NatCen

The National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) is Britain's leading independent social research organisation.

[ScotCen @ScotCen]

Scotland introduced a Tobacco Retail Register in 2011, one of the first of its kind in the UK. With the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 now providing powers to introduce a similar licensing scheme across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, what can policymakers learn from Scotland's experience?

New ScotCen research, commissioned by Cancer Research UK @CR_UK , draws on stakeholder interviews and a literature review to identify transferable lessons from Scotland's register for the rest of the UK.

👉Read the key findings, policy considerations and full report, here: https://t.co/H5bhZzhpqY

#TobaccoControl #SmokingAndVaping #VapingPolicy #PublicHealth #SocialResearch #Scotland #UK

[NatCen @NatCen]

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝟏𝟗𝟗𝟗?

British Social Attitudes has tracked attitudes to English devolution since 1999.

The data shows that the majority continue to support governance as it is now, with laws made by the UK Parliament. However, support for regional assemblies and an English parliament have also remained relatively stable, suggesting the appetite for change exists, but views on what that change should look like remain divided.

As the #Devolution debate moves back to centre stage, our long-running timeseries offers a useful evidence base for understanding where public opinion stands.

Read the full chapter: https://t.co/5WIp6O6VFF

#BritishSocialAttitudes #Devolution #EnglishDevolution #UKPolitics #SocialResearch

[NatCen @NatCen]

📊 Ten years ago this month, the UK voted to leave the #EuropeanUnion. How have attitudes towards #Brexit changed over the past 10 years?

The British Social Attitudes survey, which has has tracked public opinion on Brexit since before the referendum, shows a picture of:

➡️ growing pessimism about its #Economic impact
➡️ a sense that #Immigration has not fallen as many expected
➡️ declining confidence that leaving has strengthened Britain's independence.

Source: British Social Attitudes survey
🔗 https://t.co/6ELZcCo5AP

#BritishSocialAttitudes #PublicOpinion #PublicAttitudes #UKPolitics #SocialResearch

[ScotCen @ScotCen]

📑 New data published from the #ScottishSocialAttitudes survey

➡️Trust in the Scottish Government to act in Scotland's best interests has dropped from 72% in 2015 to 46% now.

➡️Trust in the UK Government is even lower, at 18%.

Read more of the key findings here: https://t.co/6LpjA5eGQx

[NatCen @NatCen]

Since 2020, British Social Attitudes data show public support for prioritising defence spending has been climbing rapidly. By 2024, it reached 9% — the highest level since we first asked the question in 1983, and more than double where it stood just four years earlier.

The same survey also showed that, in 2024:

📊 40% favour increasing military spending, while 20% support a decrease
📊 Support is deeply shaped by political identity, and – as BSA data shows – Labour supporters are more divided on this issue than supporters of any other party.

Read our full analysis 👇
https://t.co/DJmRf6c7gN

#BritishSocialAttitudes #Defence #UKPolitics #NatCen #PublicAttitudes

[NatCen @NatCen]

𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗼‑𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀? 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝘀𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻.

NatCen’s independent evaluation of upReach examined whether participation in the programme was associated with improved early‑career outcomes. It found that graduates who took part were more likely than similar non‑participants to secure skilled employment, full‑time work and higher earnings.

In a labour market where background continues to shape opportunities, this evidence adds to understanding of what may support more positive graduate outcomes for less advantaged graduates.

Read the full evaluation here: https://t.co/vCzOo4GF4l

#NatCen #Employability #HigherEducation

[NatCen @NatCen]

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our BSA 43: Deep Dive event this morning in-person and online.

NatCen’s second British Social Attitudes output in our new quarterly format, examined what is really driving support for Reform and how public attitudes towards higher education are changing.

Thank you to our wonderful speakers Sir John Curtice @whatukthinks, Alex Scholes @AlexScholes6, Diana Beech and Annabel Denham @AnnabelDenham1, as well as our chair Sara Rajeswaran, for an insightful discussion on what these findings mean for politics, policy and wider society.

As Britain's longest-running measure of public opinion, BSA continues to provide unparalleled insight into how attitudes, values and expectations are evolving across the UK. We look forward to sharing more insights from the latest survey in the months ahead.

#BritishSocialAttitudes #BSA #SocialResearch #PublicOpinion #Policy #HigherEducation #Politics #NatCen #ReformUK

[NatCen @NatCen]

🚨Live now🚨

British Social Attitudes: Deep Dive

This event features in-depth presentations from Sir John Curtice @whatukthinks, on the nature of support for Reform, and from Alex Scholes on shifting attitudes towards Higher Education. This will be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A.

