Press coverage

The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed everyday life and seen unprecedented government intervention in the economy and society. Yet the public’s views on welfare, public spending and individual freedoms have scarcely changed since the pandemic began, a new post-lockdown survey by the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) reveals today. However, the government’s decision to spend money on keeping people in jobs, and on increased welfare benefit for those without one, does match a changed public mood that was already in evidence before the pandemic.

A new report published today by the Scottish Centre for Social Research (ScotCen) and whatscotlandthinks.org reveals how the pursuit of Brexit is undermining public support in Scotland for staying in the UK.

A new report, published today by the National Centre for Social Research and whatukthinks.org, finds that while Brexit may be ‘done’ and no longer in the headlines, Britain remains deeply divided on the issue. In particular, even though Labour and the Liberal Democrats are now largely keeping silent on the issue, relatively few Remain voters have so far come to accept the UK’s exit from the EU.

The National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) has today published new research from its 37th annual British Social Attitudes report, charting key trends in public attitudes towards welfare, government spending, national identity and immigration, central issues for society and the economy as Britain navigates the COVID-19 pandemic and its departure from the single market and customs union.

New research from NatCen’s latest British Social Attitudes report reveals striking levels of pessimism in both Scotland and England about current levels of social inequality, but finds that people in Scotland are slightly more ‘left wing’ than in England.