Search
-
Understanding Society 2022: What is the real cost of the cost of living crisis?
This edition of Understanding Society covers a diverse and varied array of topics relating to the cost-of-living crisis, and how the rising costs have been affecting British society. Ipsos researchers consider food insecurity, sustainable living, the housing market, generational divides, and much more.
-
Mission critical – Levelling Up, a balancing act
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak gave a ‘cast-iron commitment’ to prioritise levelling up in his first PMQs. In the face of an economic situation requiring ‘eye-wateringly difficult decisions’, what hope do the public have that living standards, high streets, and public services will prosper in the coming years? The public are pessimistic about delivery but the appetite for action is unlikely to lessen.
-
From the cost of living to sustainable living
A greener lifestyle is often seen as expensive but is the cost of living crisis changing this? Our research shows that UK households plan to make environmentally friendly changes due to, not despite of, the rising costs. These changes create opportunities to tackle two key concerns together and the public don't always see a trade-off. How can Government and businesses make the most of this and change the narrative to “it is cheap being green”? And what are the implications for encouraging sustainable behaviour change?
-
Cost of living crisis in Northern Ireland: a consumer journey
Consumers in Northern Ireland are being impacted by rising costs, at a time when they already have the lowest gross weekly income compared to the UK average. Captured through interviews and video diaries, the real-life journeys in this article show how affordability permeates all aspects of the consumer experience and highlights how people are making difficult financial decisions and sacrifices with their food shopping behaviours. With the prospect of a second Northern Ireland Assembly election within a year, we reflect on the challenges any future Executive faces in delivering for the people of Northern Ireland.
-
An economist's take: Interview with Dr Linda Yueh
Through an economist's lens, Dr Linda Yueh shares her take on key challenges of the cost of living crisis, thoughts on economic policy and growth, and some possible glimmers of good news.
Dr Linda Yueh is an economist at Oxford University and London Business School, and the author of The Great Economists: How Their Ideas Can Help Us Today. -
Food insecurity: too much to stomach
The price of food is up by 16.4% from last year – the largest uplift since the 1980s. Two in five (39%) are now worried about affording food next month. Shoppers are being savvier by switching supermarkets and buying essential ranges, but these are temporary fixes and unlikely to help everyone. The poorest households and those with children are being hit the hardest, as they are more likely to be skipping meals and suffering the health consequences. The government has already published the Food Strategy White Paper, but while policy proposals have been forward looking, is enough being done now?
-
What is the real cost of the cost of living crisis?
The cost of living crisis takes many forms. There’s the national crisis, the political crisis and the social crisis. In each case, social research has a vital role to play in exploring what rising prices mean for individuals and different groups, as we ultimately seek to answer: what is the real cost of the cost of living crisis?
-
Paying a price for rural living
When the cost of energy, fuel, transport and goods go up it leads to specific challenges in rural areas, putting rural inequality into sharp focus. As such, there’s overwhelming concern about the rising cost of living among people living in the Highlands and Islands. Residents need to cope with increasing prices on top of existing additional costs on everyday life in the region. We explore why reliable and timely evidence on the impact of the cost of living crisis in different parts of the UK is fundamental for better policymaking.
-
Foreword
Welcome to the 2022 edition of Ipsos Understanding Society from Trinh Tu, Managing Director, Public Affairs.
-
Ipsos Update – December 2022
Inflation, environmental sustainability, the future of mobility… Ipsos Update explores the latest and greatest research & thinking on key topics from Ipsos around the world.