Headline results from the January-February 2012 survey
- The majority of respondents were relatively sceptical of the performance of the UK economy and the financial situation of their households in the medium term, but more positive about performance over the longer term.
- In comparison to results from similar questions asked previously, respondents showed increased support for greater government spending on pensions, health care and education.
- Across many areas of spending where there has been support for cuts in spending previously, for example police, courts and prisons, transport, housing and community amenities, and waste management, this support has dissipated.
- The only area of government spending where there is consistent support for cuts in government spending is aid to developing countries, although this support is not as strong in comparison to November 2010.
- In relation to UK and global household incomes, the average respondent positioned their household income at 55 per cent of the UK average and 69 per cent of the global average.
- A majority of respondents thought that poverty had increased in the UK over the past 10 years. The most important factor in determining poverty was deemed to be lack of education.
For an extended overview of the results as a PDF file click here.
