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: Changes to income (Module 277): asked on behalf of the Inland Revenue, these questions concern changes to income due to changes in family circumstances. National Lottery (Module 278Lot): one question asked ahead of the main gambling module, sponsored by the Gambling Review Body, to ascertain whether people who play the National Lottery think of it as gambling. 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. Tobacco consumption (Module 210): this module was asked on behalf of Customs and Excise to help estimate the amount of tobacco consumed as cigarettes. Disability Discrimination Act (Module 271): this module was asked on behalf of the Disability Policy Division of the Department for Education and Employment (DfEE) and the Disability Rights Commission. The questions concern access to services and facilities by disabled people. Attitudes to transport and the environment (Module 276): questions on attitudes to transport and the environment, asked on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. Access to services (Module 251): asked on behalf of the Social Analysis Branch of ONS Social and Regional Division, the first half asks how respondents travel to various services and to work, and the second half asks how easy it is to get to these services. Attitudes to gambling (Module 278): asked on behalf of the Gambling Review Body, this set of questions are designed to find out whether attitudes to gambling have changed since the introduction of the National Lottery 10 years ago. Careers (Module 280): this module was asked on behalf of Professor Michael Rose, head of Social Research at the University of Bath. The exercise is part of a larger, European study on people's satisfaction with their work and careers. Volunteering (Module 275): asked on behalf of the Social Analysis Branch of ONS Social and Regional Division, this module is concerned with volunteering. That is, any unpaid activity which helps other people or the environment and is carried out through a group or organisation. Internet access (Module 264): this module was asked on behalf of a number of government departments, but primarily the Office for National Statistics and the E-Envoy's Office (part of the Cabinet Office). Designed to monitor internet use, which is currently a high profile government policy. Internet banking (Module 279): this module was asked on behalf of the Financial Services Authority to identify security risks at the consumer's end of the transaction.
Multi-stage stratified random sample
Face-to-face interview
