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, and whether behind in payments, and if so reasons for falling behind. Also question on whether bought from a Right to Buy scheme. Health Screening (Module 4): whether prefer to have a health test carried out by pharmacist or by a doctor and reasons why; attitude to self-testing kits. Contraception (Module 6): method of birth control used and reasons for choice; changes in methods used; the use of Family Planning Clinics; awareness of emergency methods for use after intercourse has taken place. Investment Income (Module 7a): ownership of shares and income from shares, bank accounts and building society accounts. Census Question and GP Visits (Module 22): census questions about number of rooms available to the household; long-term illness; state of health; recent consultations with a doctor and visits to a hospital. Sensible Drinking (Module 40): whether drinks alcohol and if so what type; whether knows how much a unit of alcohol is; how much alcohol consumed in a week; awareness of recommended units as the safe, sensible weekly limit for men and women. Smoking (Module 60): whether smokes cigarettes now or has ever smoked; how many cigarettes smoked; type of cigarettes smoked (filter, non-filter or hand-rolled). Repairs and Redecorating (Module 61): total expenditure that household paid in the last month for maintenance, decoration, repairs or replacements to a contractor or someone else outside the household. Skin Cancer (Module 62): awareness of skin cancer and risks associated with excessive exposure to the sun; views on importance of sun protection measures. Leasehold Accommodation (Module 63): home owners of leasehold property asked how long did lease have to run when property was bought; how long lease has to run now; ownership of freehold.
Multi-stage stratified random sample
Face-to-face interview
