Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.The Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (formerly known as the ONS Opinions Survey or Omnibus) is an omnibus survey that began in 1990, collecting data on a range of subjects commissioned by both the ONS internally and external clients (limited to other government departments, charities, non-profit organisations and academia).Data are collected from one individual aged 16 or over, selected from each sampled private household. Personal data include data on the individual, their family, address, household, income and education, plus responses and opinions on a variety of subjects within commissioned modules. The questionnaire collects timely data for research and policy analysis evaluation on the social impacts of recent topics of national importance, such as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the cost of living, on individuals and households in Great Britain. From April 2018 to November 2019, the design of the OPN changed from face-to-face to a mixed-mode design (online first with telephone interviewing where necessary). Mixed-mode collection allows respondents to complete the survey more flexibly and provides a more cost-effective service for customers. In March 2020, the OPN was adapted to become a weekly survey used to collect data on the social impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the lives of people of Great Britain. These data are held in the Secure Access study, SN 8635, ONS Opinions and Lifestyle Survey, Covid-19 Module, 2020-2022: Secure Access. From August 2021, as coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions were lifting across Great Britain, the OPN moved to fortnightly data collection, sampling around 5,000 households in each survey wave to ensure the survey remains sustainable. The OPN has since expanded to include questions on other topics of national importance, such as health and the cost of living. For more information about the survey and its methodology, see the ONS OPN Quality and Methodology Information webpage.Secure Access Opinions and Lifestyle Survey dataOther Secure Access OPN data cover modules run at various points from 1997-2019, on Census religion (SN 8078), cervical cancer screening (SN 8080), contact after separation (SN 8089), contraception (SN 8095), disability (SNs 8680 and 8096), general lifestyle (SN 8092), illness and activity (SN 8094), and non-resident parental contact (SN 8093). See Opinions and Lifestyle Survey: Secure Access for details.
Main Topics:Each month's questionnaire consists of two elements: core questions, covering demographic information, are asked each month together with non-core questions that vary from month to month.
The non-core questions for this month were: Second Homes (Module 4): ownership/renting of a second home by any member of the household and reasons for having the second home. Shared Ownership (Module 21): awareness of tenants of the shared ownership scheme and interest in it. Elderly - use of Services (Module 17): use of health and social services by people aged 65 or over (similar to questions asked in the General Household Survey). Pension Schemes (Module 20): membership of employers' pension schemes (for use as a sift for the GAD survey of pension schemes as on the 1983 and 1987 General Household Survey) Food Safety (Module 19): eating habits, food storage and preparation in relation to recent government advice about hazards and safe practices. Also questions about use of microwave ovens. Psychiatric Morbidity (Module 16): pilot testing of self-completion questions (used elsewhere) as a means of screening the population for possible psychiatric illness. Contraception (Module 6): use of different methods of contraception, changes in methods used and the use of Family Planning Clinics (similar to questions asked on the General Household Survey). GP Practices (Module 3): awareness of practice leaflets and of new rules about changing doctors.
Multi-stage stratified random sample
Face-to-face interview
