Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/736806
2 JAMES DEBONO A MaltaToday survey which coincided with the re-opening of schools shows that con- cern on traffic has reached an all-time high, being mentioned by 37% of respondents. This represents a 17 point increase over the figures for last May. Concern on corruption remains the sec- ond most mentioned subject at the same levels as in May. At 18% it is only second to traffic in the list of national concerns. But the survey also shows a six-point drop in concern on the Panama Papers affair, which was mentioned by 4% of respondents. Respondents were asked to name the two greatest problems facing the country, with- out being prompted with a list of answers. The survey shows concern on the environ- ment rising by four points since May. 4.4% of respondents mentioned high-rises as one of their two main concerns. This is the first time that concern on high-rises featured among the top concerns of the population. This comes in the wake of the approval of a 38 storey tower in Sliema, the approval of four towers in Mriehel and the publication of a master plan which earmarks Paceville for high-rise developments on nine differ- ent sites. Traffic tops the concern of all catego- ries of respondents, except for PN voters, among whom corruption remains the top concern. But concern on corruption re- mains high also among PL voters, 9% of whom consider corruption as one of the main problems facing the country. Cor- ruption is also a main concern of 23% of switchers and 20% of non-voters. Once again the survey indicates that bread and butter issues have been eclipsed by the concerns related to governance, the environment, immigration and traffic. The most pressing bread and butter issues are low income (9.3%) and the cost of living (8%). Only 1.3% expressed a concern on the economy while 2.4% expressed a con- cern about jobs. Concern on immigration remains particu- larly high among Labour voters (18.1%). Among this category immigration is the second most pressing concern. Only 6% of PN voters mentioned immigration as a major concern. Immigration is also a main concern among undecided voters (14%). Concern about the environment among La- bour voters has also grown by three points The rise of traffic and corruption as main concerns A comparison of surveys conducted in the past two years shows that traffic has con- sistently dominated the list of concerns, with concern about this issue rising from just 7% in March 2014 to 24% last January, and 37% now. Concern on corruption has risen from 0% to 7% after the Gaffarena scandal, rising to 14% just before Panama- gate and to 18.2% now. Concern about immigration remained one of the top two concerns in the whole period between March 2014 and January 2016, only to drop to fourth place in May and September. Concern on low income has surpassed concern about jobs. While concern on jobs dropped from 21% in March 2014 to 2.4% now, concern on low income doubled from 5% in March 2014 to 10% now. Interestingly, concern on low incomes has also surpassed concern on in- flation. And a comparison with surveys held be- fore the 2013 general election shows a sharp change in the concerns of the public. While concern on utility bills peaked at 50% in February 2010, only 1% express this con- cern now. On the other hand concern on corruption, which never surpassed the 3% mark between 2008 and 2013, has now hit the 18% mark. Concern about the environ- ment peaked in September 2015 at 13% but dropped to 6% last May, only to rise again to 9% now. jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt maltatoday, SUNDAY, 9 OCTOBER 2016 News Concern on traffic reaches all-time high Survey shows increase in concern on environment and high- rise developments, corruption remains second greatest concern PN voters PL voters Switchers 50 45 40 35 30 25 15 10 5 0 Traffic Corruption Immigration Environment Cost of living Low income 'The Opposition' High-rise Politicians Panama Papers Traffic Corruption Immigration Environment Cost of living Low income 'The Opposition' Buses High-rise Politicians Panama Papers Roads Jobs Health Economy Parking Others Don't know Concerns according to party allegiance 37.1% Traffic has increased by 17 points over May since the start of the scholastic year 12.2% 9.8% 9.3% 8% 4.7% 4.4% 3.6% 4.7% 3.6% 3.6% 2.4% 2.4% 1.3% 1.3% 2% 14.2% 18.2% Concern among switchers is the highest (50%) when it comes to traffic, while PN voters are more worried about corruption (34%), while Labour voters are mostly worried about the traffic (38.1%) but also about immigration (18.1%) Only PL voters (8.6%) are concerned about 'the Opposition' Only PL voters (8.6%) are concerned about 'the Opposition'