Devolution

On 4 November 2004 there will be a referendum in the North-East of England on whether or not to have an elected regional assembly for the region. The latest MORI research on behalf of the Northern Echo looks at the knowledge of the referendum process, likelihood of voting, and attitudes towards an elected regional assembly. Among the key findings are:

MORE than two thirds of British people (69%) think it unfair to tax a person's estate after their death, according to new research from MORI. The survey, for Friends Provident, looks at views on inheritance tax, it's fairness as a means of generating tax revenues, and whether the current threshold (£263,000) is considered correct. Most people (57%) think the threshold should be raised and two thirds (67%) believe a 'banding' system should be introduced, so that smaller amounts attract a lower rate and larger sums a higher rate.

On balance do you agree or disagree that…

British people want to see reform in public services, but have mixed views on choice, according to new research from MORI Social Research Institute. The survey, for the Radio 4 'Today' programme, shows that when asked to choose between two policy statements, more than half (53%) of British people preferred the statement 'Paying more taxes to ensure a good quality hospital near your home'. Meanwhile, just over two in five (43%) opted for the statement 'Having no increase in taxes but a choice of receiving treatment in a hospital anywhere in the country'.

On balance do you agree or disagree that…

MORI has just completed a major research project for The Boundary Committee for England. Some 17,000 residents in the north of England have been asked about the possible future pattern of unitary local government in the area.

This week the Electoral Commission and the Hansard Society published a report seeking to audit the nature and extent of the UK public's political engagement, to be used to provide a platform for further debate about what might be done to enhance engagement in politics and the political process. The report is primarily based on a Political Engagement Poll conducted by the MORI Social Research Institute of 1,976 UK adults aged 18+ conducted in December 2003.

On balance do you agree or disagree that…

MORI's research for the Electoral Commission is published this week