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Flash Eurobarometer

Attitudes towards the EU in the United Kingdom Analytical report Fieldwork: November 2010

Publication: March 2011

This survey was requested by Directorate-General Communication This document does not represent the point of view of the European Commission. The interpretations and opinions contained in it are solely those of the authors.

European Commission

Flash EB Series #318

Attitudes towards the EU in the United Kingdom

Survey conducted by The Gallup Organization, Hungary upon the request of

Directorate-General Communication

Coordinated by Directorate-General Communication

This document does not represent the point

of view of the European Commission. The interpretations and opinions contained

in it are solely those of the authors.

THE GALLUP ORGANIZATION

Flash EB No 318 – Attitudes towards the EU in the UK Analytical report

page 3

Table of contents

Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 4

Main findings ........................................................................................................................................ 5

1. Information about the EU ................................................................................................................ 6

1.1 Self-perceived level of knowledge about the EU ...................................................................... 6 1.2 Information supply .................................................................................................................... 7 1.3 Interest in information .............................................................................................................. 7 1.4 Likeliness to deal with simpler and clearer information ...................................................... 9 1.5 Information providers ............................................................................................................... 9 1.6 Objectivity of the British media ............................................................................................. 10

2. Support for the EU ......................................................................................................................... 12

2.1 Public perception of the EU and the UK’s membership ..................................................... 12 2.2 Assessment of the economic costs and benefits of EU membership ................................ 12 2.3 Emotional and rational assessment of the EU and the UK’s membership ..................... 13

3. The UK’s contribution to the EU .................................................................................................. 15

3.1 Financial contribution ............................................................................................................. 15 3.2 Influence on EU legislation .................................................................................................... 16

4. Priorities, benefits and impact of EU policies .............................................................................. 18

4.1 The EU’s role in certain policy areas ..................................................................................... 18 4.2 Awareness of the EU’s benefits ............................................................................................. 18 4.3 Awareness of EU initiatives ................................................................................................... 19 4.4 Importance of the initiatives’ benefits .................................................................................. 20 4.5 Impact of EU initiatives on attitudes towards the EU ........................................................ 22 4.6 Benefits of EU membership ................................................................................................... 22 4.7 Willingness to accept a loss of benefits ................................................................................ 25

5. Political parties and European elections ...................................................................................... 26

5.1 Importance of European issues at last general election ..................................................... 26 5.2 Representation of views on the EU ....................................................................................... 26

I. Annex tables .................................................................................................................................... 29

II. Survey details ................................................................................................................................. 71

III. Questionnaire ............................................................................................................................... 73

Analytical report Flash EB No 318 – Attitudes towards the EU in the UK

page 4

Introduction Alongside the standard biannual Eurobarometer surveys, the European Commission periodically tracks

the UK public's attitudes toward, and knowledge of, the European Union, and its familiarity with

certain important related issues.

The main themes in the current report relate to British citizens and their:

self-perceived knowledge of the EU

need for information on the EU

opinion about who should be responsible for keeping them informed about the EU

image of the EU

evaluation of the costs and benefits of EU membership

thoughts on what problems should be tackled by the European institutions

awareness of several benefits and projects related to the EU

assessment of the importance of European issues at the last general election

opinion on which party most closely represents their views on the EU.

This study follows earlier Flash Eurobarometer surveys undertaken since 2002.1 The content of the

questionnaires, however, has changed with each wave of the survey in order to reflect the changing

reality both within the EU and in the UK.

The fieldwork was carried out in the United Kingdom between 22nd

and the 26th of November 2010.

1,000 randomly selected citizens aged 15 and older were interviewed via fixed-line telephone. To

correct for sampling disparities, a post-stratification weighting of the results was carried out based on

key socio-demographic variables.

1 Flash EB 137, 185, 203, 231 and 274 are accessible at the EC Eurobarometer website at

http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/flash_arch_en.htm


page 5

Main findings

Information about the EU

18% of UK respondents felt informed about the EU. However, 82% said they knew little or

nothing.

Only a small minority “strongly” agreed that the information available on EU affairs was

simple and clear (5%), and 3 in 10 agreed to “some extent”.

Respondents felt that EU reports on television, the radio and, particularly, in the written press

were too negative. Almost half (48%) perceived a negative bias in press reports. Six in ten

British respondents indicated that they did not want to receive more information about the EU.

British citizens tend to expect their government to inform them about the European Union and

its decisions (48%).

Support for the EU

Respondents were divided on the “image” of the EU: 42% had a rather positive image of the

EU, while almost as many had a rather negative one (39%).

A third of respondents felt that the economic benefits of the UK being a member of the EU

outweighed the associated costs; 4 in 10 held the opposite view.

Taking an overview of the questions concerning the EU’s “image” and the “cost-benefit

analysis” of membership, the youngest respondents, full-time students and highly-educated

respondents were the most likely to give a consistently positive evaluation of the EU and the

UK’s membership in it.

The UK’s contribution to the EU

The UK contributes more than it directly receives from the EU budget. In 2009, this difference

amounted to 0.12% of Gross National Income (GNI).

When asked to estimate the UK’s net contribution to the EU budget, only 9% of respondents

said it was below 3% of the country’s GNI. On average, respondents estimated that the UK

annually transferred 19% of its GNI to the EU. Almost 4 in 10 (38%) did not or could not

answer.

Politically, respondents were evenly split between those who felt that the UK had a lot or a fair

amount of influence on the way EU laws are made and those who did not (both 49%).

EU policies affecting the UK

Most respondents acknowledged that the EU had a role in tackling some of the most pressing

international issues.

Clear majorities considered all eight EU initiatives presented to them important.

More than half of respondents (54%) said that the fact that these initiatives had been started

and developed by the European Union made them feel more positive about the European

Union.

Most interviewees said they would care if any of the listed benefits were lost.

Political parties and European elections

55% of British respondents felt that European issues had not been important in the last general

election in May 2010.

Respondents were equally split as to whether the Conservatives or Labour best represented

their views on Europe (24% and 23%, respectively.)


page 6

1. Information about the EU

Almost one fifth of UK respondents felt informed about the EU. However,

82% said they knew little or nothing about it.

Only a tiny minority “strongly” agreed that the information available on EU

affairs was simple and clear (5%), and 3 in 10 agreed to some extent.

Respondents felt that EU reports on television, the radio and particularly in

the written press were too negative. Almost half (48%) perceived a negative

bias in press reports. Six in ten British respondents indicated that they did

not want to receive more information about the EU.

British citizens mainly expect their government to inform them about the

European Union and its decisions (48%).

1.1 Self-perceived level of knowledge about the EU

The vast majority of Britons (82%) said that

they knew either little (68%) or nothing (14%)

about the EU’s institutions and policies. The

results have changed very little since May 2009

survey.

In a similar vein, over the last year and a half

there has been little change in the proportion of

respondents feeling very informed. The latest

figures show that 2% of respondents said they

knew a great deal and 16% quite a lot about the

EU.

Men felt more knowledgeable about EU matters

(25% vs. 11% of women said they knew either a

great deal or quite a lot). The youngest

respondents (15-24 years) were the least likely of all socio-demographic groups to feel informed (6%).

Respondents with the highest level of education (who attended college/school beyond the age of 20)

were the most informed. But even in this group, just slightly more than a quarter felt they knew quite a

lot or a great deal about the EU (27%). Looking at occupational groups, the self-employed (22%)

were more than twice as likely as manual workers (8%) to feel informed.

Women, the youngest respondents, those with low levels of education and manual workers were more

likely to say they knew nothing about the EU than to say they knew quite a lot or a great deal. For

example, among those with the lowest level of education (who left school at the age of 15 or earlier),

13% said they were informed and 24% said they knew nothing at all.

We define an attitudinal typology in section 2.1. Looking at attitudinal segments according to their

stance towards the EU, the proportion of well-informed citizens was highest among those who held a

consistently favourable opinion of the EU and the UK’s membership in it (30%), followed by those

who provided a consistently sceptical opinion (23%). The self-perceived level of information was at its

lowest among those with inconsistent views about the EU (11%).

(For further details, see Annex Table 34.)

Knowledge of the EU, its policies and institutions

Q14 (2010-2009) / Q1 (2006-2002). How much do you feel you know about the European Union, its policies, its

institutions? Would you say you know ...?%, Base: all respondents

14

14

29

29

68

69

56

58

16

17

13

11

2

1

2

1

Fl318 (2010)

Fl274 (2009)

Fl185 (2006)

Fl137 (2002)

nothing at all a little quite a lot a great deal


page 7

1.2 Information supply

No more than 5% of British respondents strongly agreed that the information available on EU

affairs was simple and clear and 3 in 10 (30%) agreed to some extent. A larger share of respondents

felt that EU-related information was not easy to digest: 20% strongly disagreed and an additional 35%

disagreed. Finally, 1 in 10 survey participants did not know or did not want to answer this question.

There were only minor changes from the previous wave.

Information available on the EU is simple and clear

5

30

35

20

10

Strongly agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

DK/NA

Q15. Would you agree that current information available on the European Union is simple and clear enough?

%, Base: all respondents

4

34

33

20

8

Fl274 (2009)Fl318 (2010)

A deeper analysis of the responses did not confirm a strong relationship between the perceived

simplicity (or complexity) of information available on EU affairs and respondents’ supposed

awareness level. About one in five of those who felt informed as well as of those who felt uninformed

on EU matters strongly disagreed that the current information about the EU was clear and simple (22%

and 20%, respectively).

Interestingly, the results of the socio-demographic analysis showed that although the youngest

respondents (15-24 year-olds) were among the least likely to feel informed about EU matters, almost 6

in 10 (58%) of them said that the available information was clear enough, compared to 28%-39%

across other age groups.

The opposite pattern was observed when looking at occupational groups. The self-employed were

more likely to feel informed about the EU, but less likely to find EU-related information clear and

simple (26% vs. 34%-36% of others).

Full-time students were by far the most likely to agree that EU information was simple and clear (63%

vs. 26% of those with the lowest level of education and 32%-35% of those who remained in school at

least until the age of 16). Residents of metropolitan areas also tended to be more satisfied with the

information available (39% vs. 33% of others).

While 4 in 10 of those who had a consistently positive stance towards the EU (see section 2.1 for a

description of how groups were defined) said that EU-related information was easily understandable,

this proportion decreased to 23% for those who had a consistently unfavourable opinion.

(For further details, see Annex Table 35.)

1.3 Interest in information

A majority of respondents indicated that they were not interested in receiving more information

about the EU: 22% said they were quite uninterested and 38% were not interested at all. The

proportion of those uninterested in receiving more information has increased by six percentage points

compared to May 2009.


page 8

Overall, 4 in 10 (41%) respondents were interested in receiving more information; with 8% saying

they were very interested and 33% quite interested in learning more about the EU (-5 points since

2009).

