Attitudes

The NHS remains one of Britain's most valued institutions, but how do people feel about the state of healthcare today? Are expectations changing?

In this episode of ATTITUDES, host Mark Easton explores the latest public attitudes towards the NHS and healthcare in Britain.

Katy Bailey is a Researcher in the Attitudinal Surveys and NatCen Panel team where she actively contributes to two of NatCen’s flagship projects: the British Social Attitudes Survey and the NatCen Opinion Panel.

Danielle Jefferies is an Senior Analyst in the policy team at The King's Fund and works with data from across the health and social care landscape. She has a particular interest in health inequalities.

Research and publications discussed

BSA: Public attitudes to the NHS and social care

Generational differences in attitudes towards the NHS

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In this episode, Mark and guests explore public attitudes towards tax, wealth and public spending in Britain today. Drawing on findings from the latest British Social Attitudes survey and qualitative research on inequality and welfare, the episode covers why attitudes towards taxation may be shifting, how people think about wealth and fairness, and the role that trust, lived experience and perceptions of government play in shaping public opinion.

Kate Summers is a Research Fellow at the London School of Economics whose research explores public attitudes towards economic inequality, welfare and related policies.

Alex Scholes is a Research Director at the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), where he leads on delivery of the British Social Attitudes survey.

Research and publications discussed

• BSA 43 | A First Look
• Living on Different Incomes in London: Can public consensus identify a 'riches line'?
• Claiming Deservingness: Social Security and Public Narratives During the Pandemic
• Deliberating Inequality: Developing Qualitative Approaches to Understanding Inequality Beliefs

About the data

This episode draws on findings from the British Social Attitudes survey and other research carried out by NatCen, as well as work produced by independent researchers and academic institutions exploring public attitudes towards taxation, welfare, inequality and public spending. References and further reading can be found via the links above.

Acknowledgments

With thanks to our guests, contributors and the team at Capital City College for their support with the recording and editing of this podcast. We're grateful to everyone who has taken part in NatCen's research over the years. Their experiences and perspectives help us better understand life in Britain today.

ATTITUDES explores a range of issues and viewpoints through conversations with expert guests. The opinions expressed during these discussions are those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies or positions of the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Mark and guests explore what it means to be a man in Britain today. Drawing on social research and public attitudes data, they discuss how ideas about masculinity are evolving and the role gender continues to play in shaping perceptions of political leadership. Why are qualities such as decisiveness and authority often associated with leadership? Have attitudes changed as more women have entered public life and politics? And what do these assumptions tell us about modern Britain?

Curtis Jessop is Director of Attitudinal Surveys and NatCen Panel at NatCen

Professor Susan Banducci at University of Birmingham

Research and publications discussed

• BSA 42 | Gender Identity | National Centre for Social Research
• Studying Gender Stereotypes of Political Candidates over Four Decades

ATTITUDES explores a range of issues and viewpoints through conversations with expert guests. The opinions expressed during these discussions are those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies or positions of the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen).

About the data

This episode draws on findings from the British Social Attitudes survey and other research carried out by NatCen, as well as work produced by independent researchers, charities and academic institutions exploring gender, identity and social change. References and further reading can be found via the links above.

Acknowledgments

With thanks to our guests, contributors and the team at Capital City College for their support with the recording and editing of this podcast. We're grateful to everyone who has taken part in NatCen's research over the years. Their experiences and perspectives help us better understand life in Britain today.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Mark and guests explore what the latest research reveals about public attitudes towards cannabis, from support for legalisation to perceptions of its risks and impact on society. Drawing on evidence from NatCen and wider social research, they discuss how views on cannabis have shifted across generations, why younger people are increasingly supportive of change, and what the data tells us about the gap between public opinion and current policy.

Alex Scholes is a Research Director at the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), where he leads on the delivery of the British Social Attitudes survey and other large-scale studies exploring social and political change in Britain.

