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: State Earnings Related Pension Scheme (SERPS) (Module 270): this module was asked on behalf of the Department of Social Security (DSS). They try to ascertain whether people know about the changes to the rules on inheritance of SERPS. Hearing and subtitles (Module 204): this module was asked on behalf of the BBC. It was asked of all household members aged nine or over who had hearing difficulties. Waiting lists (Module 268): this module was asked on behalf of the University of London and was asked of respondents aged 65 and over. Consisting of just one question it concerns people's view on access to medical treatment. Arts and cultural events (Module 273): this module was asked on behalf of the Arts Council of England (ACE). This is a pilot study on attendance at, participation in, and attitudes towards arts and cultural events in Great Britain. Smoking (Module 130): this module was asked on behalf of the Department of Health and the questions relate to smoking. Tobacco consumption (Module 210): this module was asked on behalf of Customs and Excise to help estimate the amount of tobacco consumed as cigarettes. New technology (Module 274): this module is designed to investigate the possibility of using mobile phones and the internet for surveys.
Multi-stage stratified random sample
Face-to-face interview
