Most people in Britain condemn the release from prison of Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali Mohmet al-Megrahi and want the British government to investigate the decision, a new Angus Reid Public Opinion poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample of 1,992 British adults, three quarters of respondents (75%) oppose the release of Megrahi, a Libyan national, which was conceded on compassionate grounds by the Scottish government citing the prisoner’s poor health condition.

Megrahi had been diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer and was serving a life sentence with a minimum term of 27 years for his role in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over the Scottish town of Lockerbie in December 1988.

Many Britons (41%) believe that the Scottish government’s decision to let Megrahi out of prison has something to do with the commercial interests of the British oil company BP, which has major operations in Libya.

Two thirds of respondents (65%) want the British Government to launch an investigation into Megrahi’s release. Notably, while support for a government investigation into this case is high across Britain, it is lower in London (59%) and Scotland (53%).

Respondents in Scotland are also more likely than others to support the original decision to allow Megrahi leave jail (31%, compared to less than 23% elsewhere in Britain).

Consult our August 2009 poll on Megrahi’s release here.

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CONTACT:

Andy Morris, Research Director, London
+ 44-207-065-7272
andy.morris@angus-reid.com

Methodology: From July 20 to July 23, 2010, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 1,992 randomly selected British adults who are Springboard UK panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 2.2%. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region data to ensure samples representative of the entire adult population of Great Britain. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

The introduction of the “Big Society” policy did not provide a clear boost to the approval numbers of David Cameron, a new Angus Reid Public Opinion poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative sample of 1,992 British adults, 53 per cent of respondents approve of the performance of Cameron as Prime Minister (-1 since June). More than a third of respondents (35%, +3) disapprove of Cameron.

As was the case last month, the Conservative leader gets his best numbers in the South of England (58%) and the worst reviews in Scotland (31%).

The approval rating for Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg stands at 47 per cent, down three points since June. The Liberal Democrat leader is also more popular in the South of England (51%) and not as well-liked in Scotland (29%).

The “Big Society” Policy

Almost half of Britons (47%) agree with the “Big Society” policy presented by Cameron on 19 July, while 35 per cent disagree. The policy calls for communities across the country to take over responsibility for specific services and duties, such as local transport and libraries. The Government would establish the “Big Society Bank” and rely on funds from dormant bank accounts to finance community groups and charities.

A majority of respondents (53%) believe the “Big Society” policy will allow people to help themselves instead of relying on officials. However, a similar proportion (54%) think the policy will lead to more service cuts and more jobs lost.

Respondents in Scotland are less likely than all others to regard the “Big Society” policy as something that allows people to help themselves (43%) and more likely to predict cuts and unemployment (68%).

Overall, at least three-in-ten Britons believe the “Big Society” policy will be a success for the voluntary sector (36%), charity workers (33%) and the Conservative party (30%). Fewer respondents think the policy will be a success for people in the UK (28%), business (25%), the Liberal Democrats (23%) and Councils (23%).

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

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CONTACT:

Andy Morris, Research Director, London
+ 44-207-065-7272
andy.morris@angus-reid.com

Methodology: From July 20 to July 23, 2010, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 1,992 randomly selected British adults who are Springboard UK panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 2.2%. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region data to ensure samples representative of the entire adult population of Great Britain. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

Most people in Britain hold positive views on the performance of the Northumbria Police force in the events surrounding the chase and ultimate demise of Raoul Moat earlier this month, a new Angus Reid Public Opinion poll has found.

Northumbria police officers began chasing Moat on 3 July after the recently released inmate from Durham Prison shot three people, including his former girlfriend. The six-day manhunt entailed a massive operation and use of police resources, and ended when Moat committed suicide.

In the online survey of a representative national sample of 1,992 British adults, 64 per cent of respondents say they “very closely” or “moderately closely” followed the police operation in North East England, which was broadcast live on television.

Six-in-ten (61%) respondents are satisfied with the way the Northumbria Police handled the situation.

In contrast, half of Britons (50%) are dissatisfied with the way the media covered the case. Almost half of respondents (47%) are satisfied with the government’s approach to Moat’s chase, while 29 per cent condemn it.

A large majority of Britons say Moat killed himself, yet 10 per cent of respondents think he was actually executed by the police.

The vast majority of those interviewed (92%) reject the notion that Moat could be considered a legend or a hero. Only three per cent of respondents endorse this notion.