Interest in receiving more information about the EU

8

33

22

38

0

Very interested

Quite interested

Quite uninterested

Not at all interested

DK/NA

Q16. How interested are you in receiving more information about the EU?%, Base: all respondents

9

38

23

31

0

Fl274 (2009)Fl318 (2010)

The proportions of those interested in receiving further information essentially matched the current

pattern of knowledge: the segments most interested in receiving further information were those that

were already relatively well informed about the EU. Half (51%) of those citizens who saw themselves

as informed about the EU were also quite or very interested in receiving more information, in

comparison to 41% of the those who said they knew little about the EU and a quarter of those who

knew nothing at all.

In May 2009, the differences between “informed” and “uninformed” respondents were even more

pronounced. Almost 6 in 10 (58%) respondents who claimed to be well-informed about the EU

showed an interest in receiving more information about the EU, compared to 22% of those who knew

nothing at all about EU affairs.

17

8

3

41

40

19

17

23

27

24

29

50

Knows a great deal and quite a lot

Knows a little

Knows nothing at all

14

8

1

37

33

24

18

24

17

30

35

58

Knows a great deal and quite a lot

Knows a little

Knows nothing at all

Q14. How much do you feel you know about the European Union, its policies, its institutions? Would you say you know ...?

Q16. How interested are you in receiving more information about the EU?%, Base: all respondents

Knowledge of the EU and interest in receiving more information

Knows a great deal and quite a lotVery interested Quite interested Quite uninterested Not at all interested

Fl274 (2009)Fl318 (2010)

Among socio-demographic groups, those with the highest level of education were most likely to

express an interest in obtaining more information (52%; compared to about 32% of those with the

lowest level of education). The youngest respondents (15-24 year-olds) were less inclined to be

interested in more information (32% vs. 40%-44% of other age groups). Residents of metropolitan

areas were more likely to show such an interest (47% vs. 41% of residents of small cities and 36% of

respondents from rural areas). Finally, consistent “supporters” of the EU and the UK’s membership

were more than twice as likely as consistent “opponents” to say that they were interested in receiving

more information about the EU (63% vs. 28%). (For further details see Annex Table 36.)


page 9

1.4 Likeliness to deal with simpler and clearer information

Next, the survey asked those who criticised EU-related information for its lack of simplicity and

clarity if they would be more open to such information were it less difficult to understand. Somewhat

more than a quarter (27%) of respondents said that it was very likely, and a further 54% that it was

likely, that they would be more open to EU-related information if it were easier to digest. A tenth

of respondents stated that it was not likely that they would deal with EU-related information if it was

simpler and clearer, while 9% said it was not at all likely.

Likeliness to deal with EU-related information if it was simpler and clearer

27

54

10

9 0

Very likely

Likely

Not likely

Not likely at all

DK/NA

Q17. If more simple and clear information on the European Union were available, how likely would you be to read /listen /watch it?

%, Base: those who think information on the EU in not simple and clear or those who are interested in receiving more information about the EU

29

54

8

9 0

Fl274 (2009)Fl318 (2010)

A closer look at the various segments further corroborated the assumption that there were people who

were simply not interested in EU-related information, no matter how simple or clear. Those segments

who felt better informed and were more interested in receiving additional information were also the

most likely to indicate that they would consume even more information if it were simpler to

understand. A clear indication of this pattern is that 39% of those who already felt informed about the

EU said that they would be very likely to read or watch more such news if it was easier to digest, while

24% of the uninformed group shared this opinion.

(For further details see Annex Table 37.)

1.5 Information providers

Nearly half (48%) of British citizens expected their government to inform them about the EU: This is

far higher than any other information provider and represents an increase of five percentage points from

2009, reaching the same level as in 2007.

A sixth (17%) of the British public felt that the responsibility of providing information about the EU

lies with media outlets, and 12% with local government. Fewer citizens thought it was the EU's job:

roughly 1 in 10 (11%) thought that the UK’s EU information centres were primarily responsible and

half that number (6%) felt that this should be the responsibility of EU institutions. Only political

parties scored lower than the EU: 4% saw them as primarily responsible.


page 10

46

15

18

10

5

3

3

The Britishgovernment

Newspapers/television

Local government

EU informationcentres in the UK

The EUinstitutions

Political parties

DK/NA

48

19

16

5

4

3

4



Local government


The EUinstitutions

Political parties

DK/NA

43

20

14

11

6

4

3



Local government


The EUinstitutions

Political parties

DK/NA

48

17

12

11

6

4

2



Local government


The EUinstitutions

Political parties

DK/NA

Q18 (2010-2009) / Q5 (2007) / Q4 (2006). Who do you think should be responsible for keeping you informed about the EU and its decisions? Please choose ONE from the list that I am going to read to you.


Responsibility for keeping citizens informed about the EU and its decisions

Fl274 (2009)Fl318 (2010) Fl203 (2007) Fl185 (2006)

Opinions were rather homogenous in the various socio-demographic segments; each respondent group

was most likely to answer that it was up to the British government to provide information. Full-time

students proved to be an exception to the rule; they were as likely to name newspapers and television

as they were to mention the British government (33% and 35%, respectively). Manual workers were

the most likely of all groups to see a role for the local government (28%).

Unlike in 2009, those who had a consistently favourable opinion of the EU were not more inclined to

assign such responsibility to EU institutions. Yet, they were still three times as likely as respondents

with consistently unfavourable attitudes towards the EU to mention EU information centres in the UK

(19% vs. 6%).


1.6 Objectivity of the British media

The survey also asked British citizens whether or not the information the various news media

conveyed about the EU was objective or biased. Respondents’ replies indicate a generally perceived

negative bias in reporting on EU affairs on television, radio and in the written press: the “too

negative” replies outnumbered the “too positive” responses.

Reports appearing in the written press were seen to be the most negative: almost half of respondents

(48%) indicated that reports about the EU tended to be unnecessarily negative. Even those respondents

who expressed consistently unfavourable opinions about the EU and the UK’s membership mostly

agreed that press reports about the EU were too negative (41% vs. 31% who saw them as objective and

16% who felt the reports were too positive).

Television was perceived to be negatively biased when reporting on the EU by more than a quarter of

British respondents (27%), compared to 17% who saw a positive bias and 44% who thought that it

usually reported in an objective way.

As in the previous wave, the gap between those who thought that a medium was reporting on the EU

too negatively and those who said the opposite was smallest in the case of radio broadcasts. While

18% felt that British radio broadcasts were presenting the EU in a too negative light, 14% held the

opposite view and 41% said they were objective. Almost 3 in 10 (27%) did not comment on the

objectivity of radio programmes.


page 11

14

12

13

36

33

27

25

17

38

25

39

22

Television

Radio

Press

19

18

16

36

38

26

33

21

48

13

23

11

Television

Radio

Press

17

14

13

44

41

26

27

18

48

13

27

12

Television

Radio

Press

Q13 (2010-2009) / Q11 (2007) / Q12 (2006). Do you think that the British ... presents the European Union too positively, too negatively or objectively?


Perception of the British media

Fl274 (2009)Fl318 (2010) Fl203 (2007)

TelevisionToo positively Objectively Too negatively DK/NA

Comparing these latest results with those from May 2009, the biggest changes took place in the

perceived objectivity of television stations. The share of those who thought that television broadcasts

portrayed the EU in too negative a light dropped by six percentage points, while the proportion of

those who saw them as objective increased by eight points.

Those who felt informed about EU matters were more likely to criticise media coverage as having a

“positive” or “negative” bias. Generally, the most systematic difference across the various socio-

demographic and attitudinal segments was the proportion of the “don’t know” replies, which were

consistently higher among women, the oldest respondents (older than 54) and those with lower levels

of education.

The youngest respondents (15-24 year-olds), and those still in education were more likely to say that

British TV and radio broadcasts were positively biased when reporting on the EU than to claim the

opposite. For example, a quarter of 15-24 year-olds, as well as 3 in 10 full-time students, perceived

British television programmes as too positive, compared to 14% and 18%, respectively, who saw a

negative bias.

Men (53%), the highly educated (63%) and the self-employed (59%) were more likely than their

socio-demographic counterparts to say that the press was negatively biased.

(For further details see Annex Tables 31-34.)


page 12

2. Support for the EU

Respondents were divided on the “image” of the EU: a share of 42 % had a

rather positive image of the EU, while almost as many interviewees held the

opposite view (39%).

A third of respondents felt the economic benefits of the UK being a member

of the EU outweighed the costs and 4 in 10 took the opposite viewpoint.

The youngest respondents, full-time students and highly-educated

respondents were the most inclined to evaluate the EU and the UK’s

membership consistently positively.

This section looks at how British citizens perceive the EU’s image and their opinion about the

economic costs and benefits of the UK’s membership.

2.1 Public perception of the EU and the UK’s membership

The British public was split in its attitudes toward the

EU: 42% had a quite positive or very positive image

of the EU, while almost as many respondents had a

quite - or very negative view (39%). 13% took a

neutral stance (neither positive nor negative) and 6%

had no opinion on this matter.

A positive perception of the EU was well above

average among the youngest respondents (aged 15-

24: 63%), full-time students (67%) and those with the

highest level of education (59%), as well as among

respondents from metropolitan areas (52%).

On the other hand, manual workers (53%), British

citizens older than 54 (48%), rural residents (45%),

those with the lowest level of education (48%) and

men (45%) were particularly likely to have a negative image of the EU.


2.2 Assessment of the economic costs and benefits of EU membership

Britons more frequently said that the economic costs of being a member of the EU exceeded the

benefits than the opposite (40% vs. 33%). Compared to the previous wave, those who believed that the

benefits exceeded the costs dropped by four percentage points, while the share of those holding the

opposite view stayed the same. Meanwhile, the number of interviewees who thought that economic

costs and benefits were in balance doubled from 8% to 16%. Finally, 12% did not know how to answer

the question or chose not to respond (-3 points).

Attitudes toward the European Union

6

36

24

15

13

6 Very positive

Quite positive

Quite negative

Very negative

Neither positive,nor negative

DK/NA

Q1 (2010). In general, do you have a more positive or negative image of the European Union?



page 13

Economic costs vs. benefits of being in the EU

33

40

16

12The benefits exceed theeconomic costs

The economic costs exceedthe benefits

They are in balance

DK/NA

Q7. In your opinion, do the economic costs of being in the EU exceed the benefits or do the benefits exceed the costs?


37

40

8

15

Fl274 (2009)Fl318 (2010)

In fact, respondents aware of the size of the UK’s contribution to the EU were the minority (see 3.1).

An interesting finding was that among those who gave a correct estimate of this figure (in the range of

0%-3% of GNI), the proportion of those who felt that benefits exceeded costs was pretty similar to the

share of respondents who did not (41% vs. 42%). In other words, even when British respondents were

aware that their country’s contribution did not surpass 3% of its GNI, they still were not necessarily

convinced that the benefits exceeded the economic costs. This finding stands in sharp contrast with the

results of the 2009 wave, when 62% of respondents who gave a correct estimate of the UK’s

contribution thought that the benefits exceeded the economic costs.

