Local Government

The latest Deloitte / MORI Delivery Index shows a rise in optimism over the economy and public services after the General Election, continuing the steady upward trend since 2003. For the first time since May 2002, people are more positive than negative about the government's long-term economic policies, and the proportion of optimists has risen from 43% in February to 47% after the election.

There is unmet demand for e-Government services in England according to research carried out by the MORI Social Research Institute for the e-Citizen National Project. In particular there are two key groups of citizens who show potential interest in using e-Government services. These groups have been identified using advanced statistical analysis of data from a survey of 4,100 citizens conducted on the MORI Omnibus.

e-Democracy is a relatively new undertaking for many councils according to research carried out by the MORI Social Research Institute on behalf of the Local e-Democracy National Project. Only one in five (19%) so far have a written e-democracy strategy in place, although a further third (36%) do have plans to draw up a strategy. Whilst there is a great deal of interest in harnessing the potential of technology, there is a wide divergence amongst local authorities in terms of current practice and the level of investment in e-democracy. There is also a significant gap between what is available offline and what has been made available online.

More of the public are optimistic about the government's policies for improving the economy since May 2002, according to MORI's quarterly Delivery Index research for The Financial Times published today. The survey, undertaken between 25th and 28th February shows that 43% of the public agree that "in the long term, this government's policies will improve the state of Britain's economy". This represents a three point increase since last November and an eleven point increase from New Labour's low in July 2003.

A new report published today shows that whilst most people have a strong aspiration to have a say in how the country is run, many doubt that political participation is the best way to do so. According to research conducted by MORI for The Electoral Commission and Hansard Society's second annual Audit of political engagement, two-thirds of the public (67%) want to have a say in how the country is run, but only 27% at the moment feel that they do have a say.

Although awareness of public appointments remains low in the UK, there have been some improvements since 2000 according to research by MORI. The research, commissioned by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA), shows one in five people (21%) say they have confidence in the system in place in this country.

The 2004 Annual London Survey carried out by MORI for the GLA shows that Londoners are generally positive about life in the Capital. There is good news on the environment, where litter, noise and air quality are seen to be less of a problem than a year ago and over the past five years. Three people in four say they are satisfied, with only about one in 10 (11%) dissatisfied.

The results of the fifth Ipsos survey of Londoners have now been released. The survey, for the GLA, asks Londoners to review their attitudes to, and experiences of, living in the capital. Some of the topics covered include the best and worst aspects of London life, satisfaction with their local community and the cost of living.

MORI's latest research for the Local Government Association shows local government sees inspection and audit as drivers of council performance. However they also want to see inspection massively reduced and reshaped: most councils feel inspection does not provide value for money and lacks a strategic orientation. Focusing on outcomes and targets instead of processes, and on fewer, more strategic areas, is considered the way forward.