British Social Attitudes Pilot
About the BSA pilot
Before each study year, we ask some people to take part in the British Social Attitudes pilot study, in which we trial new questions added in that year. This process is very important, as it ensures that the data we collect in the main survey is reliable and accurate.
This year we have selected a list of participants from the NatCen Panel. If you have been selected to take part, you will receive an invitation email and an interviewer from the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) will call you to invite you to take part over the telephone. Taking part is voluntary. If you do not wish to be contacted by an interviewer, you can call us on 0800 652 9295 or email bsa2025@natcen.ac.uk.
If you choose to take part in the pilot, your answers will be used to help make sure the questionnaire is working as well as it can be; we welcome any feedback you may have. Your data will not be shared with anyone outside of the research team and no one will be able to identify you in any reports. Your data will not be published.
Frequently asked questions
What is the British Social Attitudes survey?
British Social Attitudes is the longest-running study of public attitudes in Britain. Since 1983 this highly respected study has been tracking the views and opinions of the public on the big issues facing the nation. It's the only survey of its kind.
Every year we ask people from across the UK what they think about a range of topics like health, welfare and how the country is run. This means that we can not only show what people in Britain think about important issues today, but we can also show how opinions and views have changed over the years.
Why have I been selected to take part?
You were selected to take part as you are currently a member of the NatCen Opinion Panel. For this study we are inviting a selection of Panel participants from across the UK, who agreed in their recruitment survey to be contacted for future one-off studies.
Why take part?
British Social Attitudes is the only study of its kind. The study is respected by the media, politicians and charities. By taking part you will be helping us to uncover the views of people in Britain today. What we find out is used to inform policy and make a difference to the lives of people across the nation.
The findings of the study will be featured in the news, on television and radio, and will be discussed in Parliament. In previous years, the survey has been widely used by national charities, government departments, public bodies, academia and independent researchers.
Taking part is an opportunity to shape what's debated in Parliament and what's talked about online and in the newspapers. We rely on your help to ensure that the opinions and views of people like you are represented. It doesn't matter if you have a strong opinion or not - we are interested in whatever you have to say.
Who funds British Social Attitudes?
This year, the survey is funded by the Department for Work and Pensions, Strathclyde University on behalf of the Health Foundation, the Nuffield Trust and The King’s Fund and Age UK.
What will I receive for taking part?
As a thank you, we will send a £5 Love2Shop shopping voucher for taking part.
What’s involved?
You will receive an invitation email inviting you to participate in this year’s BSA pilot. An interviewer from NatCen will contact you by telephone to invite you to take part. You will be able to arrange an appointment to take part at a time that suits you.
The survey will take around 30 minutes to complete.
What will you ask me about?
The interview itself is really relaxed – we will ask you about a range of topics including the NHS and social care, pensions and getting older as well as other topics. For many questions you will be asked to pick from a selection of common answers. And don’t worry – you don’t have to answer any questions you don’t want to.
You don’t need any special knowledge to participate – we want to hear what you think about the major issues affecting Britain today. And it doesn't matter if you don’t have a strong opinion – we are interested in whatever you have to say. If you don’t know much about an issue – it’s still important for us to know that.
Do I have to answer all the questions?
Taking part is voluntary and you do not have to answer any questions you don’t want to. You can skip a question without giving an answer and move to the next one. You can stop the survey at any time.
What will happen to my answers?
We will treat the information you give us in the strictest confidence and in accordance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. The results collected are used for research purposes only. Your answers will be combined with others and any information that could directly identify you will be removed before we analyse the data.
Your data will not be shared with anyone outside of the research team and no one will be able to identify you in any reports. Your data will not be published.
You can read more about how your data will be used at the foot of the page in our Privacy Notice.
Where can I get more information?
If you have any questions at all, you can get in touch with us by phone or by email.
- Freephone: 0800 652 9295
- Email: bsa2025@natcen.ac.uk
Useful contacts
Due to the nature of the study and the wide range of topics approached, sensitive topics might occasionally be included in the survey. If you would like more information or support on any of the topics covered in the questionnaire the following organisations may be of help:
- Citizens Advice Bureau. For advice on a range of issues, including work, debt, benefits, housing and homelessness. They have offices all over the UK and you can also access advice on their website.
www.citizensadvice.org.uk - Money Helper. A free and impartial government-backed service that provides information and guidance about money and pensions.
www.moneyhelper.org.uk - Samaritans. For support if you’re having a difficult time or you’re worried about someone else.
www.samaritans.org - Age UK. For information, advice and support on growing older.
www.ageuk.org.uk - Mind UK. For more information and support for mental health. Mind also provides links for other support networks.
www.mind.org.uk - Frank. For facts, support and advice on drugs and alcohol.
www.talktofrank.com - Scope UK. A disability equality charity that provides emotional support and practical advice.
www.scope.org.uk - Equality and Human Rights Commission. Offers advice and guidance around equality issues.
www.equalityhumanrights.com/en - The Government. You might also find relevant information regarding your specific situation on the government’s website.
www.gov.uk - National health services information. Each nation within the UK provides its own health information which includes advice plus details of local services.
England www.nhs.uk
Contact number: 111
Scotland www.nhs24.scot
Contact number: 111
Wales 111.wales.nhs.uk
Contact number: 111
Northern Ireland www.nidirect.gov.uk/information-and-services/health-and-wellbeing - National Bereavement Service. Provides practical and emotional assistance for those who’ve experienced bereavement.
thenbs.org
Privacy notice
The purpose of processing your information
The British Social Attitudes survey is designed to capture a representative picture of the attitudes of the British public towards issues of interest to the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) and its funders.
This study provides important information about public attitudes across a range of different subjects. It is used by government departments, academics, charities and consultants to understand what the public thinks.
A number of different government departments and public bodies fund the survey by paying to ask questions.
Your personal data will only be used for research and statistical purposes. This means you will never receive any sales or marketing calls as a result of taking part in the survey.
Participation is not a statutory or contractual requirement.
The legal basis for processing
The legal basis for processing the data is ‘legitimate interest’.
The data controller
The National Centre for Social Research is the data controller for the British Social Attitudes survey.
Sharing your personal information
Your data will not be shared with anyone outside of the research team – your data will not be published. We will share some reports with external clients summarising the top-level findings from the pilot. You will not be identifiable in these reports.
Data retention period
Your survey data, name and contact information will be securely stored and deleted once the pilot findings have been analysed and no later than December 2025.
Contact us
If you have any queries, contact us:
Data Protection Officer
NatCen Social Research
Kings House,
101-135 Kings Rd,
Brentwood
CM14 4LX
Email: dpo@natcen.ac.uk
Data Protection Officers are responsible for upholding your rights and making sure we process your information correctly.
Concerns about how we are using your information
If you have any concerns about the processing of your information, contact the Data Protection Regulator:
Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House,
Water Lane,
Wilmslow,
Cheshire,
SK9 5AF,
Helpline number: 0303 123 1113
Website: www.ico.org.uk