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: Mortgage Arrears (Module 2): source of mortgage, if any; whether behind in payments, and if so reasons for falling behind. Also question on whether bought from a Right to Buy scheme. Alcohol and Tobacco from the EU (Module 64): alcohol and/or tobacco products brought back from European Union Countries during previous two months; quantity bought. Head of Household/Highest Income Earner Information (Module 70): occupation and supervisory status of head of household and highest income earner. GP Accidents (Module 78): accidents in previous three months that resulted in seeing a doctor or going to hospital; where accident happened; whether saw a GP or went straight to hospital. Risk Behaviour (smoking) (Module 94): smokers were asked what they thought their chances of getting lung cancer were; all respondents (smokers and non-smokers) were asked their view on the risk of lung cancer due to smoking. Water Disconnection (Module 95): respondents were asked which water company supplied their water; the cost and method of payment; whether they were now, or over the last 12 months had been, behind with their payments or had difficulty in meeting the payments and reason why; experience of having water supply disconnected; whether has a water meter and if so whether this was installed because of difficulties with payment, any other payments fallen behind with over past year; income; increase in amount of water used due to presence of someone in household with long standing illness or disability.
Multi-stage stratified random sample
Face-to-face interview
