Inflation, COVID or the Ukraine war? The issue Brits are most worried about

The issues British people are most worried about have been revealed, with the cost of living crisis at the top of the list.

Households are being squeezed due to rising food and fuel prices, sending inflation soaring to a 30-year high.

Families are now facing the biggest cost-of-living crisis since records began in the 1950s, and the latest Ipsos Issues Index has reflected this.

Inflation and prices (32%), the economy (29%), poverty and inequality (15%) and petrol and fuel prices (10%) were all in the top 10 mentions for Brits in April.

Other issues affecting people include defence, foreign affairs and terrorism (19%), NHS and healthcare (13%) and the lack of faith in politics and politicians (12%).

The poll of 982 British adults aged over 18 asked what they saw as the most important issues facing the UK and was taken between 6-12 April.

Read more: The benefit 850,000 eligible families aren’t claiming

Boris Johnson has come under pressure to do more to address the cost of living crisis.

Last month, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the consumer price inflation rate was heading for 9% later this year, as it predicted living standards in 2022 would fall by the most in 70 years.

Downing Street said the prime minister would sign off on new support when he chaired a “domestic and economic strategy committee” in the “coming weeks” but suggested no new money would be provided to ease the pain.

The announcement came after chancellor Rishi Sunak warned against rising public debt or inflation.

Ministers discussed “a number of ideas” at cabinet on Tuesday after Johnson asked them to bring “innovative” schemes to tackle soaring costs.

Labour has warned Britons are facing a £10bn hike in annual petrol and diesel costs, with “soaring” prices putting the squeeze on working families.

Read more: Ukraine war: Russia warns UK it could launch military strikes on British soil

Johnson accepted Britons were facing “real pressures” but blamed external factors such as Russian president Vladimir Putin’s “crazed malevolence” in Ukraine and lockdowns in China.

On Wednesday, deputy prime minister Dominic Raab warned Russia’s threat of a “proportional response” against Britain for backing Ukrainian strikes behind its lines was “unlawful”.

He said Putin’s regime was only adding to its “pariah status” by threatening other countries, including by shutting off gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria.

The Kremlin was angered by armed forces minister James Heappey saying it was “completely legitimate” for Ukraine to strike strategic targets on Russian soil.

On Wednesday, the Russian foreign ministry said that it was taking action against 287 members of the House of Commons in response to sanctions against Russian politicians, with Putin adding "all the objectives will definitely be carried out" in Ukraine.

Watch: 'Ostrich’ Boris Johnson has head in sand over cost of living, claims Labour

Meanwhile, the number of coronavirus deaths registered each week in England and Wales has risen above 1,000 for the first time since early February.

This is despite the figures covering a period that includes the Good Friday bank holiday when most register offices were closed.

A total of 1,003 deaths registered in the seven days to 15 April mentioned COVID-19 on the death certificate, according to the ONS.

The number was up 4% on the previous week and is the highest number since the seven days to 11 February.

The Ipsos Issues Index also revealed a difference in things people were worried about depending on their age.

Older people were more worried about inflation and the economy, with 37% of those aged 35 - 54 and 34% aged over 54 mentioning it in the survey.

This compared to 23% of people aged 18-34 mentioning it.

Younger people were less worried about NHS and healthcare (11%) and defence, foreign affairs and terrorism (8%) but were more concerned about housing (15%) compared to the other age groups.

There was little difference in age group in concern for the environment, despite it often being seen as a pressing issue for younger people.