Dr Rebecca Askew is a Reader in Criminology at Manchester Metropolitan University who specialises in drug policy and attitudes towards drugs. She has led major UK and international studies in drug policy, which amplify lived-living experience voices.

Research and publications discussed

• Society Watch 2024: Understanding the new generation of voters British Social Attitudes survey
• Askew R, Ritter A. Why are people with lived and living experience conflicted about the legalisation of drugs?

ATTITUDES explores a range of issues and viewpoints through conversations with expert guests. The opinions expressed during these discussions are those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies or positions of the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen).

About the data

This episode draws on findings from the British Social Attitudes survey and other research carried out by NatCen, as well as other independent organisations and academic institutions. References and further reading can be found via the links above.

Acknowledgments

With thanks to our guests, contributors and the team at Capital City College for their support with the recording and editing of this podcast. We’re grateful to everyone who has taken part in NatCen's research over the years. Their experiences and perspectives help us better understand life in Britain today.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Mark and guests explore what the latest British Social Attitudes data reveals about public opinion on AI, from healthcare and welfare to surveillance and policing. They discuss why concerns differ across contexts, what people want from regulation, and whether government policy is keeping pace with public expectations.

Octavia Field Reid is Associate Director (Public Participation & Research Practice) at the Ada Lovelace Institute.

Curtis Jessop is the Director of Attitudinal Surveys and the NatCen Panel, where he oversees the development and delivery of the British Social Attitudes study and the NatCen Panel, the UK’s first open mixed-mode random probability research panel.

British Social Attitudes: Artificial Intelligence

Making good | Ada Lovelace Institute

The Citizens’ Biometrics Council | Ada Lovelace Institute

Countermeasures | Ada Lovelace Institute

Great (public) expectations | Ada Lovelace Institute

https://attitudestoai.uk/

ATTITUDES explores a range of issues and viewpoints through conversations with expert guests. The opinions expressed during these discussions are those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies or positions of the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen).

About the data

This episode draws on findings from the British Social Attitudes survey and other research carried out by NatCen, as well as other independent organisations and academic institutions. References and further reading can be found via the links above.

Thanks

With thanks to our guests, contributors and the team at Capital City College for their support with the recording and editing of this podcast. We’re grateful to everyone who has taken part in NatCen's research over the years. Their experiences and perspectives help us better understand life in Britain today.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Mark and guests explore what the latest British Social Attitudes data reveals about public opinion on universities and higher education, from the value of a degree to concerns about student debt and graduate outcomes. They discuss why trust in the system appears to be falling, and what the data shows beneath the growing narrative of disillusionment with UK higher education.

Professor Diana Beech is Director of the Finsbury Institute, a public policy hub for the City of London based at City St George's University.

Alex Scholes is a Research Director at the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), where he leads on delivery of the British Social Attitudes survey.

Research and publications discussed:

• BSA 43: Higher education, NatCen, June 2026
• Higher Education Policy Institute – Student Academic Experience Survey 2026
• Higher Education Policy Institute – The Benefits of Hindsight: Reconsidering higher education choices

ATTITUDES explores a range of issues and viewpoints through conversations with expert guests. The opinions expressed during these discussions are those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies or positions of the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen).

About the data

This episode draws on findings from the British Social Attitudes survey and other research carried out by NatCen, as well as other independent organisations and academic institutions. References and further reading can be found via the links above.

Thanks

With thanks to our guests, contributors and the team at Capital City College for their support with the recording and editing of this podcast. We’re grateful to everyone who has taken part in NatCen's research over the years. Their experiences and perspectives help us better understand life in Britain today.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new podcast from the National Centre for Social Research exploring the ideas, opinions and trends shaping Britain today through the lens of robust social research.

ATTITUDES brings together leading researchers and expert voices to unpack the evidence behind the headlines. From politics and public services to identity, values and social change, each episode explores what people in Britain really think and why it matters.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.