Britons' Concerns Over EU Rise to Record Level Since 1999 Amid Brexit Vote

As many as 48 percent of Britons named immigration as the most important issue the United Kingdom is facing, while concerns about the European Union have risen to record levels since 1999 amid the recent referendum campaigns, a poll revealed Thursday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — According to the June 2016 Economist/Ipsos MORI poll, over a third of those interviewed, or 32 percent, said they considered the bloc to be an important issue, showing a four-percent increase since the May version of the poll, while immigration underwent a ten-percent increase in the same period.

Almost every fourth person, or 37 percent, named the National Health Service as the most pressing issue for Britons, also demonstrating a four-percent increase in comparison to the previous poll.

British nationals are voting in the referendum to determine whether the United Kingdom should leave the European Union or not. Polling stations across the United Kingdom stay open from 7:00 a.m. through 10:00 p.m. local time. There is no threshold for turnout, and there will be no exit polls.

The referendum was scheduled after UK Prime Minister David Cameron and the leaders of the 27 EU member states agreed in February to grant the United Kingdom a special status within the bloc.

Brexit supporters argue that EU membership has eroded the country’s independence to legislate, direct its economy and control its borders. Opponents warn that leaving the European Union could deeply harm the UK economy.