British social attitudes -- the 24th report

Latest report shows the changing values of the British public

Los Angeles, London, New Delhi and Singapore (23 January 2008) – The cultural standpoint of the British public towards the traditional family unit, equal opportunities in the workplace, poverty, citizenship and national identity are among the central themes in the latest British Social Attitudes report – the leading social research survey in Britain, published today by SAGE.

The annual research is carried out by Britain's largest independent social research organisation, the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen). The report presents and describes the results of a nationwide survey of over 3000 randomly selected adults, together with expert analysis from Britain’s foremost social researchers.

Speaking ahead of an official launch today, NatCen researchers commented that the results of the latest survey reflect a population that is undergoing rapid social change, showing greater liberal attitudes towards relationships and increased social responsibility. However they added there may also be wide-reaching implications for government and policy makers, with less sympathy towards the poor and increased public apathy towards politics.

Key findings:

Marriage and cohabitation

• People’s views on marriage are more liberal than they were 20 years ago, with 70% of people thinking there is nothing wrong with sex before marriage. However attitudes are more traditional towards parenting, particularly where less conventional arrangements are involved such as single or gay parents.

• There is widespread confusion about what protection cohabiting couples have under the law, with 51% of people thinking (incorrectly) that there is such a thing as ‘common law marriage’, despite government-funded media campaigns.

Social responsibility

• 80% of people think that current levels of car use are having a serious impact on climate change. And 45% of drivers are both willing and able to reduce their car use. However 23% of people think everyone should be able to use their cars as much as they like, even if it damages the environment.

• Attitudes towards the poor are less sympathetic, with 35% believing that the government should spend more money on welfare benefits for the poor, down from 55% in 1986.

National identity

• There is a shift towards national (rather than state) identity associations, particularly in Scotland. Only 13% of people born and living in England, and 3% of people born and living in Scotland, describe themselves as ‘only’ or ‘mainly’ British: 73% of Scottish natives would describe themselves as being ‘only’ or ‘mainly’ Scottish.

• Around one in four people (22%) born and living in England think that an English Parliament would be the best way to govern England.

With survey findings dating back to 1983, the reports are the most comprehensive review of changing British social values available. The 24th report provides an indispensable guide to political and social issues in contemporary Britain, and is essential reading for anyone seeking a guide to the topical issues and debates of today or engaged in contemporary social and political research.

British Social Attitudes The 24th Report is published today (23rd January 2008) by SAGE. Available in hardcover, £50.00. ISBN: 9781412947749. For further information visit http://www.sagepub.co.uk/booksProdDesc.nav?prodId=Book231969.

To request a review copy of this publication contact reviews@sagepub.co.uk

SAGE is a leading international publisher of journals, books, and electronic media for academic, educational, and professional markets. Since 1965, SAGE has helped inform and educate a global community of scholars, practitioners, researchers, and students spanning a wide range of subject areas including business, humanities, social sciences, and science, technology and medicine. An independent company, SAGE has principal offices in Los Angeles, London, New Delhi, and Singapore. www.sagepub.co.uk

NatCen is Britain’s largest independent social research organisation which aims to promote a better informed society through high quality social research. www.natcen.ac.uk

The British Social Attitudes survey is funded by charitable and government sources. The funders of the questions in this Report were: the Gatsby Charitable Foundation; the Economic and Social Research Council; the Nuffield Foundation; The Leverhulme Trust; the Hera Trust; the Departments for Health, Transport, and Work and Pensions; the Department for Education and Skills (now split into the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills); and the Department of Trade and Industry (now part of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform).