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: Company Cars (Module 1a): questions about the number of company cars in the household; total mileage and total business mileage; age of car and value of car when new. Mortgage Arrears (Module 2): source of mortgage, if any, and whether behind in payments, and if so reasons for falling behind. Also question on whether bought from a Right to Buy scheme. Condom Use (Module 6): awareness of publicity about AIDS; use of condoms amongst the sexually active and its relation to publicity about HIV and AIDS. Investment Income (Module 7a): ownership of shares and income from shares, bank accounts and building society accounts. Overseas Transactions (Module 58): financial transactions (receipts or payments) made as a private individual in the past 12 months; value in pound sterling; currency of transaction; reasons for transaction. Youth Services (Module 76): young people aged 11-25 were asked about leisure time activities; whether belongs or goes to a youth club, youth centre, youth group or youth organisation, or takes part in any other youth service activity; whether has ever belonged to a youth organisation; types of groups belongs to and who runs them; how often attends; any voluntary organisations belongs to; type of youth project takes part in and who runs it; whether has taken part in running a youth organisation; attitudes toward the Youth Service; reasons for attending/not attending. 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. Mortgage Arrears (Module 79): whether behind in mortgage payments; whether has ever had to give up home because of difficulties with paying mortgage. Leasehold Enfranchisement (Module 86): owners of flats/maisonettes asked whether owned leasehold or freehold; whether bought property under the right to buy scheme; if freehold whether owns freehold of whole building; if leasehold who owns the freehold; whether is aware of right to buy freehold and if would be interested in buying the freehold; if interested what steps taken to buy freehold; if not interested in buying freehold what steps taken to buy a longer lease; whether pays charges for services and if so how satisfied with services; whether thinks it would be easy to sell property under present market conditions. National Insurance (Module 87): questions to elicit knowledge on National Insurance contributions, who has to pay them and what they finance; knowledge on eligibility for various social security benefits including unemployment benefit and state pension; attitudes toward the National Insurance system. Drinking and Smoking (Module 88): whether drinks alcohol and if so type and quantity drunk; whether keeps a check on quantity drunk; whether ever tried to cut down on drinking, or been advised to cut down, for health reasons; awareness of units of alcohol and how many units are recommended as the sensible weekly limit for men and women; whether would like to see more information on the drinks container; whether smokes or has ever smoked cigarettes; how many smoked a day; whether smokes or has ever smoked cigars or a pipe.
Multi-stage stratified random sample
Face-to-face interview