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

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CONTACT:

Andy Morris, Research Director, London
+ 44-207-065-7272
andy.morris@angus-reid.com

Methodology: From July 20 to July 23, 2010, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 1,992 randomly selected British adults who are Springboard UK panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 2.2%. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region data to ensure samples representative of the entire adult population of Great Britain. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

Five years after the London bombings that killed 52 people, many adults in Britain believe that their country will become a target for terrorism again, a new Angus Reid Public Opinion poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample of 1,980 British adults, 59 per cent of respondents think it is “very likely” or “moderately likely” that a terrorist attack will happen in the UK in the next year.

Two-in-five respondents express “complete confidence” or “a lot of confidence” in the ability of the Secret Intelligence Service – MI6 (41%) and the Security Service – MI5 (40%) to avert a terrorist attack. Fewer respondents feel the same way about the special police forces (37%) and the territorial police forces (27%).

In all, 31 per cent of respondents say the UK is safer now than in the aftermath of the 2005 London bombings, while 15 per cent think the country is less safe. Almost half of respondents (46%) perceive no difference.

Four-in-five Britons (80%) believe that a new terrorist attack as deadly as the 2005 London bombings is “very likely” or “moderately likely” to take place in their lifetimes.

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

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CONTACT:

Andy Morris, Research Director, London
+ 44-207-065-7272
andy.morris@angus-reid.com

Methodology: From July 15 to July 16, 2010, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 1,980 randomly selected British adults who are Springboard UK panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 2.2%. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region data to ensure samples representative of the entire adult population of Great Britain. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

Most people in Britain think there are many things that the National Health Service (NHS) should be doing better, a new Angus Reid Public Opinion poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample of 1,980 British adults, 58 per cent of respondents say that some things in the NHS are good, but the system is in need of major changes.

Conversely, a quarter of Britons (26%) think most of the NHS works well, and only minor changes are required. Just over one-in-ten (12%) say there are so many flaws in the health care system that it needs to be fully rebuilt.

Trust in the NHS

A large majority of Britons (74%) are confident that, if they get sick, they will have access to all the help needed from doctors and hospitals. But a quarter of respondents (24%) express little or no confidence in getting what they need.

Among those who express confidence in getting the required attention, 55 per cent say this is because they trust physicians and nurses; 46 per cent simply say they know they will get everything they need; 33 per cent say they trust the NHS to work in a timely manner; and a further 33 per cent say they are confident that medical facilities are up-to-date.

Among those respondents who express little or no confidence in the NHS to provide help when needed, the biggest worry is long waiting times (52%), followed by concerns about cuts to services (48%), and fears that medical facilities are ill-equipped (40%). Over a quarter of people in this group (27%) say they do not trust physicians and nurses.

Biggest Challenges

Almost half of Britons (46%) agree that the biggest problem facing the NHS right now is bureaucracy and poor management. Other challenges, cited by considerably fewer respondents, include inadequate resources and facilities (12%), long waiting times (10%), shortage of doctors and nurses (10%), and insufficient hygiene standards (8%).

Other Ways to Seek Help

Long waiting times are a recurrent issue with the NHS. Two-in-five Britons (40%) would be willing to pay out of pocket to have quicker access to medical health services, but 34 per cent would not.

Almost three-in-ten respondents (28%) would travel abroad to get medical treatment faster, but half (50%) would not consider this option.

Britons over the age of 55 are more likely than their younger counterparts to say that the NHS’s bureaucracy is its biggest weakness (60%), and that they are willing to travel to a different country to seek quicker access to medical treatments (53%).

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

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CONTACT:

Andy Morris, Research Director, London
+ 44-207-065-7272
andy.morris@angus-reid.com

Methodology: From July 15 to July 16, 2010, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 1,980 randomly selected British adults who are Springboard UK panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 2.2%. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region data to ensure samples representative of the entire adult population of Great Britain. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

A significant proportion of people in Great Britain think it is time to re-open the debate on abortion, a new Angus Reid Public Opinion poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample of 2,000 British adults, 40 per cent of respondents say a national debate on abortion is long overdue and the discussion should be re-opened. However, 45 per cent of Britons disagree.

Legality and Funding

Two-in-five Britons (40%) think abortion should be legal in all cases. But half of respondents (50%) disagree, saying that abortions should only be performed under certain circumstances.

A third of respondents (34%) say the NHS should always fund abortions, but most people (51%) think state funding for abortions should be limited to medical emergencies. Seven per cent of Britons say the NHS should never provide funding for an abortion.

There is no difference in how women and men approach this particular question.