The groups most inclined to have a negative image of the EU were also more inclined to believe that

the economic costs exceeded the benefits of EU membership: respondents over 54 (48%), those with

the average and low levels of education (44%-45%) and rural residents (44%).

Respondents with high levels of education and full-time students were the most likely to believe that

the benefits exceeded the costs (both 44%). Men were also more liable to perceive a net economic gain

accruing from the UK’s membership (37% vs. 28% of women).

Survey participants who regarded themselves as informed about EU affairs were as likely to say that

the benefits of EU membership outweighed economic costs as to say that this balance of costs and

benefits was negative (both 43%).


2.3 Emotional and rational assessment of the EU and the UK’s membership The following figure shows the result of a cross-tabulation of the two questions presented in this

chapter to show how many respondents gave consistent answers- meaning that if they had a positive

image of the EU they thought the benefits of EU membership exceeded the economic costs (hereafter

called the “consistently favourable”) and if they had a rather negative image of the EU they thought

that the economic costs exceeded the benefits (hereafter called the “consistently unfavourable”). As

the table shows, a quarter of British respondents were consistently unfavourable vis-à-vis the EU and

their country’s membership, while 21% were consistently favourable.


page 14

Q7. ECONOMIC BALANCE OF UK’S MEMBERSHIP

Q1. EU IMAGE

costs exceed

the benefits

benefits

exceed the

costs

they are in

balance DK/NA

rather negative 25 8 4 3

rather positive 1 0 21 7 4

neither positive, nor

negative3 3 4 3

DK/NA 2 1 1 2

21

54

25

consistently favourable

mi xed

consistently unfavourable

Emoti onal and rational assessment of the EU and the UK’s membership (total %)

Q1. In general, do you have a more positive or negative image of the European Union?Q7. In your opinion, do the economic costs of being in the EU exceed the benefits or do the benefits exceed the costs?


Looking at the various social

segments in the UK’s general

population, the survey found none in

which respondents providing

consistently positive or negative

replies were in the majority.

Men and respondents aged 40 and

over were more likely than their

counterparts to evaluate the EU and

the UK’s membership consistently

negatively.

The higher a respondent’s level of

education, the more inclined he or she

was to support the EU as well as to

see economic advantages of the

membership.

Those living in the UK’s

metropolitan areas were more

favourable towards the EU and the

UK’s membership.

Manual workers tended to be less

likely to be consistently favourable

than other occupational groups.

Respondents’ self-perceived level of information about the EU (which, as we saw in section 1.1,

shows a strong correlation with their level of education) has a clear relation with the consistency of

their opinion about the EU. Those who felt they knew quite a lot or a great deal about the EU were

almost twice as likely as those who said they know nothing at all or only a little about the EU to have a

consistently favourable opinion about the EU’s image and the benefits of membership.

21

25

18

33

23

21

15

24

24

13

19

28

19

20

9

16

34

40

35

18

54

45

63

58

61

50

54

50

53

65

55

56

55

51

65

55

46

55

33

59

25

30

20

9

17

29

32

26

23

21

26

15

26

29

27

29

20

5

32

23

UK

GENDER

Male

Female

AGE

15-24

25-39

40-54

55+

OCCUPATION

Self-employed

Employees

Manual workers

Not working

URBANISATION

metropolitan zone

other town/urban/centre

rural zone

LEFT SCHOOL AT THE AGE OF...

-15

16-20

20+

Still in education

INFORMED ABOUT THE EU

informed

not informed

consistently favourable mixed consistently unfavourable

Support for the EU and the UK’s membership in various social segments (emotional and rational assessment combined, %)


page 15

3. The UK’s contribution to the EU

The UK contributes more than it directly receives from the EU budget. In

2009 this difference amounted to 0.12% of Gross National Income (GNI).

When asked to estimate the UK’s net contribution to the EU budget, only 9%

of respondents said it was below 3% the country’s GNI. On average,

respondents estimated that the UK transferred, annually, 19% of its GNI to

the EU. Almost 4 in 10 (38%) did not or could not answer.

Politically, respondents were evenly split between those who felt that the UK

has a lot or a fair amount of influence on the way EU laws were made and

those who thought the opposite (both 49%).

This section looks at the public’s perceptions of the UK’s role in: a) financing the EU and b) the EU’s

legislation-making process.

3.1 Financial contribution

The UK pays an annual contribution to the EU on the basis of the rules laid out in the 2007-2013

multi-annual budget framework. In 2007, the UK’s contribution to the EU budget was approximately

0.5% of the UK’s Gross National Income (GNI). The UK has a negative net position in the EU,

meaning that it pays more than it directly receives from the EU budget. In 2009, this difference

amounted to about 0.12% of GNI.2

Public perception of this financial contribution was not even close to reality. 38% of British

respondents said that they simply did not know about the UK’s contribution to the EU budget. 1 in 10

(9%) knew that the UK contributed less than 3% of its GNI (note: 3% of all respondents said their

country did not transfer more than 1% of its GNI to the EU). The average estimated proportion of

the UK’s national income transferred to the EU was 19%; this shows that most citizens do not

seem to understand these figures. Even the most educated segment estimated the UK’s contribution to

the EU budget to be about 12% of GNI.

9

11

15

11

9

8

38

0-3 %

4-5 %'

6-10 %

11-20 %

21-40 %

41-100 %

DK/NA

Q6 (2010). What percentage of the UK's gross national income do you think goes towards the EU budget?Q6 (2009). How much percent of the UK's gross national income do you think goes towards the EU budget?


Percentage of the UK’s gross national income that goes towards the EU budget

6

8

11

9

9

10

48

0-3 %

4-5 %'

6-10 %

11-20 %

21-40 %

41-100 %

DK/NA

Fl274 (2009)Fl318 (2010)

2 Both GNI figures are available at: http://ec.europa.eu/budget/library/publications/fin_reports/fin_report_09_data.xls the last two rows show

the net contribution by Member State


page 16

Comparing these results with those of the previous wave, the proportion of respondents giving an

estimate close to the real percentage (0%-3%) rose by three percentage points, while the proportion of

those who did not give an answer fell by ten points.

Men (14%), respondents between 25-54 years of age (13%), the highly educated (16%), residents of

large cities (18%) and the self-employed (20%) were the most likely within their respective segment to

give a correct estimate.

The UK’s contribution was overestimated to a greater extent by the groups that expressed consistently

unfavourable views about the EU and the UK’s membership.

About one in seven (15%) of those who felt informed about EU matters thought that the UK’s

contribution was below 3% of GNI.


3.2 Influence on EU legislation Through various established channels, all EU Member States participate in the decision-making

processes that discuss future European legislation. The British public was divided in its perceptions of

their country’s influence on EU laws: roughly half (49%) of respondents felt that the UK had a lot

(10%) or a fair amount of influence (39%) on the way EU laws were made. The same proportion,

on the other hand, felt that the UK had little (31%) or very little (18%) influence.

Compared to the results from May 2009, the share of those who believed that the UK had an impact on

European legislation grew by five percentage points (from 44% to 49%).

Influence of the UK government on EU legislation

10

39

31

18

2

A lot

A fair amount

Little

Very little

DK/NA

Q8. According to you, how much say has the UK government in the way that EU laws are made ...? %, Base: all respondents

11

33

28

23

5

Fl274 (2009)Fl318 (2010)

Those who were most content with the UK’s role in EU decision-making (stating that it has a lot or a

fair amount of say in how EU laws are formulated) were full-time students (75%), the youngest

respondents (15-24 years: 69%), the most educated (55%) and those living in metropolitan zones

(54%).

A share of 56% of those who felt informed about EU matters thought that the UK had at least a fair

amount of influence on how EU laws were made (vs. 48% of those who did not feel informed about

the EU). Finally, those with consistently positive views about the EU were almost four times as likely

to agree that the UK has a fair share in shaping legislation (79%) as those who were consistently

sceptical (24%).

(For more details see Annex Table 21.)

The majority of respondents (59%) agreed that if the UK government always had a say in the way

EU laws were made they would feel more positive about the UK’s EU membership. 17% would


page 17

not change their opinion about membership and a bit more than 2 in 10 (22%) would be even more

critical about the UK’s participation in the EU. Results have changed little since last year.

If the UK government always had a say in the way EU laws are made, that would make you feel ...

5922

17

2More positive about theUK's EU membership

Less positive about theUK's EU membership

Would not change, feel thesame way

DK/NA

Q9. If you knew the UK government always had a say in the way EU laws were made, that would make you feel:%, Base: all respondents

62

22

142

Fl274 (2009)Fl318 (2010)

As Annex Table 22 shows, the majority in each of the various segments stated that their opinion would

change for the better upon learning that the UK was involved in all EU decisions.

Even so, the other replies revealed some intriguing details. More than a quarter of the least educated

(36%), manual workers (34%) and of the oldest respondents (aged 55 or over: 28%) claimed that they

would become more critical towards the EU if the UK was always involved in the EU’s decision-

making processes.

Those who claimed to be informed about EU matters were more likely to indicate that their opinion

would not change in light of this information (22% for “informed” vs. 16% for “uniformed”;

presumably because they were already more aware of the multilateral nature of EU decision-making),

but they were more likely to become more critical (29% vs. 21%) and less likely to change their views

in a positive direction (48% vs. 62%).

Another important detail is that those who expressed consistently unfavourable opinions towards the

EU and the UK’s EU membership were slightly more likely to become more positive about the UK’s

EU membership if the UK always had a say in the formulation of EU laws (40%) than to become more

negative about it (36%).


page 18

4. Priorities, benefits and impact of EU policies

Most respondents acknowledged that the EU had a role in tackling some of

the most pressing international issues.

Clear majorities considered all eight EU initiatives presented to them

important.

More than half of respondents (54%) said that the fact that these initiatives

had been created and developed by the European Union made them feel

more positive about the European Union.

Most interviewees would care if any of the listed benefits were lost.

This section discusses UK respondents’ understanding of some specific EU policy areas and the EU’s

role in combating international problems.

4.1 The EU’s role in certain policy areas Most British citizens acknowledged that the EU has a role in tackling some of the most pressing

issues – each of which have clear international dimensions.

The most widely acknowledged roles of

the European Union were the protection

of human rights (85% felt that the EU

had a role), tackling cross-border crime

(80%), countering global terrorism

(76%) and fighting climate change

(76%). About 7 in 10 (71%) survey

participants thought the EU had a role to

play in reducing global poverty, in

regulating financial markets (70%) and

in economic governance (69%). Finally,

more than 6 in 10 (62%) respondents

felt the EU had a role in guaranteeing

the security of energy supplies.

Across all socio-demographic segments,

a majority of respondents believed that

the EU has a role in dealing with each

of these key problems. Even among those with consistently unfavourable views of the EU and the

UK’s membership in it, a clear majority felt that the Union was needed to address seven out of eight

issues - the exception being the fight against global poverty.


4.2 Awareness of the EU’s benefits

Looking at the perceptions of specific benefits citizens may attribute to the EU, most Britons (87%)

confirmed that EU citizens have the right to freely move across Member States. Fewer than 1 in

10 respondents (8%) believed that this was not the case. At least three-quarters of respondents (78%)

in each socio-demographic segment thought that free movement of persons across Member States was

now a reality in the EU.

85

80

76

76

71

70

69

62

Protecting human rights

Tackling cross-border crime

Global terrorism

Tackling climate change

Global poverty

Regulating financial markets

Economic governance

The security of energy supplies

Q12. Which of the following issues do you feel the EU has a role in?% of ”The EU has a role” shown

Base: all respondents

EU has a role in tackling various issues


page 19

87

75

73

58

42

23

8

15

21

28

41

65

4

11

6

14

17

12

All EU citizens have the right to travel to, or studyin, another EU country

The EU budget is larger than the UK's

The EU has very strict food-safety standards

Mobile phone charges (roaming charges, prices, etc.)have decreased for anyone travelling within the EU

There is an EU tax

The EU has a standing army

True False DK/NA

Q5. I will now list a series of statements. For each one, please tell me if you think they are true or false?


True or false?

Three-quarters of British respondents believed that the EU budget was larger than the UK’s. (In

fact the UK’s budget is almost six times larger than the EU’s.3) About 1 in 7 (15%) survey participants

were aware of this, and 1 in 10 (11%) said they did not know. Clear majorities in all socio-

demographic groups gave an incorrect answer.

Almost three-quarters (73%) of Britons believed that the EU had very strict food safety standards.

58% of the British public was aware that an EU law introduced in the summer of 2007 capped cross-

border roaming tariffs in the EU.

42% falsely believed in the existence of an EU tax, while a similar share (41%) gave the right answer.

Men, the most educated, the self-employed and residents of metropolitan areas were more likely to

know that the EU was not financed through such a tax.

Britons were better informed when it came to the military characteristics of the EU. Almost two-thirds

(65%) were aware that the EU had no standing army: roughly a quarter (23%) incorrectly believed

that such an army existed. (For further details see Annex Tables 13-18.)

4.3 Awareness of EU initiatives

The survey asked respondents if they

had heard of nine core EU initiatives.

More than 6 in 10 (62%) respondents

were aware of the new EU pet

passport, which allows pets to travel

more easily between member countries

without undergoing quarantine.

Women, the most educated, citizens

from rural areas and the self-employed

were more likely to be aware of the pet

passport than their respective socio-

demographic counterparts.

About 6 in 10 (61%) respondents knew

about the existence of the European

Health Insurance Card that allows

3 The EU budget for 2010 amounts to 141,5 billion EUR, for details visit:

http://ec.europa.eu/budget/documents/2010_en.htm?go=t1_0#table-1_0 ; while the UK treasury’s planned budget for 2010-2011 amounts to

697 billion £, approx. 823 billion EUR, for details visit: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/junebudget_diagrams.htm

62

61

47

32

28

27

23

22

14

The pet passport

The European Health Insurance Card

The Blue Flag Guide

The Air Passenger Rights Regulation

The hedge fund proposal

The European Arrest Warrant

Guidelines for pay in financialinstitutions

The Bathing Water Report

The citizens' initiative for launching EU-level legislation

Q2. Have you heard of any of the following?%, Base: all respondents

Awareness of initiatives

http://ec.europa.eu/budget/documents/2010_en.htm?go=t1_0#table-1_0


page 20

citizens to receive medical treatment in any other EU country. In comparison to May 2009, awareness

has increased by seven percentage points. Awareness of this card was higher among the most

educated, the self-employed, women and 40-54 year-olds.

The Blue Flag Guide, which is an eco-label for beaches in Europe and beyond was familiar to 47% of

interviewees (+6 percentage points since 2009). The Blue Flag Guide was more widely known among

respondents who were older than 39, the most educated, manual workers and the self-employed.

Roughly a third of the British public (32%) knew about the Air Passenger Rights Regulation that

details what an airline owes you in case of cancellation, denied boarding or severe delay. Men, the

highly educated and respondents from rural areas were more likely to be aware of this EU regulation.

Roughly 3 in 10 (28%) Britons had heard of the hedge fund proposal providing harmonized standards

and greater transparency on alternative investment fund management. Men, respondents older than 39,

the highly educated, residents from rural areas and the self-employed showed higher levels of

awareness concerning this proposal.

Somewhat more than a quarter (27%) of respondents reported having heard of the European Arrest

Warrant (+9 points since 2009). Men, respondents aged between 40-54, the most educated, large city

residents, the self-employed were more likely than their respective counterparts to be familiar with the

term.

A little less than a quarter (23%) have heard of guidelines for pay in financial institutions. Men, 25-

54 year-olds and manual workers were more likely to be aware of the guideline.

In the current survey 22% of Britons said they had heard of the Bathing Water Report (that informs

citizens about the safety and cleanliness standards of Europe’s beaches + 6 points since 2009). Men,

respondents older than 39, highly educated respondents, rural residents and manual workers were more

likely to be aware of this report.

Finally, the citizens’ initiative for launching EU legislation was the least widely known of all nine

listed EU initiatives; only 14% said they had heard of it. The youngest respondents and full-time

students more often said they had heard about the existence of this initiative that enables a million

signatories from a number of EU countries to oblige the EU to make a legislative proposal.


4.4 Importance of the initiatives’ benefits

Next, respondents were asked about the importance of these initiatives for them. Overall, the majority

of the UK public rated the EU initiatives in each of the eight areas as important or very important. This

was especially true for the European Health Insurance Card: 65% of UK respondents felt that this

was a very important initiative for them, and a further 28% stated that they considered it important.

Women, the youngest respondents, full-time students and manual workers were particularly inclined to

consider this card very important.

The EU-coordinated beach water quality monitoring – the Bathing Water Report and the Blue Flag

Guide – was considered to be very important by 42% of respondents and important by a further 42%.

Similar results were found when asking respondents about the importance of the Blue Flag Guide

only: 47% said this initiative was very important and another 40% said it was important. Women, the

oldest respondents, those with lower levels of education and manual workers were more likely to say

that these two initiatives were very important for them.


page 21

65

47

42

39

26

25

19

19

18

28

40

42

45

38

36

39

35

33

4

9

10

10

16

11

20

25

22

3

3

5

5

7

7

11

19

14

1

1

1

2

14

21

11

3

13

The European Health Insurance Card, that allows citizens toreceive medical treatment in any other EU country

The Blue Flag Guide, which indicates how clean our beachesand seas are

The Bathing Water Report and Blue Flag Guide, which informpeople about the safety and cleanliness standards of Europe's

beachesThe Air Passenger Rights Regulation that details what an

airline owes you in case of cancellation, denied boarding orsevere delay

Guidelines for pay in financial institutions

The European Arrest Warrant

The citizens' initiative which enables a million signatories froma number of EU countries to oblige the EU to make a legislative

proposal in areas it is responsible for

The pet passport, which allows pets to travel more easilybetween member countries without undergoing quarantine

The hedge fund proposal providing harmonized standards andgreater transparency on alternative investment fund

management

Very important Important Not important Not important at all DK/NA

Q3. How important are the benefits of these initiatives for you: very important, important, not important or not important at all?


Importance of the initiatives’ benefits

More than 8 in 10 (84%) Britons said that the Air Passenger Rights Regulation was important to

them; 39% found it very important and 45% viewed it as an important initiative. Women, those with

lower levels of education and manual workers were more liable to find this regulation very important.

Almost two-thirds (64%) of survey participants believed in the importance of guidelines for pay in

financial institutions; 26% thought that such guidelines were very important and 38% said they were

important. Women, the highly educated, full-time students and residents of urban areas were more

likely to say that these guidelines were very important for them.

Slightly more than 6 in 10 (61%) said that the European Arrest Warrant was important to them; a

quarter said it was very important and 36% said it was important. These figures represent a

considerable drop compared to May 2009, when 40% found the initiative very important and 36%

important. Respondents aged 40-54, those living in large cities and manual workers more often

considered this European initiative to be very important.

The citizens’ initiative was regarded as a very important initiative by roughly a fifth (19%) of

respondents, while 39% considered it as important. Men and full-time students were more likely to

welcome this as very important.

Although the pet passport was one of the most widely known EU initiatives, only 19% of respondents

considered it very important and another 35% found it important. The most straightforward

explanation for this discrepancy would be that many of those respondents who said it was not

important or not important at all (44%) probably had no pets travelling with them to other EU member

states. Manual workers were by far the most likely of all segments to say that this was a very important

initiative.

Finally, the hedge fund proposal was considered important by about half (51%) of interviewees.

Highly educated respondents were particularly likely to consider this a very important initiative.

It could also be noted that, with the exception of the pet passport, those respondents with consistently

favourable attitudes towards the EU were always considerably more likely to find an initiative to be

very important when compared with those who held consistently unfavourable views of the EU. No

clear pattern was found when comparing the answers of those who felt informed about the EU with

those who did not. (For further details see Annex Tables 3-11.)


page 22

4.5 Impact of EU initiatives on attitudes towards the EU

More than half of respondents (54%) said

that the EU’s role in initiating and

developing the above-mentioned initiative

made them feel more positive about the EU,

while almost a quarter (23%) reported that

they did not. About a fifth (19%) said that

despite the nine initiatives mentioned they

still thought the same way about the EU.

The survey found considerable differences

between the various socio-demographic

groups. Women (56%), the youngest

respondents (15-24 year-olds; 77%), the

highly educated (62%), full-time students

(83%), respondents from metropolitan areas

(63%) and employees (59%) were more

likely to feel more positively about the EU after having heard about several EU initiatives.

Furthermore, those who did not feel informed about EU matters were slightly more inclined than

informed respondents to be positively influenced (55% vs. 50%). (For further details see Annex Table

12.)

4.6 Benefits of EU membership

The survey tested six areas where citizens might see a benefit from the UK’s membership in the EU:

prosecution of criminals, the Single Market, the environment, leverage in global trade negotiations, the

regulation of financial markets and working conditions.

In all six instances, a majority of respondents agreed that each of these might be a benefit of EU

membership. Seven in 10 Britons agreed that criminals can no longer escape prosecution by moving

to another EU member state (29% strongly agreed, 41% agreed). A similar number (69%) agreed that

the UK benefited from the single market. A bit more than 6 in 10 (62%) thought that being a member

of the EU meant a cleaner environment. Almost 6 in 10 (57%) felt that the EU gave the UK a greater

say in global trade talks, while 55% were convinced that EU membership brought improvements in

working conditions (+6 points since 2009). Finally, 54% believed that thanks to EU membership

financial markets could be regulated more effectively.

