Our data just in from 2,077 nationally representative interviews carried out in the UK 1st-2nd April shows:-
- The impact of the coronavirus over the next month continues to generate great concern among the public – four in five (79%) feel that this will get worse before it gets better. Concern is significantly higher among those aged 45+years but still high enough at 71% among those aged 18-24 years
- As more and more questions are asked about the numbers of tests that are taking place, it is perhaps no surprise to see a fall in the numbers of people agreeing that the Government is handling the crisis well – down from 67% last month to 59% this month. Among those who work in the public sector approval has fallen from 64% to 52% in the space of 7 days.
- Despite the overwhelming majority (87%) agreeing the people in their neighbourhoods are, for the most part, respecting the restrictions on movement and social distancing, there are still 8% who claim these aren’t being properly followed. It is 18-24year olds (13%) and specifically those in London (12%) which stand out here.
- We are beginning to see some cracks in Italy with signs of social unrest occurring, particularly in the poorer parts of the country. We asked the UK how they were finding the lockdown mentally. A significant one in three (35%) agree that either themselves or someone in their immediate family was struggling mentally to cope with the current restrictions. This increased to nearly one in two (48%) of 18-24 year olds. More than two in five (43%) also experienced a household decrease in income since the COVID19 crisis started (peaking at 53% in London) – emphasising the need to continually remind people of the need for community cohesion in the fights against the virus.
The country therefore expects the pandemic to get worse in the next month. Meanwhile one in three households are experiencing some level of mental struggle while even more (43%) have experienced financial hardship. The Government has their work cut out trying to maintain community cohesion.
Fieldwork was carried out online amongst a nationally representative sample of 2,077 adults aged 18+ living in the UK between 1st – 2nd April.
To view associated charts click here.
To view the associated tables click here.
To view last week’s headlines and tables click here.