National Centre for Social Research

NatCen was delighted to attend both the Labour and Conservative Party Conferences this year, sharing insights from the latest 2026 British Social Attitudes survey. At Labour Conference, we partnered with @ippr.org to host Welfare Under Fire: Understanding British Social Attitudes.

𝗔𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗺𝗮𝗻, Shadow Minister for Work & Pensions 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗱, Director of Policy, Research and Impact at the Trussell Trust. 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗶 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗿, Commissioning Editor, The Spectator (Chair) 𝗝𝗼𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗣, Isle of Wight East

𝗥𝘆𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲, Executive Chair, Bright Blue 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝘅 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀 Research Director, Attitudinal Surveys and NatCen Opinion Panel

Thanks to all our speakers, partners and attendees for joining two thought-provoking discussions. Together, they highlighted the value of robust social research in informing public debate and policymaking.

𝗥𝘁 𝗛𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗺𝘀 𝗠𝗣, Minister for Equalities 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗧𝗼𝘆𝗻𝗯𝗲𝗲, Columnist, The Guardian 𝗦𝗶𝗿 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 𝗖𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲, Senior Research Fellow, NatCen 𝗛𝗲𝗻𝗿𝘆 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘀, Head of Work, Social Security and Living Standards, IPPR (Chair)

At Conservative Conference, we partnered with @brightblueuk.bsky.social to host The Future of Welfare: What Does the Public Want?

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲? In the latest 𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗦 podcast, @markeaston1.bsky.social explores shifting attitudes to cannabis, including legalisation, perceived harms and public opinion. 🎧 Listen now: natcen.ac.uk/attitudes-ca... #Cannabis #PublicOpinion #SocialResearch

We're proud to see the Independent Review into Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism, chaired by Professor Peter Fonagy, draw extensively on evidence from two landmark studies delivered by NatCen: the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey and Mental Health of Children and Young People in England.

Thanks to our NatCen leads 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝗺𝘀𝗲 𝗦𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗵 and 𝗦𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗵 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘀, and to our collaborators at the @uniofleicester.bsky.social and @citystgeorges.bsky.social whose expertise and partnership have made this work possible as well as to @england.nhs.uk, who commissioned both studies.

𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 - www.gov.uk/government/p... 𝗔𝗣𝗠𝗦 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆 - natcen.ac.uk/publications... 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 - digital.nhs.uk/data-and-inf... #MentalHealth #ADHD #Autism #SocialResearch

Seeing robust, independent research contribute to such an important review demonstrates the value of high-quality social research in helping decision-makers better understand some of the most pressing issues facing society today.

𝗔𝗜 𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲. 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗱. As new technologies become part of everyday life, people are weighing the potential benefits against concerns around privacy, fairness and accountability. 🎧 Listen now. natcen.ac.uk/attitudes-ai

𝗜𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝘁? Public confidence in higher education is shifting. In the latest episode of 𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗦, Mark Easton explores what's behind these changing views and what they tell us about Britain's relationship with higher education. 🎧 Listen now: natcen.ac.uk/attitudes-un...

@markeaston1.bsky.social

Following the Prime Minister's announcement of a national commission on electoral reform, the UK's voting system is once again under scrutiny.

While opinion has cooled slightly over the last year, a majority of the public still favour changing the voting system, compared with 40% who support retaining First Past the Post.

As the debate continues, the data offers an important benchmark for understanding how public attitudes towards electoral reform are evolving. Read the full report here: natcen.ac.uk/publications... #BritishSocialAttitudes #ElectoralReform #Democracy #PublicOpinion #SocialResearch

Following the Prime Minister's announcement of a national commission on electoral reform, the UK's voting system is once again under scrutiny.

NatCen's British Social Attitudes data shows support for electoral reform remains higher than at any point before 2021. Support peaked at 60% in 2024, in the immediate aftermath of the most disproportionate election result in modern British history, before easing to 53% in 2025.

Introducing 𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗦, NatCen’s podcast exploring the ideas and opinions shaping Britain through social research. Hosted by 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻, episodes on 𝗔𝗜 and 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 examine public attitudes, opportunities and challenges. Listen now at natcen.ac.uk/podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.

@markeaston1.bsky.social

sciencedirect.comScienceDirectAll content on this site: Copyright © 2026 Elsevier B.V., its licensors, and contributors. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies. For all open access content, the relevant licensing terms apply.

📢 New from our climate-health research: how do street vendors, porters and motorbike-taxi riders adapt to Vietnam's extreme weather? Read the open-access paper in Global Environmental Change:

🎙️ Coming soon: ATTITUDES Hosted by Mark Easton, the podcast explores the ideas, opinions and trends shaping Britain today. From politics and public services to identity, values and social change, each episode explores what people in Britain really think and why it matters. 🎧 Launching soon.

15 Sept

Thank you to everyone who joined us, both in person and online, for the 𝗦𝗶𝗿 𝗥𝗼𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗝𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲. A special thank you to @bobbyduffy.bsky.social and Lovisa Möller Vallgårda. If you were unable to join us, you can watch the recording here: natcen.ac.uk/events/sir-r...

