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Media contact: Steve Ballinger 07807 348988 steve@britishfuture.org Go To Media Articles A ‘powderkeg’ of social tensions and grievances – including polarisation and division, declining political trust and economic pessimism – remain unaddressed across the UK, according to new research. One year on from last summer’s riots, unrest risks being reignited unless urgent action is taken to address these issues. Successive governments have failed to take sustained, proactive measures to address these challenges, the report says. Instead, it argues that “A ‘doom loop’ of inaction, crisis and piecemeal response has failed to strengthen the foundations of communities across the country.” The new report, ‘The State of Us’, by British Future and the Belong Network, is the most comprehensive examination of cohesion and community strength in the UK since the riots of last summer. It finds widespread public concerns about declining public services, inequality and the cost of living; worries about the impact of social media; and a lack of trust in politicians and institutions to help put things right. It also identifies immigration and asylum as a salient issue raised by research participants, often focused on integration and pressures on housing and public services. Three in ten respondents (30%) in the Focaldata poll selected ‘Divisions between people who have migrated to the UK, arrived as refugees or sought asylum, and people born in the UK’ as the top issue negatively affecting how people from different backgrounds get on in their local area. Lack of social contact is also a key issue. Three in ten adults (31%) – 15 million people – say they rarely or never have opportunities to meet people from different backgrounds. A similar number (30%) say they don’t frequently get a chance to meet other people at all in their local community. One reason is money: half the public (50%) say they don’t always have enough money to go to places where they would meet other people. The research finds that those who ‘often’ get to meet others from different backgrounds are significantly more likely to feel that people from different backgrounds get along in their local area (80%), compared to those who ‘rarely’ do so (54%). The research also found reasons for optimism that change is possible. There are strong foundations of cohesion at neighbourhood level, with 69% of people feeling their local area is a place where people from different backgrounds get on well together. Many participants recalled moments of togetherness and community strength in adversity during the Covid-19 lockdowns. The research also highlights numerous examples of impactful work across the UK. These were often led by local authorities and civil society, to empower communities, build shared identities and strengthen relationships between people from different backgrounds. Research for the report incorporated the views of 177 UK organisations working on social cohesion and community development, through regional roundtables, as well as 113 written submissions of evidence. A nationally representative survey by Focaldata and eight focus groups in towns and cities across the UK, including in areas that experienced riots, assessed public opinion. Jake Puddle, Senior Researcher at British Future, who led the research, said: “We are facing a long, hot summer, with a powder keg of tensions left largely unaddressed from last year that could easily ignite once again. People are unhappy about their standard of living and the state of their local area, and don’t trust politicians to sort it out. “Public concerns about immigration and asylum can also be a flashpoint. That’s only made worse when people have little contact with new arrivals, where public voices exacerbate division, and where governments fail to support or consult communities in their plans for asylum accommodation.” Kelly Fowler, Chief Executive of the Belong Network, said: “Good work is happening across the UK on cohesion and community strength, but it is patchy and often confined to areas of high diversity or where tensions have spilled over into unrest. A lack of sustained funding limits its impact. It’s time this issue was treated with the urgency it merits, in every part of Britain. We must not wait for more riots to happen.” The report is a foundational input to the new Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion, chaired by Sir Sajid Javid and Jon Cruddas, which held its inaugural meeting of Commissioners last month. In a foreword to the report, Sir Sajid Javid and Jon Cruddas write: “The bonds that hold society together – civic participation and a shared sense of belonging – are under growing pressure. This is leaving our society more fragmented, fragile and less resilient to internal and external threats. At the same time, forces driving division are intensifying, political polarisation is deepening and trust in institutions is declining.” “Only through coordinated leadership and collaboration across sectors can we build resilience and connection on a national scale – but it will take boldness, bravery, and a willingness to step outside our comfort zones.” The Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion aims to develop recommendations for policymakers and a collective vision for the future of our communities. Phase Two of the Commission’s research will feature a UK-wide ‘national conversation’ designed