Understanding Society Spring 2008

Introduction

Ben Page — Managing Director
Ipsos MORI Social Research Institute

Welcome to the spring 2008 edition of our e-bulletin. In this issue we dip our toes into a variety of topical debates in the fields of health, local government, the media and social mores (parental discipline). From outside Ipsos MORI, Holly Goring writes on building links between citizens and politicians.

Many of the articles in this edition have a local focus, reflecting current obsessions with locality and sense of place, with service users in the front seat of driving forward improvements-for example in calls for devolution of powers to users of schools (parents) and councils (all of us). Our work shows this demands a full appreciation of the unique factors which affect different areas as our Frontiers of Performance series shows.

Some of our ongoing Frontiers work in both health and local government-which explores locality and the particular circumstances which impinge upon resident and patient satisfaction-is included in this bulletin, as a taster for the two full reports we will publish in the coming months.

As always, please just scroll down the newsletter and click on the links of interest to you — and do let us know if you have any comments via email or by phoning us on 020 7347 3000.

What's New

• Rivers of Blood Survey
• London Mayoral Elections — The Observer
• London Mayoral Election Polling April 2008
• Political Monitor March 2008
• CO2 Charging Survey
• Survey on Class
• The Ipsos MORI Delivery Index Budget Briefing
• Doctors Still Top The Poll As Most Trusted Profession
• EU Referendum Survey
• Public Opinion On Hunting With Dogs

Events

Ipsos MORI events or where Ipsos MORI executives are contributing:

• Commission Conference: Responding to new social realities 5-6 May 2008
• The 27th Annual Conference for British International Schools 10-12 May 2008
• The Loyalty Cure — An Ipsos MORI Event 15 May 2008
• Local Government Future Directions 15 May 2008
• 4th Annual Community Cohesion Conference 2008 9-10 June 2008
• Media Brands in a Multiplatform Era — An Ipsos MORI Event 20 May 2008
• Who's Happy Now? — An Ipsos MORI Event 3 June 2008
• Fourth Annual PR Summit and IPRA Golden World Awards for Excellence Dinner 9-10 June 2008
• NHS Alliance Annual Conference 16-17 October 2008

Despite everything, we still trust Auntie

Identifying what makes an institution trustworthy can be difficult — is it reputation, historical precedence or the influence of public opinion? Levels of public trust with different organisations are compared in an Ipsos MORI survey which shows that (in spite of recent scandals about phone-in competitions) the BBC remains the most trusted British institution. Read on to find out who its closest rivals are — and where opinion pollsters and politicians fit in!

Where is the grass greenest?

The new CAA emphasis is on area rather than satisfaction with authority performance or services. Consequently we are analysing data for the most recent Best Value Performance Indicator (BVPI) results across England & Wales, in order to assess the impact of factors contributing to resident satisfaction with their local area. Adam Palenicek discusses some of the initial findings from our work to date.

Community leadership for frontline Councillors

For the first time Understanding Society welcomes a guest contributor. Holly Goring discusses how Tunbridge Wells Borough Council collaborated with Ipsos MORI to improve customer service and engagement. Read on to see what differentiated Ward Walks in Tunbridge Wells from the usual resident consultation process.

Suffer the children?

The Children and Young Persons Bill currently protects children from serious assault and battery, but 'mild smacking' which does no physical and / or psychological harm is permitted. What constitutes "reasonable" punishment, however, continues to be something of a grey area. An Ipsos MORI survey of parents shows that they are also divided on the issue. Fiona Johnson explains.

Understanding London Life

Satisfaction with Council performance is rising in London according to the latest Best Value Performance Indicator (BVPI) data. Ipsos MORI's analysis shows that a complex set of factors contribute to an individual's sense of well-being and satisfaction with their local area. Stephen Finlay investigates.

The patient experience — what makes a good health trust?

In January Ipsos MORI held an interesting and informative seminar looking at what drives performance in the NHS. Colleagues from the health sector around the country debated the issues affecting performance and public perception of the NHS. Some of the findings from our second "Frontiers of Performance in the NHS" report were also presented. Here, Anna Quigley, one of the lead authors of the report, considers the evidence.

Third Sector Research Unit

Ipsos MORI's well-established Third Sector Research Unit — an enthusiastic and dedicated team of researchers with years of experience and in-depth knowledge of the not-for-profit sector — have been busy measuring public opinion on behalf of charity clients, to inform national and international campaigns.

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