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: Investment Income (Module 7a): this module was asked to discover how much interest, tax exempt or tax deducted, respondents earn on money kept in building society and bank accounts. National Health Service Opinions (Module 31): this module asks about respondent's state of health, recent use of health services, and their opinions about the NHS generally and on specific aspects. GP Accidents (Module 78n): this module asked about accidents the respondent had had where help was sought that could have involved a doctor e.g. doctor's surgery, hospital. Contraception (Module 106): method of birth control used and reasons for choice; changes in methods used; views on reliability of methods; the use of Family Planning Clinics; awareness of emergency methods for use after intercourse has taken place; views on contraceptive implants. This module was asked of men aged 16-69 and women aged 16-49 only. Campaign for Better English (Module 134): the main purpose of these questions was to monitor people's views and to find out if they had heard of the Campaign for Better English. Evaluation of Health Promotion Advertisements (Module 160): the purpose of this module was to evaluate three advertisements encouraging physical activity and exercise run by the Health Education Authority during January in the tabloid press. It was used on respondents in England only. Home Contents Insurance (Module 161): the purpose of the module was to find out why people do or do not have home contents insurance. The module was only asked of the head of household or their spouse/partner. Small Claims Procedure (Module 162): this module, asked on behalf of the Court Service measured people's awareness of the Small Claims Procedure. Alcohol from EU Countries (Module 164): this module aims to assess the extent of cross-border shopping since the Single Market was introduced. It is only concerned with alcohol bought in other European Community countries in shops other than duty free shops.
Multi-stage stratified random sample
Face-to-face interview