29

18

14

13

14

11

41

51

48

44

41

43

18

15

26

24

26

26

9

7

8

10

13

11

4

10

5

9

5

8

Criminals can no longer escape prosecution bymoving to another EU member state

UK consumers benefit from the free movement ofgoods resulting from the European Single Market

There is a cleaner environment

The UK has more say in global trade negotiations

There are improved working conditions in the UK

We can regulate financial markets more effectively

Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly disagree DK/NA

Q10. Do you agree or disagree with the following statements? Being part of the EU means that ...?%, Base: all respondents

Being part of the EU means that ...

EU initiatives make you feel ...

54

23

19

3More positive about theEuropean Union

Less positive about theEuropean Union

The same way about theEuropean Union

DK/NA

Q4. Does the fact that these initiatives have been initiated and developed by the European Union make you feel...



page 23

Women, the highly educated, full-time students, residents of metropolitan areas and the self-employed

were the most likely within their respective segments to agree that criminals can no longer escape

prosecution by moving to another EU member state.

Benefits to the consumer due to the European Single Market were clearly seen by the majority in

each socio-demographic and attitudinal segment; even those who otherwise had a consistently

unfavourable opinion on the EU and the UK’s membership mostly agreed (51%). The perception that

consumers were benefiting was exceptionally high among the self-employed, full-time students, the

most educated and metropolitan residents.

Improved working conditions in the UK were seen as a benefit of EU membership by high numbers

of full-time students, young respondents, the self-employed, the highly educated and residents of large

cities.

Respondents aged 25-39, the highly educated and large city residents were more likely than their

socio-demographic counterparts to expect environmental benefits.

The opinion that EU membership would benefit the UK’s role in global trade negotiations was

higher among full-time students, 15-24 year-olds, the highly-educated, residents of metropolitan areas,

the self-employed and employees.

Women, the youngest respondents, full-time students, the highly educated, the self-employed and

showed the highest levels of agreement in their respective segments concerning the statement that

being member of the EU would allow for a better regulation of financial markets.


page 24

Benefits exist (% strongly agree + agree)

consumer

benefits

working

conditions environment

global trade

negotiations

criminals

no longer

escape

regulate

financial

markets

TOTAL 69 55 62 58 70 55

GENDER

Male 70 56 61 57 67 51

Female 67 55 63 59 72 59

AGE

15 – 24 75 69 62 75 72 73

25 – 39 73 62 68 65 74 65

40 – 54 72 59 62 56 74 52

55 + 60 44 56 47 63 46

EDUCATION (end of)

Until 15 years of age 57 44 53 47 63 43

16 – 20 66 54 62 54 68 53

20 + 78 62 66 65 77 61

Still in education 80 71 62 83 79 74

URBANISATION

Metropolitan 76 60 69 64 74 56

Urban 66 54 61 57 70 55

Rural 67 54 58 55 68 55

OCCUPATION

Self-employed 81 66 64 62 82 60

Employee 72 59 63 62 72 59

Manual worker 58 51 62 43 62 45

Not working 63 49 59 54 66 50

SELF-PERCEIVED LEVEL

OF EU INFORMATION

Informed 72 57 58 58 72 50

Not informed 68 55 63 58 69 56

ATTITUDES TOWARDS

THE EU

Consistently favourable 88 80 80 84 80 77

Mixed 69 56 65 57 73 58

Consistently unfavourable 51 33 40 37 53 28


page 25

4.7 Willingness to accept a loss of benefits

Most interviewees would care (at least a bit) if any of the above-listed benefits were lost, e.g. by

not being a member of the EU. Over a third (35%) of interviewees would care greatly if any of these

benefits were lost, and 46% would care a bit. A sixth (17%) or respondents would not mind losing

these benefits if the UK left the EU. These numbers have been quite stable since May 2009.

If the UK was not in the EU ...

35

46

17

3

I would care greatly if we lost oneor more of these benefits

I would care a bit if we lost oneor more of these benefits

I wouldn't care if we lost any ofthese benefits

DK/NA

Q11. If we were not in the EU and were unable to secure a free-trade agreement with it, which of the following best describes your opinion?


36

45

16

3

Fl274 (2009)Fl318 (2010)

Large majorities across all attitudinal and socio-demographic segments would care at least a bit if any

of the listed benefits were lost, should the UK no longer be a member of the EU. Even among those

who were consistently critical of the EU and the UK’s membership, 61% would care at least a bit if

these benefits were lost. Nonetheless, the proportion of those who would greatly care if these

advantages disappeared varied significantly across the various socio-demographic segments: the

highly educated; full-time students and metropolitan residents cared most about losing these benefits.

The survey discovered a very sharp difference across the groups created according to the respondents’

stance towards the EU in general; roughly two-thirds (64%) of those who were consistently favourable

of the EU and the UK’s membership would greatly care if these benefits were lost, a view shared by

only 13% of those who expressed consistently critical opinions.



page 26

5. Political parties and European elections

55% of British respondents felt that European issues had not been important in the last

general election in May 2010.

Equal shares of respondents felt that the Conservatives or Labour, respectively, best

represented their views on Europe (24% and 23%).

5.1 Importance of European issues at last general election

When asked about how important European issues had been in the last general election (May 2010),

41% of Britons said Europe had been an important topic (9% “very important” and 32% “quite

important”. A slim majority (55%), however, said that European topics had not been key issues during

the election campaign. More precisely, 32% said Europe had not been an important issue, while 23%

even said it had been irrelevant.

Women, full-time students, the youngest

respondents, respondents from urban areas and non-

working respondents were more likely to state that

European issues had played an important role during

the last general election. Respondents with

consistently favourable attitudes towards the

European project were considerably more inclined to

feel that Europe had been a central issue (50% vs.

33% of those with consistently unfavourable views

of the EU).


5.2 Representation of views on the EU

Roughly a quarter (24%) of British

respondents selected the Conservatives

as the party that most closely

represented their views on the EU. A

similar share (23%) felt that their views

on European issues were most in line

with those of the Labour Party.

The Liberal Democrats were mentioned

by 13% of respondents, followed by the

United Kingdom Independence Party

(8%). All other parties were mentioned

by not more than 2% of the British

public: the British National Party, the

Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru.

Almost a quarter (24%) chose not to

answer this question.

Men, respondents with low and average

levels of education, rural residents and the self-employed as well as those who regarded themselves as

informed about Europe were more likely to cite the Tories as most closely representative of their views

Importance of European issues at the last general election in May 2010

9

32

32

23

5

Very

Quite

Not very

Irrelevant

DK/NA

Q20. How important were European issues at the last general election in May 2010?


24

23

13

8

2

2

1

5

24

Conservative

Labour

Liberal Democrat

United Kingdom Independence Party

British National Party

Scottish National Party

Plaid Cymru

Other

DK/NA

Q19. Which of the main parties most closely represents your views on the European Union?


Political party that most closely represents respondents’ views on the EU


page 27

on the EU. In addition, EU sceptics were almost twice as likely as EU supporters to name the

Conservative Party.

The youngest respondents, full-time students, large city dwellers, employees and manual workers were

more inclined than their counterparts to conclude that Labour was the party that best represented their

views on the EU.4 Interviewees who were consistently supportive of the EU were more than four times

as likely as EU sceptics to choose the Labour Party.

The Liberal Democrats’ views of Europe were particularly popular among women, the highly

educated, full-time students, citizens from metropolitan and urban areas, the self-employed, those who

were informed about the EU as well as among consistent EU supporters.

The United Kingdom Independence Party, which as the name suggests campaigns for the UK

leaving the EU, was on average most often named as the party that most closely represented their

views on the EU by the oldest respondents (aged 40 and over), manual workers, those who considered

themselves informed about the EU, men, urban and rural residents. Unsurprisingly, those with

consistently unfavourable views of the EU were almost three times as likely to name the UKIP as the

average respondent.

The youngest respondents as well as manual workers were more likely to say that the British National

Party most closely represented their attitudes towards the EU.

Finally, at least a quarter of the following groups did not know which party most closely represented

their views on Europe or simply did not want to answer this question: women, full-time students,

employees, those not informed about the EU, respondents aged 15-39 years and respondents from

rural areas.


4 It should be noted that manual workers were as likely to mention the Conservatives as the party that best represented their views on Europe.

Flash EB Series #318

Attitudes towards the EU in the United Kingdom

Annex tables and

survey details

THE GALLUP ORGANIZATION

Flash EB No 318 – Attitudes towards the EU in the UK Annex

page 29

I. Annex tables Table 1. Attitudes toward the European Union .................................................................................... 31

Table 1. Attitudes toward the European Union .................................................................................... 31

Table 2. Awareness of initiatives ......................................................................................................... 32

Table 3. Importance of the initiatives’ benefits: The European Health Insurance Card....................... 33

Table 4. Importance of the initiatives’ benefits: The Bathing Water Report and Blue Flag Guide

(about safety and cleanliness standards of Europe's beaches) .............................................................. 34

Table 5. Importance of the initiatives’ benefits: The Blue Flag Guide (about cleanliness of UK’s

beaches and seas) .................................................................................................................................. 35

Table 6. Importance of the initiatives’ benefits: The European Arrest Warrant .................................. 36

Table 7. Importance of the initiatives’ benefits: The Air Passenger Rights Regulation ...................... 37

Table 8. Importance of the initiatives’ benefits: The pet passport ....................................................... 38

Table 9. Importance of the initiatives’ benefits: The hedge fund proposal .......................................... 39

Table 10. Importance of the initiatives’ benefits: Guidelines for pay in financial institutions ............ 40

Table 11. Importance of the initiatives’ benefits: The citizens' initiative ............................................. 41

Table 12. EU initiatives make you feel ... ............................................................................................ 42

Table 13. True or false: All EU citizens have the right to travel to, or study in, another EU

country .................................................................................................................................................. 43

Table 14. True or false: Mobile phone charges have decreased for anyone travelling within the

EU ......................................................................................................................................................... 44

Table 15. True or false: The EU has very strict food-safety standards ................................................ 45

Table 16. True or false: The EU has a standing army .......................................................................... 46

Table 17. True or false: There is an EU tax .......................................................................................... 47

Table 18. True or false: The EU budget is larger than the UK's .......................................................... 48

Table 19. Percentage of the UK’s gross national income that goes towards the EU budget ................ 49

Table 20. Economic costs vs. benefits of being in the EU ................................................................... 50

Table 21. Influence of the UK government on EU legislation ............................................................. 51

Table 22. If the UK government had influence on all EU legislation, that would make you feel ... .... 52

Table 23. Being part of the EU means that: UK consumers benefit from the free movement of

goods resulting from the European Single Market ............................................................................... 53

Table 24. Being part of the EU means that: There are improved working conditions in the UK ........ 54

Table 25. Being part of the EU means that: There is a cleaner environment ....................................... 55

Table 26. Being part of the EU means that: The UK has more say in global trade negotiations ......... 56

Table 27. Being part of the EU means that: Criminals can no longer escape prosecution by

moving to another EU member state .................................................................................................... 57

Table 28. Being part of the EU means that: We can regulate financial markets more effectively ....... 58

Table 29. If the UK was not in the EU ... ............................................................................................ 59

Table 30. EU has a role in tackling various issues ............................................................................... 60

Table 31. Perception of the British television ...................................................................................... 61

Table 32. Perception of the British radio .............................................................................................. 62

Annex Flash EB No 318 – Attitudes towards the EU in the UK

page 30

Table 33. Perception of the British press .............................................................................................. 63

Table 34. Knowledge of the EU, its policies and institutions .............................................................. 64

Table 35. Information available on the EU is simple and clear ............................................................ 65

Table 36. Interest in receiving more information about the EU ........................................................... 66

Table 37. If more simple and clear information on the EU were available .......................................... 67

Table 38. Responsibility for keeping citizens informed about the EU and its decisions ..................... 68

Table 39. Political party that most closely represents respondents’ views on the EU ......................... 69

Table 40. Importance of European issues at the last general election in May 2010 ............................. 70


page 31

Table 1. Attitudes toward the European Union

QUESTION: Q1. In general, do you have a more positive or negative image of the European Union?