24-Week Time Limit

Almost half of Britons (46%) think the 24-week window currently allowed for terminating pregnancies should be lowered. Respondents are also divided on this issue, with more than a third (37%) believing that the current window should stay as is.

Women (58%) are much more likely than men (33%) to call for a reduction of the 24-week period. Respondents over the age of 55 (50%) are also more inclined than others to call for a shorter window.

Information and Consent

Almost half of respondents (48%) think it would be a good idea to require parental consent from women under the age of 18 in order to perform an abortion. Over a third of respondents (37%) disagree.

Women (50%) are only slightly more inclined than men (46%) to support mandatory parental consent. Younger Britons—aged 18 to 34—are less supportive of this measure than their older counterparts (42% against more than 50% in the remaining brackets).

Two-in-five respondents (41%) think pregnant women have access to enough information about alternatives to abortion, such as counselling and adoption. A large proportion of Britons (32%) think this is not the case and that pregnant women lack enough information right now.

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

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CONTACT:

Andy Morris, Research Director, London
+ 44-207-065-7272
andy.morris@angus-reid.com

Methodology: From July 7 to July 9, 2010, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 2,000 randomly selected British adults who are Springboard UK panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 2.2%. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region data to
ensure samples representative of the entire adult population of Great Britain. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

Many people in Britain remain open to an expansion of nuclear power in the country, but a large proportion of respondents are worried about issues such as nuclear waste management, a new Angus Reid Public Opinion poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, of 2,011 British adults, 51per cent of respondents support building more nuclear power stations in the UK, while 31 per cent are opposed.

Residents of the South (56%) and the North (54%) are slightly more open to an expansion of nuclear energy than those in London (48%), Midlands and Wales (46%) and Scotland (45%).

Across Britain, 44 per cent of respondents believe the UK should further pursue its nuclear energy capabilities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while 37 per cent would focus on other carbon-free sources of energy.

Three-in-five Britons (75%) are “very concerned” or “moderately concerned” about nuclear waste management, while two-thirds are worried about health risks for communities that are close to a nuclear power station (68%), nuclear technology falling into the hands of extremists (67%) and an accident at a nuclear power plant (67%).

Since the last Angus Reid Public Opinion survey conducted in November 2009, the level of support for building new nuclear power stations has dropped by four points. However, opposition to this course of action is stable (32% in November 2009, 31% this month).

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

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CONTACT:

Andy Morris, Research Director, London
+ 44-207-065-7272
andy.morris@angus-reid.com

Methodology: From July 1 to July 3, 2010, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 2,011 randomly selected British adults who are Springboard UK panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 2.2% for the entire sample. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region data to ensure samples representative of the entire adult population of Great Britain. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

Britons and football fans would welcome the use of video replay by referees to review if the ball crossed the goal line, if a player was fouled or dove in the area, and offside calls, a new Angus Reid Public Opinion poll has found.

The online survey of a representative sample of 2,011 British adults also shows that less than one-in-five respondents place most of the blame for England’s elimination on the referees.

England in South Africa 2010

Respondents were asked about their feelings on England’s football team, which was eliminated from the South Africa 2010 World Cup in a Round of 16 match against Germany.

A majority of respondents felt shame (52%), and more than a third used the words disgust (47%), sadness (45%) and anger (37%). Self-described football fans were harsher in their assessment of the team (Shame 65%, Sadness 59%, Disgust 59%, Anger 54%).

At least three-in-ten Britons believe England’s defenders (36%), attackers (33%) and manager (30%) deserve most of the blame for the elimination of England’s football team from the South Africa 2010 World Cup, while fewer point the finger at the team’s midfielders (22%), the referees (16%) or the goalkeepers (9%).

For self-described football fans, the defenders (46%) and attackers (42%) bear most of the responsibility for England’s exit, followed by the manager (33%), the midfielders (31%), the referees (19%) and the goalkeepers (10%).

There is a divide in the way Britons and football fans feel about England manager Fabio Capello. While only 31 per cent of Britons would like Capello to stay on as manager, almost half of self-described football fans (48%) want him to remain in charge.

Technology in Football

The debate over the use of video technology in football has grown as a result of certain refereeing decisions at this year’s World Cup, including a shot by Frank Lampard during England’s match against Germany that should have been allowed as a goal but was not called as such by the officials on the pitch.

A majority of Britons would support the use of video replay by referees in International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) matches, to review if the ball crossed the goal line (87%), if a player was fouled or dove in the area (69%), offside calls (63%), handball calls (62%) and fouls (56%).

