The State of Us, published one year on from the violent unrest of last summer, presents an authoritative picture of the state of cohesion and community strength in the UK.
The report, by British Future and the Belong Network, details a combination of social tensions and grievances, including polarisation and division, concerns about asylum and immigration, declining political trust and economic pessimism. The authors warn that unrest risks being reignited unless urgent action is taken. They also identify some strong foundations on which to build, including public confidence in cohesion at neighbourhood level and numerous examples of impactful work across the UK 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.
The research is a foundational input to the Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion, chaired by Sir Sajid Javid and Jon Cruddas.
“It is not ‘censorship’ to insist every website operating in our country does so within the law.” Our @sundersays argues in @easterneye that UK govt should reject Elon Musk’s ‘pick and mix” approach to the law and Make Social Media Lawful Again [1/2]
Spain has reduced small boat crossings by 46% by combining diplomatic deals with source countries, expanded legal routes and enforcement. Could the UK learn from them? @theipaper reports:
This European country cut illegal boat crossings by half - what the UK could learn
Spain's approach to reducing illegal maritime crossings has had impressive results, with numbers down dramatically last year
inews.co.uk
Our @sundersays on the UK government's dilemma: "how to defend a rule-based world order once the most powerful states barely pay lip service to international law." @EasternEye [1/2]
"The only safe prediction may be to expect another volatile year in domestic and global politics," writes our @sundersays for @EasternEye on what 2026 has in store. [1/2]
"We can take some solace in the fact that this offer to import the Trump and Vance doctrine into our own politics is something we will get to decide for ourselves at the ballot box." Our @sundersays letter to @thetimes on Trump's fears for Europe's 'civilisational erasure' [1/2]
With the men's football World Cup draw today, @sundersays @EasternEye column reports from the women's game at Wembley: "It would be hard to find a more inclusive pride and patriotism than the way in which the Wembley crowd were cheering on the Lionesses"
What the Lionesses’ success reveals about unity and diversity in England
Expert says sport serves as a bridge between communities.
www.easterneye.biz
We’re delighted that our @jake_puddle &
@Heather_Rolfe, together with @jillyrutter of @BelongNetwork, won the MRS Presidents Medal last night at the Market Research Society & Research Live Awards 2025, for the ‘The State of Us’ report. [1/3]
Good to see @JohnRentoul citing British Future's new research and analysis in this explainer of the new net migration figures for @Independent [1/3]
If you missed our webinar today 'New net migration figures: What next for politics and policy?' you can watch a recording here:
THURSDAY WEBINAR: 'New Net Migration Figures - What Next for Policy and Politics?'
Our expert panel discusses the new ONS net migration figures (published 9.30am Thurs 27th) and findings from the British Future/Ipsos Immigration Attitudes Tracker (also published 27 Nov) [1/2]
'Labour risks leaving its voters behind over settlement proposals' – New blog from our @Heather_Rolfe for @UKandEU drawing on research for the Immigration Attitudes Tracker [1/2]