Total N % Very

negative % Quite negative

% Quite positive

% Very positive

% Neither positive,

nor negative

% DK/NA

TOTAL 1000 14.8 24.4 36.1 6.2 12.6 5.8

SEX

Male 486 18.9 26.5 34 7.3 10.7 2.6

Female 514 11 22.5 38.1 5.2 14.4 8.9

AGE

15 – 24 118 2.3 10.9 60.5 2 20.5 3.8

25 – 39 243 7.5 26 39.1 8 12.5 6.9

40 – 54 265 14.6 29.8 33.2 5.6 11 5.8

55 + 329 24.8 23.6 28.3 6.4 10.7 6.3

EDUCATION (end of)

Until 15 years of age 175 26.4 21.9 20.8 4 16 11

16 – 20 480 16.7 28.7 31.2 4.9 12.5 6

20 + 264 6.9 23.5 49.1 9.7 8.6 2.2

Still in education 69 0 8.4 60.2 6.9 18 6.5

URBANISATION

Metropolitan 207 6.6 20.7 44.1 8.3 17.4 3

Urban 428 16 24.6 35.2 5 13.3 6

Rural 350 18 27.3 32.4 6.4 8.8 7.1

OCCUPATION

Self-employed 87 8.8 31.6 31.3 10.2 17.2 1

Employee 451 10.5 26.4 38.5 5.4 12.3 6.8

Manual worker 44 23.8 28.7 24.3 7.9 10.8 4.5

Not working 409 19.6 20.6 35.9 6 11.8 6.1

SELF-PERCEIVED

LEVEL OF EU INFORMATION

Informed 178 22.4 19.9 39.5 13 5.2 0

Not informed 821 13.1 25.5 35.4 4.8 14.2 6.9

ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE EU

Consistently favourable

212 0 0 83 17 0 0

Mixed 543 7.7 19.5 34 4.8 23.2 10.7

Consistently

unfavourable 245 43.5 56.5 0 0 0 0


page 32

Table 2. Awareness of initiatives QUESTION: Q2_A-I. Have you heard of any of the following?

% of “Yes” shown

To

tal

N

Th

e E

uro

pea

n H

ealt

h

Insu

ran

ce C

ard

Th

e B

ath

ing

Wa

ter

Rep

ort

Th

e B

lue

Fla

g G

uid

e

Th

e E

uro

pea

n A

rres

t W

arr

an

t

Th

e A

ir P

ass

eng

er

Rig

hts

Reg

ula

tio

n

Th

e p

et p

ass

po

rt

Th

e h

edg

e fu

nd

p

rop

osa

l

Gu

idel

ines

fo

r p

ay

in

fi

na

nci

al

inst

itu

tio

ns

Th

e ci

tize

ns'

in

itia

tiv

e fo

r la

un

chin

g E

U-l

evel

le

gis

lati

on

TOTAL 1000 61 22.3 46.8 26.8 32.1 61.6 28.3 22.5 14.3

SEX

Male 486 55.8 24.6 47.6 34.4 33.9 59 31.3 24.5 13.6

Female 514 66 20.2 46.1 19.6 30.5 64 25.4 20.7 14.9

AGE

15 – 24 118 57.8 3.8 14.4 18.9 18.5 35.5 19 14.4 18.2

25 – 39 243 57.3 18.7 34.8 21.1 33.2 64.5 24.9 27.4 14.3

40 – 54 265 66.3 27.7 57.6 32.5 33.8 67.7 28.3 25.1 12.8

55 + 329 60.3 25.7 55.7 28.5 35.3 61.8 30.7 18.7 13.5

EDUCATION (end of)

Until 15 years of age 175 46.9 18.6 46.9 22.1 27.3 58.4 20.4 17.6 11.4

16 – 20 480 60.1 21.5 46 20.9 31.3 60.9 28.6 23.5 15.2

20 + 264 72.9 29.6 57.4 40.1 40.5 71.9 35.3 24.3 12.7

Still in education 69 63 13.4 16 29.4 20.2 39 20.4 21.2 21

URBANISATION

Metropolitan 207 62.6 21.1 41.4 32.6 29.7 55.7 27.6 22.3 13.9

Urban 428 63.5 19.9 47.1 25.5 30.6 59.9 26.4 24.7 16.4

Rural 350 59.1 26.5 50.3 25.6 36.2 68 31.9 20.8 11.8

OCCUPATION

Self-employed 87 68.8 20.4 53 40.5 33 70.6 42.4 26.4 6.7

Employee 451 63.9 21.3 45.3 23 29.2 64.2 25.9 23.5 13.8

Manual worker 44 42.4 28.8 54.7 20.9 30.1 65.7 37.7 37 9.6

Not working 409 59.2 23.6 46.6 28.6 35.6 56.5 27.3 19.3 17.1

SELF-PERCEIVED LEVEL OF EU

INFORMATION

Informed 178 77.8 44.6 66.6 55.6 54.7 80.9 44.4 38.8 23.4

Not informed 821 57.5 17.5 42.6 20.5 27.1 57.4 24.8 19 12.2

ATTITUDES

TOWARDS THE

EU

Consistently

favourable 212 69.4 31.8 51.3 40.5 38.3 64.2 33.6 25.7 22.7

Mixed 543 55.6 15.7 39.5 18.9 28.8 55.9 24 19.8 11.9

Consistently

unfavourable 245 65.8 28.6 59.1 32.4 34.1 71.8 33.2 25.8 12.2


page 33

Table 3. Importance of the initiatives’ benefits: The European Health Insurance Card QUESTION: Q3_A. How important are the benefits of these initiatives for you: very important, important, not

important or not important at all? - The European Health Insurance Card, that allows citizens to receive medical

treatment in any other EU country

Total N

% Not important

at all % Not

important %

Important % Very

important %

DK/NA

TOTAL 1000 2.6 4.2 27.6 64.8 0.7

SEX

Male 486 4.2 4.1 30.4 60.4 1

Female 514 1.2 4.4 25 69 0.5

AGE

15 – 24 118 0 0 29.3 70.7 0

25 – 39 243 1.9 3.2 29.8 64.7 0.4

40 – 54 265 3.2 3.8 27.9 64.8 0.4

55 + 329 3.6 6.1 24.9 63.7 1.6

EDUCATION (end of)

Until 15 years of age 175 4.4 8.2 24.7 61.2 1.5

16 – 20 480 3.1 4.2 29.3 62.9 0.4

20 + 264 1.1 2.7 29.7 65.5 1

Still in education 69 0 0 17.5 82.5 0

URBANISATION

Metropolitan 207 2.2 2.8 31 63.7 0.3

Urban 428 1.9 4.1 26 66.9 1.1

Rural 350 3.8 5.1 28.3 62.2 0.6

OCCUPATION

Self-employed 87 5.6 1 31.2 62.3 0

Employee 451 1.8 3.9 29.9 64.2 0.2

Manual worker 44 4.6 6.5 17.1 70.3 1.5

Not working 409 2.8 5.2 25.6 65.1 1.4

SELF-PERCEIVED


Informed 178 3.7 5 23.8 67 0.5

Not informed 821 2.4 4.1 28.4 64.4 0.7


Consistently favourable 212 0.3 2.3 19 78.4 0

Mixed 543 2.1 2.8 27.6 66.3 1.1

Consistently unfavourable 245 5.9 9 35 49.6 0.5


page 34

Table 4. Importance of the initiatives’ benefits: The Bathing Water Report and Blue Flag Guide (about safety and cleanliness standards of Europe's beaches) QUESTION: Q3_B. How important are the benefits of these initiatives for you: very important, important, not

important or not important at all? - The Bathing Water Report and Blue Flag Guide, which inform people about the

safety and cleanliness standards of Europe's beaches

Total N

% Not important

at all % Not

important %

Important % Very

important %

DK/NA

TOTAL 1000 5 9.6 42.2 42.4 0.9

SEX

Male 486 6.6 12 40.4 40.1 0.9

Female 514 3.5 7.2 43.9 44.5 0.9

AGE

15 – 24 118 8.4 10.1 46.5 33 2

25 – 39 243 4.6 9.2 51.6 34.3 0.4

40 – 54 265 5.1 12.1 38.2 43.6 1.1

55 + 329 4.4 8.3 36.6 49.8 0.9

EDUCATION (end of)


16 – 20 480 4.5 10.5 40 44.2 0.8

20 + 264 4.8 7.9 49.8 36.8 0.8

Still in education 69 7 15.3 43.6 30.7 3.4

URBANISATION

Metropolitan 207 5.7 9.2 44.9 37.5 2.8

Urban 428 4.2 8.4 43.2 43.6 0.6

Rural 350 5.4 11.1 39.1 44.1 0.2

OCCUPATION

Self-employed 87 3.1 11.5 42.7 41.2 1.5

Employee 451 4.1 10.3 48.5 36.8 0.3

Manual worker 44 2 12.3 22.4 59.7 3.7

Not working 409 6.6 8.2 37 47 1.1

SELF-PERCEIVED

LEVEL OF EU

INFORMATION

Informed 178 6 12.6 41 39.9 0.5

Not informed 821 4.8 8.9 42.3 43 1

ATTITUDES

TOWARDS THE EU

Consistently favourable 212 3.7 7 43.3 46.1 0

Mixed 543 3.7 7.5 45.3 42.1 1.4

Consistently unfavourable 245 8.8 16.4 34.5 39.7 0.5


page 35

Table 5. Importance of the initiatives’ benefits: The Blue Flag Guide (about cleanliness of UK’s beaches and seas) QUESTION: Q3_C. How important are the benefits of these initiatives for you: very important, important, not

important or not important at all? - The Blue Flag Guide, which indicates how clean our beaches and seas are

