With voters heading to the polls across England, Wales and Scotland tomorrow, a recent YouGov survey reveals what local issues matter most — and the answers are not always what you might expect, writes LocalGov editor William Eichler.

Tomorrow, voters in 136 council areas across England will head to the polls, alongside elections for the devolved governments in Wales and Scotland and six mayoral contests. More than 25,000 candidates are competing for around 5,000 seats. It is one of the most significant local election days in recent memory — and the issues driving voters to the ballot box, or keeping them away, say a great deal about the state of public services in 2026.

A YouGov poll published in April offers a snapshot of what matters most to people in their local areas. The findings are, in places, entirely predictable. In others, they are quietly surprising.

Topping the list, cited by 37% of respondents, is roads — potholes, parking, and congestion. This will surprise nobody who has driven on a British road recently. The latest Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) survey puts the repair backlog for local roads across England and Wales at a record £18.62bn, a sum that would take an estimated 12 years to clear at current rates. Roads are often treated as a clear measure of whether local government is delivering.

Close behind, at 35%, is the economy and cost of living. Again, the context is stark. Citizens Advice reports that crisis support — foodbank referrals, charitable grants — has been provided to over 51,000 people, with personal debt at record levels. Council tax increases of 13% and fuel prices up 12% are adding to household strain at an already difficult time. Given the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and its effect on energy markets, some might have expected these figures to rank even higher.

NHS GP and hospital services came in at 29%, reflecting the continued strain on primary care. Yet social care – arguably the area where councils have the most direct influence over people's lives – registered only 4%. Facilities for children and young people came in at just 3%. These low figures raise questions about whether voters fully connect local authority decisions with the services they depend on most, or whether the link simply isn't being made clearly enough in public debate.

Immigration polled at 19%, an issue that has been pushed hard by Reform and occupies considerable space in the national news cycle. The poll suggests, however, that for most voters it remains some way behind bread-and-butter concerns when thinking about their local area.

Crime, anti-social behaviour, and policing came in at 18%. Councils have tools to address anti-social behaviour — Public Spaces Protection Orders among them — though their use is not without controversy. Critics argue that PSPOs can criminalise perfectly ordinary activity in public spaces, raising questions about where the line falls between maintaining order and restricting everyday life.

Perhaps the most unexpected result is the relatively low ranking of the local high street and town centre, at just 14%. The Government has invested significant sums in regeneration through its Pride in Place scheme, aimed at breathing new life into communities and high streets across the country. Whether 14% represents apathy, satisfaction, or simply other priorities crowding out concern is difficult to say — but it may be an early indicator that targeted investment in place-based regeneration is beginning to register with the public.

One poll, of course, does not tell the whole story. Polling captures intention and perception; the ballot box captures something harder to predict. What tomorrow's results will show is which parties voters trust to act on these concerns at a local level.

This article was written with the help of AI.