police were bracing for more protests around the Bell hotel in Epping after far-right agitator Tommy Robinson announced a “mass mobilisation” for today.

Local protests began after the arrest of Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu on 8 July. He was charged with sexual assault after an incident where he is alleged to have attempted to kiss a 14-year-old girl, which he denied.