Total N

% Not important

at all % Not

important %

Important % Very

important %

DK/NA

TOTAL 1000 3.1 8.7 40.1 46.9 1.1

SEX

Male 486 4.2 10.5 41.9 42 1.4

Female 514 2.2 7.1 38.3 51.6 0.9

AGE

15 – 24 118 0 19.1 39.2 39.3 2.3

25 – 39 243 4.7 8.5 47.8 38.2 0.7

40 – 54 265 4 8.7 39.6 46.2 1.4

55 + 329 2.8 5.7 34.5 56.1 0.9

EDUCATION (end of)

Until 15 years of age 175 2.9 7 31.5 57.5 1

16 – 20 480 4.2 8.1 37.7 48.9 1.1

20 + 264 2.3 8.1 50.2 38.9 0.6

Still in education 69 0 21.4 39.8 34.8 4

URBANISATION

Metropolitan 207 3.1 12.9 36.9 46.5 0.6

Urban 428 3.1 6.9 41.7 47 1.4

Rural 350 3.3 8.9 40 46.8 1

OCCUPATION

Self-employed 87 3.8 8.6 43.4 42.7 1.5

Employee 451 3 10 46.2 40 0.7

Manual worker 44 3.9 7.6 21.3 65 2.2

Not working 409 3.2 7.7 34.6 53.2 1.4

SELF-PERCEIVED

LEVEL OF EU

INFORMATION

Informed 178 4 6.4 48.3 40.8 0.5

Not informed 821 3 9.3 38.3 48.3 1.2

ATTITUDES

TOWARDS THE EU

Consistently favourable 212 0.6 6.7 42.8 48.5 1.3

Mixed 543 2.9 6.7 40.4 48.8 1.2

Consistently unfavourable 245 5.9 15 36.8 41.5 0.8


page 36

Table 6. Importance of the initiatives’ benefits: The European Arrest Warrant QUESTION: Q3_D. How important are the benefits of these initiatives for you: very important, important, not

important or not important at all? - The European Arrest Warrant

Total N

% Not important

at all % Not

important %

Important % Very

important %

DK/NA

TOTAL 1000 7.3 10.6 35.9 25.4 20.8

SEX

Male 486 9.5 12.5 37.1 24.5 16.4

Female 514 5.1 8.8 34.8 26.3 24.9

AGE

15 – 24 118 6.5 10.3 54.2 12.6 16.4

25 – 39 243 5 10.8 40.7 22.5 21

40 – 54 265 6.2 11 32.6 30.7 19.5

55 + 329 9.6 11.3 29.1 26.8 23.1

EDUCATION (end of)


16 – 20 480 6.1 10 34.9 27.3 21.8

20 + 264 6 11.3 39.3 24 19.5

Still in education 69 7.3 7.3 50.2 13.6 21.6

URBANISATION

Metropolitan 207 5.3 12.4 35.6 29.8 16.8

Urban 428 7.6 9.1 35.7 24.2 23.3

Rural 350 8.1 11.8 36.6 24.1 19.5

OCCUPATION

Self-employed 87 6.8 13.8 37.3 27.1 14.9

Employee 451 5.5 9.8 38.6 24 22.2

Manual worker 44 2 19.6 16.8 43.1 18.6

Not working 409 10.1 10.1 34.7 24.6 20.5

SELF-PERCEIVED

LEVEL OF EU

INFORMATION

Informed 178 8.1 11 39.2 27.7 14

Not informed 821 7.1 10.6 35.2 24.9 22.2

ATTITUDES

TOWARDS THE EU


Mixed 543 6.3 8.1 39.4 23.2 23.1



page 37

Table 7. Importance of the initiatives’ benefits: The Air Passenger Rights Regulation QUESTION: Q3_E. How important are the benefits of these initiatives for you: very important, important, not

important or not important at all? - The Air Passenger Rights Regulation that details what an airline owes you in case

of cancellation, denied boarding or severe delay

Total N

% Not important

at all % Not

important %

Important % Very

important %

DK/NA

TOTAL 1000 4.6 9.7 44.8 38.6 2.3

SEX

Male 486 6.8 11.9 44.5 34.7 2.1

Female 514 2.5 7.6 45.2 42.3 2.4

AGE

15 – 24 118 4.3 6.5 66.4 20.5 2.3

25 – 39 243 1.7 9.1 47 40.3 1.8

40 – 54 265 4.9 10.2 42.7 39.8 2.5

55 + 329 6.4 11.2 39.1 41 2.4

EDUCATION (end of)


16 – 20 480 3.9 10.1 44 40.5 1.5

20 + 264 3.3 8.1 49.6 36.1 2.8

Still in education 69 7.5 8 67.7 16.9 0

URBANISATION

Metropolitan 207 5.4 8.8 47.2 37.9 0.7

Urban 428 4.4 9.3 44.9 39.1 2.3

Rural 350 3.9 11 43.3 38.7 3

OCCUPATION

Self-employed 87 4.6 11.2 50.3 34 0

Employee 451 2.9 7.8 50.5 36.8 2

Manual worker 44 4.6 11.3 33.6 48.3 2.2

Not working 409 5.8 11.6 38.6 40.9 3.1

SELF-PERCEIVED


Informed 178 6.5 10.1 42.6 39.3 1.4

Not informed 821 4.2 9.6 45.4 38.5 2.4


Consistently favourable 212 0.7 6.6 50 42.3 0.4

Mixed 543 5.1 6.8 46.6 39 2.5



page 38

Table 8. Importance of the initiatives’ benefits: The pet passport QUESTION: Q3_F. How important are the benefits of these initiatives for you: very important, important, not

important or not important at all? - The pet passport, which allows pets to travel more easily between member

countries without undergoing quarantine

Total N

% Not important

at all % Not

important %

Important % Very

important %

DK/NA

TOTAL 1000 18.6 25 35.1 18.6 2.7

SEX

Male 486 21.6 26.1 32.5 17.6 2.2

Female 514 15.8 24 37.5 19.5 3.2

AGE

15 – 24 118 10.2 31 48 10.7 0

25 – 39 243 18.3 30.1 31.5 18.9 1.2

40 – 54 265 25 21.6 32.8 17.8 2.8

55 + 329 16.4 22.7 34.1 22.2 4.6

EDUCATION (end of)

Until 15 years of age 175 17 22.6 31.1 27 2.3

16 – 20 480 16 24.8 36.5 19.9 2.8

20 + 264 27.6 25.7 32.3 11.1 3.3

Still in education 69 7.8 27.8 50.4 14 0

URBANISATION

Metropolitan 207 19.6 25.6 38 14.3 2.6

Urban 428 17.6 23.5 36.6 19.3 3

Rural 350 19.7 25.8 32 20 2.5

OCCUPATION

Self-employed 87 27.8 17.8 37.4 15.9 1

Employee 451 18.8 30.8 34.4 13.9 2.2

Manual worker 44 15.6 10.7 20.9 49.1 3.7

Not working 409 16.8 21.3 37.3 20.9 3.6


INFORMATION

Informed 178 25 22.6 36.1 15 1.3

Not informed 821 17.3 25.5 34.8 19.4 3

ATTITUDES

TOWARDS THE EU

Consistently favourable 212 18 22.3 40.5 16.2 3

Mixed 543 15.4 25 38.1 19.3 2.3

Consistently unfavourable 245 26.3 27.6 23.7 19 3.4


page 39

Table 9. Importance of the initiatives’ benefits: The hedge fund proposal QUESTION: Q3_G. How important are the benefits of these initiatives for you: very important, important, not

important or not important at all? - The hedge fund proposal providing harmonized standards and greater

transparency on alternative investment fund management

Total N

% Not important

at all % Not

important %

Important % Very

important %

DK/NA

TOTAL 1000 14.4 22.4 32.5 18.3 12.5

SEX

Male 486 16.2 24.7 30.7 19 9.4

Female 514 12.7 20.2 34.2 17.5 15.4

AGE

15 – 24 118 8.3 29.7 39.7 5.9 16.5

25 – 39 243 12.4 26.3 37.1 15.3 8.9

40 – 54 265 17 18.7 32.5 20.2 11.7

55 + 329 16.1 20.6 27.4 22.3 13.7

EDUCATION (end of)

Until 15 years of age 175 21.1 22.4 24.2 15 17.2

16 – 20 480 12.6 24.8 35.5 15.5 11.6

20 + 264 15 17.4 31.2 26 10.3


URBANISATION

Metropolitan 207 11.2 18.5 39.4 19.7 11.2

Urban 428 13.9 24 31.2 17.1 13.7

Rural 350 16.9 22.3 30.3 19.1 11.4

OCCUPATION

Self-employed 87 13.3 23.4 35.9 22.6 4.7

Employee 451 13.7 23.8 32.7 17.9 11.9

Manual worker 44 7.7 31.7 25.1 20 15.5

Not working 409 16 19.5 32.6 17.7 14.1

SELF-PERCEIVED


Informed 178 15.4 23.4 28.1 25.1 8

Not informed 821 14.2 22.2 33.4 16.8 13.4



Mixed 543 13.6 22.1 34.5 14.8 15.1

Consistently unfavourable 245 23.1 27 22.6 16.3 11.1


page 40

Table 10. Importance of the initiatives’ benefits: Guidelines for pay in financial institutions QUESTION: Q3_H. How important are the benefits of these initiatives for you: very important, important, not

important or not important at all? - Guidelines for pay in financial institutions

Total N

% Not important

at all % Not

important %

Important % Very

important %

DK/NA

TOTAL 1000 6.9 16.1 37.5 26 13.5

SEX

Male 486 9.2 18.3 36.3 23.8 12.4

Female 514 4.8 14 38.6 28 14.5

AGE

15 – 24 118 4.3 15.4 47.5 24.4 8.4

25 – 39 243 3.6 15.1 42.8 26.2 12.4

40 – 54 265 7.6 15.6 34.6 29.8 12.5

55 + 329 10 17.8 31.2 23.7 17.2

EDUCATION (end of)


16 – 20 480 8.2 17.5 38.3 23.1 12.9

20 + 264 4.5 16 35 30.5 14

Still in education 69 0 7.7 53.7 31.8 6.8

URBANISATION

Metropolitan 207 4 15 46.1 24.9 10.1

Urban 428 6.5 16 35.2 28.7 13.6

Rural 350 9.5 16.7 34.8 23.2 15.8

OCCUPATION

Self-employed 87 7.9 10.6 39.8 27.3 14.4

Employee 451 3.5 17.3 39.1 27.1 13

Manual worker 44 6.5 16.7 36.8 26.4 13.6

Not working 409 10.5 15.8 35.3 24.3 14.1

SELF-PERCEIVED


Informed 178 7.6 14.1 38.8 27.9 11.7

Not informed 821 6.8 16.5 37.2 25.6 13.9



Mixed 543 6.3 15 37 26.6 15.1



page 41

Table 11. Importance of the initiatives’ benefits: The citizens' initiative QUESTION: Q3_I. How important are the benefits of these initiatives for you: very important, important, not

important or not important at all? - The citizens' initiative which enables a million signatories from a number of EU

countries to oblige the EU to make a legislative proposal in areas it is responsible for