Football fans, however, are not so certain about the use of video replay in all of these cases. While a majority would consent to FIFA relying on technology to review if the ball crossed the goal line (93%), if a player was fouled or dove in the area (62%) and offside calls (56%), support is lower for using video replay to assess handball calls (47%) and fouls (34%).

The level of support for the implementation of similar guidelines in the English Premier League (EPL) is equally high among Britons, and more nuanced for football fans.

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

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CONTACT:

Andy Morris, Research Director, London
+ 44-207-065-7272
andy.morris@angus-reid.com

From July 1 to July 3, 2010, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 2,011 randomly selected British adults who are Springboard UK panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 2.2% for the entire sample. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region data to ensure samples representative of the entire adult population of Great Britain. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

People in Britain are increasingly concerned about the United Kingdom’s economic situation and fear things will only get worse, a new Angus Reid Public Opinion poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative sample of 2,008 British adults, a vast majority of respondents (88%) say the UK economy is in poor shape. The proportion of people who think the economy is in “very poor” condition is up 11 points to 34 per cent since the last Economic Panorama survey was conducted in May.

Two thirds of Britons (64%) rate their own financial situation as poor, up four points since May. And while in May a fifth of respondents expected the economy to continue deteriorating, now that proportion has jumped to 34 per cent.

Two thirds of respondents think the UK’s recession will not be over until after next year.

Concerns, Inflation and Debt

The proportion of Britons reporting that they fear their household could be hit by unemployment has risen from 38 per cent to 44 per cent this month.

About a third of respondents continue to worry about the safety of their savings (34%), the value of their investments (34%), being able to meet mortgage or rent payments (33%), or their employer facing serious financial problems (27%).

A large majority of respondents share the view that petrol prices will go up (85%), and so will the prices of a week’s worth of groceries (83%), a new car (63%), a new TV (55%), and property (44%).

Britons agree that paying debt and saving money would be priorities if they had extra cash. Respondents were asked what they would do if they suddenly were given an extra £1,000. On average, people would allocate £276 to paying back debt; £199 to a savings bank account; £164 to cover daily expenses such as groceries; £109 to pay for personal items such as gifts or a treat; £110 to invest in an ISA; £112 towards a big purchase such as a car or a home improvement; and £29 to buy shares in a particular company.

The UK Economy Compared to Others

Many respondents say Britain’s economy compares poorly with that of most other industrialized countries, including China (52%), Canada (44%), Australia (43%), Japan (39%), Germany (38%), the United States (31%), and France (24%).

Political Leadership

Only around half of Britons express confidence in Prime Minister David Cameron (50%) and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg (48%) to make the right decisions regarding the economy. The level of trust expressed for Mervyn King, Governor of the Bank of England (48%), and George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer (43%), hover around the same mark. Fewer Britons trust that Labour Shadow Chancellor Alistair Darling (28%) would make the right economic decisions.

Britons prefer the Conservatives over Labour to rein in the national debt (60% to 18%), end the recession (47% to 24%), create jobs (35% to 38%), and control inflation (50% to 25%). Compared to the May survey, the only indicator that has changed is “create jobs”, with fewer respondents trusting the Tories to handle this task well (-6 points).

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

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CONTACT:

Andy Morris, Research Director, London
+ 44-207-065-7272
andy.morris@angus-reid.com

From June 23 to June 25, 2010, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 2,008 randomly selected British adults who are Springboard UK panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 2.2% for the entire sample. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region data to ensure samples representative of the entire adult population of Great Britain. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

Public backing for the United Kingdom Prime Minister remains stable, but there is a noticeable increase in the proportion of respondents who are dissatisfied with his performance, a new Angus Reid Public Opinion has found.

In the online survey of a representative sample of 2,008 British adults, 54 per cent of respondents approve of the performance of David Cameron as Prime Minister, unchanged since last month. However, 32 per cent disapprove of Cameron, up seven points since May.

The Conservative leader gets his best rating in the South of England (63%) and the lowest in Scotland (31%).

The approval rating for Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg stands at 50 per cent, down two points since May. The Liberal Democrat leader is also more popular in the South of England (58%) and less popular in Scotland (29%).

Full Report, Detailed Tables and Methodology (PDF)

Download Full Tables

Download Methodology Statement

CONTACT:

Andy Morris, Research Director, London
+ 44-207-065-7272
andy.morris@angus-reid.com

From June 23 to June 25, 2010, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 2,008 randomly selected British adults who are Springboard UK panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 2.2% for the entire sample. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region data to ensure samples representative of the entire adult population of Great Britain. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.