@citystgeorges.bsky.social, @the-sra.org.uk

15 Sept

14 Sept

Revisit findings from the latest #BritishSocialAttitudes chapter on Artificial intelligence, co-authored by researchers from @adalovelaceinst.bsky.social and @theturing.bsky.social, using NatCen Panel data. 🧵1/3

14 Sept

👉 The research found that support for AI regulation spans the political divide and that around 7 in 10 people would feel more comfortable with AI technologies if they were governed by laws and regulations. 2/3

14 Sept

👉 It also found that many people want humans, as well as machines, to remain accountable for decisions made using AI, particularly in high-impact areas such as justice and welfare. 📑 Read the full chapter at the link below 👇 : natcen.ac.uk/publications... 3/3

11 Sept

.#BritishSocialAttitudes has tracked views on assisted dying for three decades. As parliamentarians return to this debate, see what the BSA has been showing for the past three decades ⬇️

11 Sept

BSA data shows that support remains high for assisted dying where someone has an incurable and painful illness and is expected to die within the next few months (79%). ⬇️

natcen.ac.ukBSA 43 | A first look | National Centre for Social ResearchThis report is an initial early release and examination of some of the key findings of the most recent survey conducted in September and October 2025.

11 Sept

Support for assisted dying 'for a person with an incurable and painful illness who will not die', has increased since the mid-1990s, reaching 62% in 2025. Read more, from our February report: natcen.ac.uk/publications... #BSA #BritishSocialAttitudes #AssistedDying

lawrencedunhill.bsky.social

10 Sept

Thank you to everyone who joined us, both in person and online, for yesterday’s 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝘀 | 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻’𝘀 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗡𝗲𝘁 event. If you were unable to join us, you can watch the recording here: natcen.ac.uk/events/briti... #BritishSocialAttitudes #BSA #SocialResearch #Welfare #NHS

National Centre for Social Research reposted

@lawrencedunhill.bsky.social

9 Sept

Headline NHS chart in the newly published British Social Attitudes survey. Bleak picture since Covid- with worsening elective waits, GP shortages & A&E delays Latest data shows Satisfaction levels have stopped getting worse, at least… @natcen.bsky.social

9 Sept

Our latest #BritishSocialAttitudes analysis examines how attitudes to welfare and disability benefits have changed over time, against the backdrop of recent debates around welfare reform. Read the full report: natcen.ac.uk/publications...

natcen.ac.ukBritish Social Attitudes | Britain's safety net: public attitudes towards welfare and the NHS | National Centre for Social ResearchThe launch of our latest British Social Attitudes research

9 Sept

🗓️ Sign-up for the launch event Hear from the authors and guest speakers as they provide further insights into the findings. Find out more: natcen.ac.uk/events/briti...

4 Sept

As Reform UK supporters gather for their annual conference, our latest British Social Attitudes analysis by Sir John Curtice suggests Reform support is not simply a temporary protest. It reflects deeper attitudes and values. Read our report to understand more: natcen.ac.uk/publications... #BSA

2 Sept

📢 𝟭 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗼! Join us on 9 September, with 𝗦𝗶𝗿 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 𝗖𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 and 𝗗𝗿 𝗥𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗱𝗲 𝗩𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 exploring the findings on public attitudes towards the NHS and welfare. 📍 One Great George Street, London | Online Register here: natcen.ac.uk/events/briti... #BritishSocialAttitudes #SocialResearch #Welfare

26 Aug

𝗕𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝘀 | 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻’𝘀 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝘁: 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗛𝗦 Join us on 9 September for '𝗪𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗛𝗦 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿?' 📍One Great George Street, London | Online Register here: natcen.ac.uk/events/briti...

24 Aug

Our #BSA data offers context on how the public views today's geopolitical landscape. Russia is now the country most widely seen as a serious threat to world peace. The proportion of people holding this view has risen from 𝟰𝟭% 𝗶𝗻 𝟭𝟵𝟵𝟰 to 𝟵𝟬% 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱. Read the report: natcen.ac.uk/publications...

24 Aug

𝗕𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻’𝘀 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝘁: 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗛𝗦 Join us on 9 September as we launch new research on attitudes towards disability benefits and the NHS. Hear from speakers as they unpack the findings. In-person and online Register: natcen.ac.uk/events/briti...

14 Aug

𝗕𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝟰𝟯 | 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻'𝘀 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗡𝗲𝘁: 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗛𝗦 The speakers shaping the conversation at our upcoming event: Sir John Curtice, Dr Robert de Vries, Avnee Morjaria and Leonora Merry Register here: natcen.ac.uk/events/briti...

12 Aug

NatCen's Five to Twelve study is helping inform government policy on educational inequality. Following children through their primary school years, the study provides robust evidence needed to meaningfully inform policy and practice. 🔗 Read more: natcen.ac.uk/publications...

12 Aug

We look forward to continuing this important work for The Department for Education alongside our partners at NFER and NCB.

3 Aug

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿, 𝗦𝗶𝗿 𝗥𝗼𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗝𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹. @bobbyduffy.bsky.social will explore "The Generation Myth: Separating fact from fiction in the demographic debate" 🗓️ 10 September 2026 🕕 18:00–19:30 📍 Bayes Business School | Online 🔗 Register: natcen.ac.uk/events/sir-r...

@citystgeorges.bsky.social, @the-sra.org.uk

11 Aug

11 Aug

𝗦𝗶𝗿 𝗥𝗼𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗝𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 Professor @bobbyduffy.bsky.social will deliver this year’s lecture, chaired by Lovisa Moller Vallgarda of NatCen. 📅 Thursday 10 September 2026 🕕 18:00-19:30 📍 Bayes Business School, London, and online natcen.ac.uk/events/sir-r...

@citystgeorges.bsky.social, @the-sra.org.uk

11 Aug