You can join us via Youtube or LinkedIn:

YouTube: https://t.co/nUenQW5ybX

LinkedIn: https://t.co/GOb7Bkinn3

[BBC News (UK) @BBCNews]

Third of people say uni degree not worth it, as student loan inquiry begins https://t.co/caPG7ZO8w2

[NatCen @NatCen]

🎓 #HigherEducation: how many should attend and who should pay?

The latest #BritishSocialAttitudes survey found 34% now believe a university education ‘just isn’t worth the time and money it usually takes’, up from 14% in 2005.

40% think the salary repayment threshold should be higher than the current £27,295 per year, and 48% feel it should be lower, or should not exist at all.

The higher education sector in the UK has changed significantly since 1983 when the #BSA survey started tracking attitudes towards it. Our time series data provides a unique window into how the British public's views have evolved and where they stand today.

For more insights and in-depth discussion on the latest BSA findings, join us tomorrow, 4th June, at Prince Philip House in London or online.

📅 Register here: https://t.co/A13W5agwV4

📖 Read the full chapter: https://t.co/jEmf8tq0nE

[Times Higher Education @timeshighered]

People in England are increasingly sceptical of higher education’s benefits and majority back limits on international students, British Social Attitudes survey shows
https://t.co/EtcQSAUsP1

[NatCen @NatCen]

What are the attitudes of Reform UK supporters?
@whatukthinks joined @SkyNews this morning to explain why dimensions of social conservatism vs social liberalism – rather than the traditional left/right divide – are key to understanding Reform supporters, as explored in our latest British Social Attitudes chapter.

Read the full chapter here: https://t.co/jhp8n95jDc

#BSA43 #BritishSocialAttitudes #UKPolitics

[NatCen @NatCen]

📊New British Social Attitudes research published today

Two new chapters on:

🎓 Higher education – is a degree still worth it? Who should pay? https://t.co/ZK5vpcwY2E

Utilising BSA’s long running time series data, this chapter examines whether attitudes have shifted over the past two decades – from the value of a degree, to tuition fees and who should foot the bill.

🗳️ Who supports Reform UK? – who supports the party and what drives that backing?https://t.co/jhp8n95jDc

This chapter examines the unprecedented rise of Reform UK, exploring the demographics, values, and discontents that shape support for the party.

#BritishSocialAttitudes #NewResearch #UKPolitics #HigherEducation #PublicAttitudes #SocialAttitudes #BSA43

[NatCen @NatCen]

“The latest British Social Attitudes findings tell a story about Reform that goes well beyond the headlines. It is a story about values, identity and a transformation in British politics” - Sir John Curtice, Senior Research Fellow, NatCen.

As Britain’s political landscape continues to shift, the latest British Social Attitudes research offers deeper insight into the values and attitudes shaping voter behaviour today. Join us on Thursday 4 June, in-person or online, for the latest British Social Attitudes 43: Deep Dive.

This launch will explore:
1️⃣ Attitudes towards higher education
2️⃣ What drives Reform voters?

Register here - https://t.co/rD7NNbxigx

#BSA43 #BritishSocialAttitudes #Politics #HigherEducation #ReformUK

[NatCen @NatCen]

We’re just one week away from our British Social Attitudes 43 event - join us in-person or online on Thursday 4 June.

We’ll be exploring two key chapters:
1️⃣ Attitudes towards higher education
2️⃣ What drives Reform voters?

🎤 Speakers include:
• Sir John Curtice, Senior Research Fellow, NatCen
• Alex Scholes, Research Director, NatCen
• Professor Diana Beech, Director of the Finsbury Institute, City St George’s
• Annabel Denham, Columnist and Senior Political Commentator, The Telegraph
• Sara Rajeswaran, Trustee, NatCen

Register here: https://t.co/rD7NNbxigx

#BritishSocialAttitudes #BSA43 #UKPolitics #HigherEducation #SocialResearch

[NatCen @NatCen]

"Fixing the NHS or growing the economy may not be enough to reverse Reform's rise. British Social Attitudes research explains why and the findings should give every party pause for thought." - Sir John Curtice, Senior Research Fellow, NatCen

To hear more about the public attitudes and political shifts behind these findings, join us on Thursday 4 June, in London or online, for the latest British Social Attitudes 43 deep dive.

This launch will explore:
1️⃣ Attitudes towards higher education
2️⃣ What drives Reform voters?

A timely discussion on the changing political and social landscape in Britain.

Register here - https://t.co/rD7NNbxigx

#BSA43 #BritishSocialAttitudes #Politics #HigherEducation #ReformUK