Government Delivery Index

More of the public are optimistic about the government's policies for improving the economy since May 2002, according to MORI's quarterly Delivery Index research for The Financial Times published today. The survey, undertaken between 25th and 28th February shows that 43% of the public agree that "in the long term, this government's policies will improve the state of Britain's economy". This represents a three point increase since last November and an eleven point increase from New Labour's low in July 2003.

However, exactly the same proportion of people disagree that the government's policies will improve the economy, which gives a "net improve" score of 0. While this is an improvement over previous months it is somewhat lower than the net score of +12 measured by MORI in March 2001 and much down on the +31 score first measured in June 1997 one month after Labour's election victory.

The Ipsos Government Delivery Index also shows the public are slightly more positive about the government's policies on public services as compared to November last year. However, a majority of people remain pessimistic and there is little sign that the government can regain the levels of public confidence for improving key public services it once enjoyed.

• MORI interviewed 963 British adults 18+
• Fieldwork conducted by telephone between 25-28 February 2005
• Data weighted to the national population profile
• An '*' indicates a finding of less than 0.5%, but greater than zero
• Where percentages do not add up to exactly 100% this may be due to computer rounding, the exclusion of "don't knows" or to multiple answers

On balance do you agree or disagree that...

Q1 In the long term, this government's policies will improve the state of Britain's economy?

Q2 In the long term, this government's policies will improve the state of Britain's public services?

Q3-7 Thinking about... over the next few years do you expect it to...?