Our latest study into British public opinion finds an increasing proportion who feel that COVID-19 restrictions are being adjusted too quickly, a fall in the approval levels of the government’s communications of COVID-19 information, a public increasingly in support of vaccine passports for travel and a mixed economic picture at the household level.
Key findings from our research between 3 and 7 June are:
- Two thirds (66%) expect that their regular food shop will be much/a little more expensive in the next few months as a result of Brexit. 5% think it will be much/a little cheaper.
- 29% (+6) say it is harder for them to meet their monthly household budget than it was 12 months ago. One third of 18-24-year-olds say this (33%).
- 65% (+5 vs April) of people strongly/tend to support the introduction of a vaccine passport to allow overseas travels into and out of the UK this summer, whilst 23% oppose the idea (+2). 12% are unsure (-6).
- Over four in ten (42%, -4) think the pace at which the government is adjusting the restrictions to everyday life is ‘about right’.
- However, a growing proportion think that the pace at which the government is adjusting restrictions to everyday life is much/a bit too fast: 29% compared to 23% in April.
- One in five (20%, +1) think the pace at which the government is adjusting the restrictions to everyday life is much/a bit too slow.
- 49% of people rate the government as very/fairly good in how there are communicating information about the coronavirus outbreak, compared to 58% in April. 44% rate it as fairly/very poor (+8).
Attitudes towards the vaccination campaign and COVID-19 restrictions
There have been some dips in the approval levels of the UK government’s handling of the pandemic. 47% of people (-4) say they think the government have handled the pandemic very/ fairly well. 45% say very/fairly poorly (+4).
However, the vaccine rollout continues to be rated positively:
- Nearly eight in ten people (79%, +5) say they are very/somewhat satisfied with the vaccine rollout organised by government and health authorities.
- There is particularly high satisfaction amongst older age groups: 92% of 65 + and 88% of those aged 55-64.
- 31% (+5) rate the cooperation between countries globally in the fight against the coronavirus outbreak at very/fairly good. 52% say very/fairly poor (-4).
- Almost half of Britons (49%, +4) think COVID vaccination should be compulsory for adults. 42% (nc) think adults should be able to choose.
When it comes to public view on vaccine passports:
- Older people in Britain are much more in favour of COVID status certifications (“vaccine passports”) to allow overseas travel (84% of 65+ strongly/tend to support, +6) compared to people aged 18-24 (51%, +5).
- Women are more in favour than men, with 68% stating that they strongly/tend to support, compared to 63% of men.
Household economic impacts
This month’s research finds:
- 38% of Britons think the economy will be doing better in 12 months’ time, compared to 29% in April.
- 61% (-1) now say that their personal income “has not been impacted” by coronavirus, compared to 56% in March, 54% in February and 49% in January.
- 17% say their job feels safer than it was 12 months ago (+7), 27% say less safe (+3) and 50% say much the same (-5).
Public priorities post-pandemic
When asked to think about what should happen after the end of the pandemic, 41% of people think that actions to address climate change should be of a priority for governments than before (+6 vs March 2021), whilst 37% think it should be same as before (-3), and 13% (nc) think less of a priority.
Voting intentions
- Con 45% (+4 vs April 2021)
- Lab 32% (-1)
- L Dem 8% (-2)
- Green 6% (-1)
- SNP 4% (-1)
- Reform UK (formerly Brexit Party) 2% (-1)
- Plaid Cymru 1% (+1)
- UKIP 1% (nc)
- Other 1% (nc)
Methodological information
The survey data and further details on the methodological approach can be found here. A total of 1,122 interviews were conducted online among adults living in Great Britain between the 3rd and 7th June April 2021. All interviews were conducted online using the Kantar Research Express. The Kantar online access panel was the main sample source.
The data was weighted to match population totals for age, gender, 2019 General Election voting patterns, 2016 EU referendum voting patterns, education, region, and likelihood to vote in the next General Election. Any use of this research must cite Kantar as the source.