to hear directly from the public about how they experience connection and belonging, and the changes they want to see. The Commission is supported by the /together initiative, which acts as its secretariat. More details at www.livingwelltogether.org.uk. Download a copy of ‘The State of Us’ report here. Photo by Yelim LEE / AFP via Getty Images. British Future’s latest activity on Twitter British Future @britishfuture · 15 Jun 2066516848389095864 More than half of Muslims experienced prejudice based on their religion in the last year, but three-quarters still feel the UK is a good place to be Muslim, finds a new report, ‘Understanding Anti-Muslim Hostility: Foundations for Action’ by @britishfuture @BMuslimTrust [1/4] Twitter feed image. Reply on Twitter 2066516848389095864 3 Retweet on Twitter 2066516848389095864 2 Like on Twitter 2066516848389095864 8 Twitter 2066516848389095864 British Future @britishfuture · 14 Jun 2066077686301130842 ‘X accused of giving racists impunity after failing to take down ‘n-word’ and ‘p-word’ abuse’ - @guardian X accused of giving racists ‘impunity’ after refusing to bar N- and P-word posts Site takes no action over hate posts against UK politicians including Kemi Badenoch, Shabana Mahmood and Zia Yusuf www.theguardian.com Reply on Twitter 2066077686301130842 1 Retweet on Twitter 2066077686301130842 0 Like on Twitter 2066077686301130842 1 Twitter 2066077686301130842 Retweet on Twitter British Future Retweeted Windrush 100 Network @100Windrush · 14 Jun 2066055310494548005 ‘Windrush anniversary must focus on legacy and unfinished justice’ @ppvernon writes for the @JamaicaGleaner Patrick Vernon | Windrush anniversary must focus on legacy and unfinished justice As Britain gets ready to celebrate another Windrush Day on June 22, I use the opportunity to reflect on what I... jamaica-gleaner.com Reply on Twitter 2066055310494548005 Retweet on Twitter 2066055310494548005 4 Like on Twitter 2066055310494548005 4 Twitter 2066055310494548005 British Future @britishfuture · 21 May 2057359920056369533 Published today: ‘After the fall: Why hasn’t falling immigration changed public attitudes?’ reporting the 2026 findings of British Future’s annual Immigration Attitudes Tracker. 🧵 Twitter feed image. Reply on Twitter 2057359920056369533 114 Retweet on Twitter 2057359920056369533 7 Like on Twitter 2057359920056369533 13 Twitter 2057359920056369533 British Future @britishfuture · 14 May 2054863464401617270 What does the public really think about immigration? Coming soon: The 2026 Immigration Attitudes Tracker report from British Future. Published 00.01 Thurs 21 May, ahead of the new ONS net migration stats at 9.30am that day. Twitter feed image. Reply on Twitter 2054863464401617270 1 Retweet on Twitter 2054863464401617270 0 Like on Twitter 2054863464401617270 1 Twitter 2054863464401617270 British Future @britishfuture · 27 Apr 2048801482716176612 'Three weeks, three months, or three years? The uncertain future of Keir Starmer'' – new @sundersays column for @easterneye : https://www.easterneye.biz/keir-starmer-resignation-speculation Twitter feed image. Reply on Twitter 2048801482716176612 Retweet on Twitter 2048801482716176612 1 Like on Twitter 2048801482716176612 3 Twitter 2048801482716176612 British Future @britishfuture · 23 Mar 2036012085818061246 Most of the public does not like the way in which the England flag has been dragged into polarised debates about identity and race, according to new research published today by British Future, one month out from St George's Day. [Thread] Twitter feed image. Reply on Twitter 2036012085818061246 2 Retweet on Twitter 2036012085818061246 6 Like on Twitter 2036012085818061246 11 Twitter 2036012085818061246 British Future @britishfuture · 18 Mar 2034221862838821012 Faith leaders urge Government to 'slow down and rethink' changes to settlement rules, in a letter published in The Guardian today 🧵 Twitter feed image. Reply on Twitter 2034221862838821012 Retweet on Twitter 2034221862838821012 0 Like on Twitter 2034221862838821012 2 Twitter 2034221862838821012 British Future @britishfuture · 18 Mar 2034190813182267892 Angela Rayner has warned that the Labour government proposals to make it harder for migrants already in the UK to settle permanently are "un-British" and a "breach of trust" - BBC News report Angela Rayner warns against 'un-British' immigration reforms Most migrant workers will have to wait longer to qualify for permanent residence under the government's proposals. www.bbc.co.uk Reply on Twitter 2034190813182267892 Retweet on Twitter 2034190813182267892 0 Like on Twitter 2034190813182267892 0 Twitter 2034190813182267892 British Future @britishfuture · 17 Mar 2033966474658791662 Faith leaders urge government to rethink settlement changes that “risk undermining” community cohesion [1/3] Twitter feed image. Reply on Twitter 2033966474658791662 Retweet on Twitter 2033966474658791662 0 Like on Twitter 2033966474658791662 0 Twitter 2033966474658791662 Load More Engaging people’s hopes and fears about integration and immigration, identity and race. Working for a confident and welcoming Britain, inclusive and fair to all. Registered charity number 1159291 Contact us British Future 13 Elliott’s Place, London N1 8HX info@britishfuture.org Media Contact Steve Ballinger British Future Director of Communications steve@britishfuture.org Mob. 07807 348 988 (No text messages to this number please) GDPR | Legal | Cookies Website by