Understanding Society: Putting the Place into Public Services
In a political landscape grappling with economic shifts and evolving public needs, understanding how to effectively deliver vital public services is paramount. With three-quarters of the public reporting a decline in these services over the past five years, the need for change is undeniable. But with pressure on the public purse, how can the government deliver tangible improvements for voters, and avoid the blame for lack of progress shifting from the previous government to their door?
Ipsos' latest Understanding Society: Putting the Place into Public Services provides crucial insights for policymakers getting to grips with this complex landscape. We combine robust place-based data analysis with in-depth understanding of public perception to offer actionable insights.
Visit our interactive Understanding Society site to explore 8 interactive MRP (Multilevel Regression and Poststratification) maps, based on interviews with 20,000+ UK adults via Ipsos UK’s online random probability KnowledgePanel.
The maps reveal public satisfaction levels across the UK for:
- Quality of life
- Community cohesion
- Education
- Health services
- Housing
- Jobs
- Policing
- Public transport
Accompanying the data is expert analysis from Ipsos’ public affairs research experts, who uncover the reasons behind public dissatisfaction with public services and quality of life, reveal the stark reality of geographical inequalities in public service satisfaction across the UK, and provide policy insights tailored to specific local challenges while aligning with national priorities.
For optimal experience, we recommend browsing the maps on desktop.
We encourage you to explore the findings of this impactful project here.
Commenting on the findings, Trinh Tu, UK Managing Director of Public Affairs at Ipsos, said:
Our latest state of the nation research highlights the significant challenge facing the Labour government in delivering on its promise to improve public services while simultaneously promising radical reforms. Public patience is wearing thin due to the perceived lack of progress in improving public services. This dissatisfaction is most acute in the UK's most deprived areas, highlighting the stark geographical inequality that continues to beset the nation. The government must move beyond promises and deliver tangible improvements within this electoral cycle. This is especially important because our data also shows that perceptions of progress in public services do not always align with actual service delivery. A myriad of factors can influence public opinion, making it crucial for the government to understand the reality of service provision at a local level. To achieve this, they need to understand both national priorities and the unique, local challenges faced by different communities. This means working closely with local partners who have a real stake to ensure resources are directed effectively and interventions are tailored to specific local needs.
