Ipsos Research Highlights - April 2022
In our latest Ipsos Research Highlights we explore reactions to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, concern about the economy, and reflections on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ipsos Issues Index: January 2022
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, our Issues Index saw concern about foreign affairs and defence jump to the top as Britain’s biggest concern at 35%. Almost two years on from the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic concern about coronavirus continues to fall with only 16% mentioning it as a top concern. Economic issues and worries about inflation are the second-biggest concerns.
Ipsos poll shows economic optimism falls to lowest since 2008 financial crash
Economic optimism has dropped sharply with 76% think the economy will worsen in the next 12 months. It is now comparable with the worst scores we have ever recorded in over 40 years even compared to 2008 financial crash where it was 75%. Economic optimism is weaker than at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. 69% expected the economy to worsen over the next year in March 2020.
Public trust Conservatives more than Labour on defence
British public trust the Conservatives more than Labour on defence by a 2:1 margin. Forty-six per cent of Britons are satisfied with the way the UK Government is handling the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Looking specifically at the politicians, around 4 in 10 disapprove of the way Boris Johnson is handling the Russian invasion. Opinion is similar for Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, with 39% approving and 27% disapproving.
Two-thirds of Britons do not trust the Conservatives to reduce the cost of living
The public are more likely to trust the Labour Party to manage Britain’s taxes and public spending (41%) and reduce their cost of living (40%), Following the Spring statement, just 1 in 5 Britons have confidence that Sunak will change the economy for the better in future (down 4 points from October). They are most likely to see it as a bad thing for people on low incomes (51%), pensioners (46%), young people (39%),
In other news
Our research with the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership at King’s College London, for International Women’s Day last month finds that there we still have some way to go. You can watch my conversation with Theresa May and Julia Gillard here.
With the end of COVID restrictions and with concern continuing to decline, we’ve looked at how has the UK and people's lives changed over these two years. Thirty one per cent say they are feeling lonelier now than before the pandemic
On the day the House of Lords considers an assisted dying amendment to the Health and Social Care Bill we found 7 in 10 Britons support assisted dying
As ever, please do let us know what you think, and I hope you find something to interest you.
Kelly Beaver
Chief Executive, Ipsos
[email protected]