Ipsos Research Highlights - September 2016
As we head into Autumn, Britain remains in a state of “phoney war” – the economists’ and bankers’ predictions of a slow down have not yet been noticed by consumers, who are now more positive about the near term each month, although input prices are up by 8% for manufacturers, and consumer concern about price rises is mounting. Currently Theresa May’s honeymoon continues, with no sign of the public changing their mind about Jeremy Corbyn.
On Brexit, both Remain and Leave voters show no sign of “Bregret”, but are also diametrically opposed over trade offs between single market access and free movement of people; someone is going to be disappointed in due course. At an event I was at recently, with Boris Johnson, the UK Foreign Secretary, the Italian minister listening simply said “There is no chance Boris will get everything he wants”!
Elsewhere this month we look at consumer attitudes to animal testing – where there is support if its necessary, and on beauty and grooming we explore the pressure women and men feel to be well presented, and possible future changes in attitudes, with a quarter of men expecting make up to become the norm for them in future!
While immigration remains a key concern in Britain, this month we have the highest concern about housing in 40 years, and in London, a centre of building frenzy, increasing concern about the over 400 towers now under construction. Six out of ten Londoners want restrictions on where towers are built. At the same time in Britain as a whole, 88% agree there is a housing crisis and acceptability of house building is rising.
Finally despite our anxieties, 60% of us would rather be British than any other country on earth, and we are proud of the NHS and our monarchy (but not business – only 4% of us think British business makes them proud). Personally our best points are our sense of humour, manners and tolerance, but we are ashamed of our drinking, ignorance of other cultures and constant complaining…
I’ll stop there. There’s much more inside. Ben Page Chief Executive Ipsos
