Ipsos Research Highlights - 30 April 2021

Britons believe the government is relaxing coronavirus restrictions at the right speed as economic optimism rises again

Half (51%) think the economy will get better over the next 12 months. This has increased by eight points this month, making it the fastest climb in consumer confidence we have ever measured. This confidence is also mirrored in the journey out of lockdown, as 67% of Britons think the restrictions are easing at the right speed. Just one in five (21%) say that the restrictions are being lifted too quickly but only 9% think it is acting too slowly.

Boris Johnson seen as less trustworthy than Keir Starmer, but David Cameron receives the lowest ratings of all

Just a third (35%) of Britons trust Boris Johnson, whereas at 42% trust opposition leader Keir Starmer. Among their own supporters, 69% describe Boris Johnson as trustworthy (vs 26% who do not), and 60% of Labour supporters trust Keir Starmer (33% do not). Only 36% are satisfied with Keir Starmer compared to 44% who are satisfied with the Prime Minister and Government. The slow increase of the Labour leaders dissatisfaction from 35% in February to now 39%, may mean he still has work to do. Most people believe MPs put their own interests or that of their party first, rather than the interests of their constituents or country – as has been the case for many years. 

Majority of Britons want to give vaccines to India, but not if it leads to delays in the UK vaccine rollout

With India having a surge in COVID-19 cases, 63% of Britons say they support sending vaccines to there once everyone here has been vaccinated. A third of Britons are even happy for the UK to send vaccines if it means there would be a delay in the UK's vaccination program. We have seen an uptake in support for sharing vaccines, as now 68% agree that Britain should pass on extra vaccines, compared to 54% in February. 

Number of people completely following COVID-19 restrictions falls, especially among 55-75-year olds

With the public getting to grips with the relaxing of some COVID-19 restrictions, only 35% say they are following the rules completely. This has dropped considerably among those aged 55-75 from 58% in January to now 40% – which may be down to the success of the vaccine roll-out with those age groups. The majority of the public feel comfortable meeting people outside their household, (77%), shopping (66%) and returning to work (58%). 

In other news

Ahead of the Holyrood Election in May, Ipsos Scotland will be keeping up with the research, polls and trends.

Views on the UK Government’s handling of the pandemic vary across the 4 nations of the UK, with half of those in Scotland and Northern Ireland believe that they’ve handled the pandemic badly.

Our survey for the World Economic Forum finds that about three in four adults globally agree that COVID-19 vaccine passports should be required for travel. 

Almost 9 in 10 Britons know about the European Super League proposals, and we found widespread disapproval across Europe. 

As ever, please do let us know what you think, and I hope you find something to interest you.

Ben Page
Chief Executive, Ipsos
[email protected]