The United Kingdom is a “powder barrel” of social tensions that could easily ignite again, a larger report warned a year after riots broke across the country, caused by Southport Knife attacks that killed three young girls.
One in three adults, equivalent to 15 million people, says they rarely or never meet people with different backgrounds, according to the results of research into the nation’s social power and cohesion.
It also found that up to seven out of 10 have never met or interacted with local asylum seekers in the midst of polarized debate on immigration, struggling with the cost of living and falling confidence in politicians.
Sir Sajid Javid and former Labor Member Jon Cruddas, president of the new Independent Commission for Society and Cohesion, say the report shows “clear evidence” that social bonds are under growing pressure.
Without action, it is “much basis for our democracy in danger,” they warned.
“This leaves our society more fragmented, fragile and less resistant to internal and external threats,” they said.
“At the same time, forces that drive division are intensified: Political polarization is elaborated on and trust in institutions is falling, while economic pressure – especially the cost of living crisis – burns widespread frustration, intensified by a widespread belief that immigration policy is in chaos.
“These trends are inextricably intertwined – to narrow the space for constructive dialogue and increase the risk of further turmoil and alienation.”
It comes after last summer when the right-wing riot broke out in cities and cities across the country, with hotels targeting hotels targeting.
The ulod was triggered after incorrect information spread on social media claiming that the striker launching a knife ramping at a Taylor Swift-theme child dance class on July 29, killing three girls was a Muslim asylum seeker.
The deed man was later revealed to be 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana, who was born in Cardiff to Rwandish parents who were Christians.
The The state for us Report of Independent Think Tank British Future and the Beling Network described the clashes as a result of a “Tinderbox of long -term social pressure” which remains unaddened.
“Without urgent actions, unrest is resumed,” says the report.
“We saw what it might look like in the disturbance last summer. Attacks on visible minorities and people seeking asylum marked Britain’s worst targeted violence in a generation.
“High streets, businesses and community spaces were damaged or destroyed, and people fought the police on the streets.”
The study of 2,243 British adults and eight focus groups (with a total of 71 participants) held around the UK, including in areas facing riots, showed that concern about immigration is the top cause of tension in local communities.
About half (49 percent) of respondents believe that divisions between the locals and those migrated to the UK, including refugees and asylum seekers, affect how well people with different backgrounds can get together in their area.
But the majority of people (67 percent) say they have never met or interacted with asylum seekers in their local area, or are uncertain whether they have done so.
Departments of migration were ranked more negatively than religious, ethnic, political and wealth -related gap.
One in three adults says they rarely or never have the opportunity to meet people with different backgrounds.
Financial security plays a role in this – half of people think they don’t have enough money to go and meet people in ordinary spaces, such as cafes or pubs.
During the last year’s riots, tensions over asylum seekers were central to the fanning of violence as incorrect information about the killer was seen over 420,000 times on social media at the time a study from The independent found.
This resulted in attacks on asylum hotels and encouraging violence online with subsequent arrests of people, including Lucy Connolly, wife of a tory councilor who was jailed for 31 months over a tweet.
This lack of attention extends further as 4 out of 10 people do not even know if asylum seekers are housed in their local area, the study reveals.
The study also found that although eight out of 10 people still believe that people with different backgrounds come into their area well, this has gone down in the last few years.
Those in the most deprived areas are least likely to say that different backgrounds come together (69 percent) compared to 90 percent in the most affluent areas.
A map of the data in various local authorities shows that a higher perceived lack of social cohesion is recorded in areas in the north, especially near Manchester and Leeds, in addition to areas east of London.
Cohesion between people with different backgrounds is perceived as worst in Boston, of only 59 percent; 21 points below the national average.
The city was home to racial riots over two decades ago after 2004 euros, a Brexit fortress and elected for Reform Member Richard Tice.