Total N

% Not important

at all % Not

important %

Important % Very

important %

DK/NA

TOTAL 1000 11 20.1 38.8 18.7 11.4

SEX

Male 486 14.2 21 35.7 20.7 8.4

Female 514 8 19.3 41.7 16.8 14.3

AGE

15 – 24 118 4.2 18.9 46.7 22.3 7.9

25 – 39 243 6.7 24.4 41.8 16.7 10.3

40 – 54 265 15.2 18 35.6 21.6 9.6

55 + 329 12.7 20 35.5 16.4 15.5

EDUCATION (end of)

Until 15 years of age 175 14.2 24 33.9 13.7 14.2

16 – 20 480 10.4 19.9 39 18.5 12.2

20 + 264 11.4 18.9 39.5 20.5 9.8


URBANISATION

Metropolitan 207 7 22.6 43.6 20.4 6.4

Urban 428 12 18.5 37.1 19.7 12.8

Rural 350 12.2 20.4 38 16.6 12.8

OCCUPATION

Self-employed 87 14 21.3 40.5 16.4 7.8

Employee 451 10.3 20.1 40.3 18.4 10.8

Manual worker 44 4.6 24.3 38.1 18 15.1

Not working 409 11.5 19.3 37 19.5 12.7

SELF-PERCEIVED


Informed 178 20 20 34.6 19.3 5.9

Not informed 821 9.1 20.1 39.7 18.5 12.6



Mixed 543 9.4 19.1 39.5 17.1 14.8



page 42

Table 12. EU initiatives make you feel ... QUESTION: Q4. Does the fact that these initiatives have been initiated and developed by the European Union make

you feel...

Total N

% The same way about the

European Union

% Less positive about the European

Union

% More positive about the European

Union % DK/NA

TOTAL 1000 19.4 23.1 54.4 3.1

SEX

Male 486 19.3 26.6 52.2 1.9

Female 514 19.5 19.8 56.4 4.3

AGE

15 – 24 118 12.6 8.6 76.9 2

25 – 39 243 17.8 11.6 66.7 3.8

40 – 54 265 23.8 24 49.1 3.1

55 + 329 18.9 35.8 42.1 3.3

EDUCATION (end of)

Until 15 years of age 175 14.2 42.1 41 2.8

16 – 20 480 19.6 24.7 51.7 4.1

20 + 264 23.9 13.5 61.5 1.1

Still in education 69 12.5 0 82.7 4.8

URBANISATION

Metropolitan 207 20.8 12.8 63 3.3

Urban 428 22 20.8 55.2 1.9

Rural 350 15 32 49 4

OCCUPATION

Self-employed 87 25.5 21.7 52.8 0

Employee 451 19.8 18.4 59 2.8

Manual worker 44 11.1 29.1 53.1 6.7

Not working 409 18.2 27.9 50.2 3.7


INFORMATION

Informed 178 18.3 30.5 49.8 1.4

Not informed 821 19.7 21.5 55.4 3.4

ATTITUDES

TOWARDS THE EU

Consistently favourable 212 9.3 4.7 85.3 0.7

Mixed 543 22 17.5 55.8 4.8

Consistently unfavourable 245 22.5 51.5 24.4 1.6


page 43

Table 13. True or false: All EU citizens have the right to travel to, or study in, another EU country QUESTION: Q5_A. I will now list a series of statements. For each one, please tell me if you think they are true or

false? - All EU citizens have the right to travel to, or study in, another EU country

Total N % True % False % DK/NA

TOTAL 1000 87.3 8.4 4.3

SEX

Male 486 88.6 7.7 3.7

Female 514 86.1 9.1 4.7

AGE

15 – 24 118 91.6 6 2.4

25 – 39 243 90.3 6 3.7

40 – 54 265 84.5 10 5.5

55 + 329 86 9.5 4.6

EDUCATION (end of)

Until 15 years of age 175 82.9 10.5 6.6

16 – 20 480 84.9 10.1 5

20 + 264 91.5 6.1 2.5

Still in education 69 100 0 0

URBANISATION

Metropolitan 207 88 7.9 4.1

Urban 428 88.1 8.9 3

Rural 350 86 8.2 5.8

OCCUPATION

Self-employed 87 85.2 11.9 2.9

Employee 451 87.6 8.4 4

Manual worker 44 77.8 14.5 7.7

Not working 409 88.6 7 4.4


OF EU INFORMATION

Informed 178 92.6 6.4 1

Not informed 821 86.3 8.7 5

ATTITUDES TOWARDS

THE EU

Consistently favourable 212 93.3 4.6 2.1

Mixed 543 85.8 8.2 5.9

Consistently unfavourable 245 85.5 12.1 2.4


page 44

Table 14. True or false: Mobile phone charges have decreased for anyone travelling within the EU QUESTION: Q5_B. I will now list a series of statements. For each one, please tell me if you think they are true or

false? - Mobile phone charges (roaming charges, prices, etc.) have decreased for anyone travelling within the EU


TOTAL 1000 57.7 28.1 14.3

SEX

Male 486 62.9 24 13.1

Female 514 52.7 31.9 15.3

AGE

15 – 24 118 48.3 40.8 10.9

25 – 39 243 66.8 25 8.2

40 – 54 265 63.4 25.3 11.3

55 + 329 50 27.2 22.8

EDUCATION (end of)


16 – 20 480 53.4 29.8 16.8

20 + 264 73.9 18.6 7.5

Still in education 69 53.7 39.3 7

URBANISATION

Metropolitan 207 60 25.9 14.1

Urban 428 56.3 28.3 15.5

Rural 350 58 28.7 13.3

OCCUPATION


Employee 451 65.2 25.2 9.6


Not working 409 48.5 30.4 21.1

SELF-PERCEIVED LEVEL OF EU INFORMATION

Informed 178 72 18.9 9.1

Not informed 821 54.6 30.1 15.3



Mixed 543 53.4 30.6 16



page 45

Table 15. True or false: The EU has very strict food-safety standards QUESTION: Q5_C. I will now list a series of statements. For each one, please tell me if you think they are true or

false? - The EU has very strict food-safety standards


TOTAL 1000 73.4 21 5.6

SEX

Male 486 70.3 23.9 5.9

Female 514 76.5 18.2 5.3

AGE

15 – 24 118 80.8 12.5 6.7

25 – 39 243 81.3 15.5 3.1

40 – 54 265 72 22.1 6

55 + 329 66.1 27.1 6.7

EDUCATION (end of)


16 – 20 480 73.6 19.3 7.1

20 + 264 79.3 18 2.7

Still in education 69 73.3 23.5 3.3

URBANISATION

Metropolitan 207 71.5 20.4 8.1

Urban 428 76.3 18.6 5.1

Rural 350 71.2 24.3 4.5

OCCUPATION


Employee 451 77.1 19.9 3


Not working 409 68.6 22.4 9


OF EU INFORMATION

Informed 178 72.7 25.1 2.2

Not informed 821 73.5 20.2 6.3

ATTITUDES TOWARDS

THE EU

Consistently favourable 212 84 14 2

Mixed 543 72.8 19.9 7.3



page 46

Table 16. True or false: The EU has a standing army QUESTION: Q5_D. I will now list a series of statements. For each one, please tell me if you think they are true or

false? - The EU has a standing army


TOTAL 1000 22.9 65 12

SEX

Male 486 21.9 70.1 8

Female 514 23.9 60.2 15.9

AGE

15 – 24 118 36.2 51.8 12

25 – 39 243 32.5 55.9 11.6

40 – 54 265 16.5 71 12.5

55 + 329 16.7 70.3 13

EDUCATION (end of)

Until 15 years of age 175 29.2 54 16.7

16 – 20 480 27.4 57.7 14.9

20 + 264 9 85.6 5.4

Still in education 69 25.7 66.6 7.7

URBANISATION

Metropolitan 207 23.8 67.6 8.6

Urban 428 20.2 66.2 13.5

Rural 350 25 63.3 11.7

OCCUPATION


Employee 451 23.2 64.7 12.1

Manual worker 44 15 72 13

Not working 409 22.6 64.1 13.3


OF EU INFORMATION

Informed 178 14.8 80.1 5.1

Not informed 821 24.8 61.8 13.5

ATTITUDES TOWARDS

THE EU


Mixed 543 27.2 56.3 16.5



page 47

Table 17. True or false: There is an EU tax QUESTION: Q5_E. I will now list a series of statements. For each one, please tell me if you think they are true or

false? - There is an EU tax


TOTAL 1000 42.4 40.7 16.9

SEX

Male 486 37.6 47.6 14.8

Female 514 46.9 34.2 18.9

AGE

15 – 24 118 45.3 38.3 16.4

25 – 39 243 41.7 41.8 16.4

40 – 54 265 40.9 45.1 14

55 + 329 42.4 38.6 19

EDUCATION (end of)

Until 15 years of age 175 46.8 32.2 21

16 – 20 480 45.1 36.3 18.7

20 + 264 35.4 52.9 11.8

Still in education 69 36.9 48.2 15

URBANISATION

Metropolitan 207 34.2 49 16.8

Urban 428 43 39.6 17.4

Rural 350 45.9 37.6 16.4

OCCUPATION

Self-employed 87 38.4 51.3 10.4

Employee 451 43 42.1 15

Manual worker 44 40.5 34.2 25.3

Not working 409 42.5 37.8 19.7


OF EU INFORMATION

Informed 178 29.5 59.9 10.5

Not informed 821 45.1 36.6 18.3

ATTITUDES TOWARDS

THE EU

Consistently favourable 212 29.6 57.3 13

Mixed 543 46.7 33.1 20.1



page 48

Table 18. True or false: The EU budget is larger than the UK's QUESTION: Q5_F. I will now list a series of statements. For each one, please tell me if you think they are true or

false? - The EU budget is larger than the UK's


TOTAL 1000 74.9 14.7 10.5

SEX

Male 486 76 16.4 7.6

Female 514 73.8 13 13.2

AGE

15 – 24 118 65.1 17.1 17.8

25 – 39 243 76.5 16.1 7.4

40 – 54 265 74.1 15.6 10.3

55 + 329 79.3 10.5 10.2

EDUCATION (end of)

Until 15 years of age 175 72 13.7 14.3

16 – 20 480 80.2 11.9 7.9

20 + 264 70.6 19.2 10.2

Still in education 69 64.1 18 17.9

URBANISATION

Metropolitan 207 64.2 21.3 14.5

Urban 428 75.8 13.7 10.4

Rural 350 80.9 10.9 8.2

OCCUPATION


Employee 451 75.2 15.3 9.5

Manual worker 44 88.3 11.7 0

Not working 409 74.2 12.3 13.5


OF EU INFORMATION

Informed 178 76.4 16.4 7.2

Not informed 821 74.6 14.2 11.2

ATTITUDES TOWARDS

THE EU


Mixed 543 74.3 12.4 13.2



page 49

Table 19. