The key general election issues as chosen by northern Lincolnshire residents as health and immigration top the list

The NHS and health is the top issue for northern Lincolnshire voters, according to a survey of local residents.

Grimsby Live has been asking readers in recent weeks to pick their up to three key issues for the general election. The survey has twelve specific categories and an 'Other' option, with a comment box to allow for other topics.

The NHS and health has topped the survey so far, as of June 14, with a 20 per cent share of votes. Immigration is narrowly behind in second place, possibly a boost for Reform UK's prospects, given the focus it has put on this topic in its campaign. Cost of living places third.

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Crime and anti-social behaviour is fourth, and the economy and jobs rounds out the top five. All other categories have so far had fewer than a hundred entries. But perhaps highlighting concerns about global instability, and political distrust, the next joint-highest categories are 'Trust and Integrity in Politics', and Defence.

Levelling up and regeneration has so far ranked low down the list of key issues for Grimsby Live readers, in ninth. Transport is the lowest-ranked issue. However, how much its placing has been influenced by the knowledge of future HS2 scrapped cash funding, or a view of this as a council rather than parliamentary issue, is unknown. During a visit to Grimsby by Sir Keir Starmer, Labour also unveiled plans for further cash in England to fix a million potholes a year.

Disabled rights, Gaza and pensions

There have been almost 40 entries under the 'other' category. Several cited disability rights, including support for cash payments for Personal Independence Payments (PIPs), and for accessible public toilets. There were also several who cited the Gazan conflict, calling it a "genocide".

A pro-Palestinian protest took place outside Grimsby Town Hall on Wednesday, ahead of the Sky News 'Battle For Number 10' debate. The International Criminal Court's (ICC) chief prosecutor issued arrest warrants for the three leading members of Hamas and Israel's prime minister and defence minister last month. Israel has strongly rejected the charges and denied genocide.

Pensions and the freezing of personal tax allowances were cited together and separately. There were also specific entries for WASPI, women impacted by the equalisation of the state pension age, and entitled to compensation.

Others expanded on their issues ticked. "My wife is on a waiting list to see a consultant before going onto another waiting list for an operation," commented one. "Unacceptable and not reflected in the official waiting list figures."

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"Immigration is likely the root cause of several other issues," commented another. Immigration was the issue most commonly expanded on. Energy transition, opposition to net zero, more support for the LGBT+ community, ending fox hunting, single sex spaces, support for the Conservatives' plans to introduce national service for 18 year olds and social care were other topics highlighted by more than one entry.

The survey results provide a snapshot on the issues of most concern to Cleethorpes, Grimsby and Scunthorpe voters as they get set to vote on polling day, or submit their postal vote.