Week 18 of 2026
A police raid connected to claims of forced marriage and modern slavery in a religious group made headlines this week. Stories about religious or close communities are often tricky, and 1 in 3 people think the media usually handles them poorly.
Antisemitism was in the spotlight after Sir Keir Starmer called the rise in attacks against British Jews “a crisis for all of us”. Almost half (47%) agreed with him, while 14% did not see it the same way.
As summer travel nears, Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary suggested stricter rules on drinking before early flights. The idea had support from 45% of people, though 14% thought it was ironic coming from Ryanair. Meanwhile, 1 in 10 admitted to boarding a flight drunk.
Local election results got mixed reactions. About 32% said Labour is letting people down faster than expected, while 14% thought the government should get more time before being judged.
A more uplifting story was Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday. He is seen as a national treasure by 86%, and 40% believe his legacy will inspire more people to care about nature.
Week 19 of 2026
The BAFTAs sparked a lot of talk, with Adolescence winning most of the awards. The Celebrity Traitors and Last One Laughing were also recognised. Of those who watched, 34% thought Adolescence deserved its wins.
New research showed a big gap in retirement savings between men and women, starting as early as age 28. For many, this was not surprising, 62% of women said the news was sad but expected.
Labour had another tough week after bad local election results and reports of internal problems. Half (55%) said the party is in meltdown, and 56% supported calls for Sir Keir Starmer to step down. On the other hand, 20% thought he should get more time before being judged.
Amazon started a drone delivery trial in one UK town, and 21% said faster delivery for urgent items would make them more open to the idea. Changes to rental rules in England were popular too, with 53% supporting the reforms, especially limits on rent increases.
12.2 million UK adults may not have enough for the basics in retirement; this struck a chord. 29% said they do not currently pay into a pension because they cannot afford to. In Wales, proposals to trial a £10 weekly payment for young children in families receiving Universal Credit prompted debate, with 20% questioning whether taxpayers can afford the scheme.
Week 20 of 2026
The UK’s relationship with the EU returned to the spotlight after senior Labour figures reopened the debate over rejoining. The issue still appears to matter to many voters, with 56% saying they would be more likely to support a future Labour leader who pushed for the UK to rejoin the EU.
Sport brought a happier moment as England’s Red Roses won their fifth Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam in a row. Among rugby fans, 42% hope this will lead to more respect for the women’s game.
Channel 4 removed Married at First Sight UK from its streaming service after serious allegations from former contributors. Most people (84%) supported this, but 75% thought Channel 4 should have acted sooner. In another story, reports of abuse and death threats against a long-serving councillor hit the headlines, with 48% worried that personal attacks in politics might stop good people from serving.
A BBC investigation into alleged people-smuggling networks using UK businesses to process payments highlighted ongoing worries about immigration enforcement. Only 1 in 4 said they have any faith that the government can get ahead of these networks.
David Beckham became the UK’s first billionaire sportsperson, prompting mixed reactions: 17% said it feels wrong when many people are struggling, and 16% believed no individual should hold that much wealth. Meanwhile, Morrisons’ decision to introduce male sanitary bins nationwide prompted reflection, with 65% of men admitting they had never previously considered why a man might need one in a public toilet.
The government also announced a temporary cut in VAT for family days out and some children’s activities during the summer holidays. Over half (55%) supported the move, and 18% said it would make a big difference to their summer plans.
Week 21 of 2026
The UK had its hottest May day ever, with temperatures hitting 34.8°C in London and records broken across all four nations. Many enjoyed the sun, but 30% said it was too hot, and 35% found these temperatures worrying.
The heatwave also raised safety concerns after the tragic death of 15-year-old Declan Sawyer at Swanholme Lakes. His family’s call for more awareness resonated, with half (53%) saying hot weather makes people act more recklessly. Another 16% admitted they had done something during a heatwave that they later regretted.
Financial choices were in the spotlight as more homeowners looked at tracker mortgages, with fixed-rate deals getting pricier. Of those on fixed mortgages, 35% thought switching to a tracker was too risky.
Concerns about everyday crime came up as supermarkets added more anti-theft measures, even tagging or locking up basic items. Over half (54%) said these steps make them think theft is getting worse.
Road safety remained a concern after new figures suggested drug driving is now overtaking drink driving on UK roads, 41% said stronger penalties are needed. Meanwhile, plans to expand England’s Pharmacy First service were widely welcomed. Although 40% have never used a pharmacy for common conditions, 70% said the expansion would make them more likely to do so in future.
A more positive note ended the month from Britain’s Got Talent, where the Hawkstone Choir, made up of farmers, won the top prize. The group was formed to support farmers’ mental health and highlight industry challenges. Their win left 27% hopeful it could give farming a stronger public voice.
Curious about the stories people reacted to last month?
Take a look at the April 2026 UK public opinion snapshot.
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