Ipsos Research Highlights - July 2015

This month we have been reflecting in particular on how much, and how little, things have changed since 1975, as part of Ipsos’ 40th anniversary.

Some are huge – back in 1975, only 43% of the UK had central heating, now everyone has a mobile and 73% have smartphones with internet access (up from only 43% in three years).

Attitudes to homosexuality have moved from opposed to relaxed, whereas on the EU, there is no change: 67% voted to stay in the EU in 1975 – identical to the 66% who tell us they will vote to do so now. One area where attitudes are changing is end of life – where there is support for doctors helping people die with their consent in many countries, as we report here.

Elsewhere we look at economic confidence in the UK, which is rising faster than anywhere else in the G8, expectations of further house price rises and support for new housebuilding – if it is visually attractive.

With our armed forces constantly in the news, our latest Perils of Perception survey shows we over-estimate PTSD and homelessness among the armed forces. We also look at growing awareness of smartwatches and wearables.

We’ve included invitations to three events we are holding in July – on financial literacy, on the art of getting consumer attention in the right way at the right time (with Google and others) and on what happened at the UK election – details inside.

I hope to see you at one or more of these.

As always your thoughts and suggestions are always helpful.

All best Ben Page Chief Executive, Ipsos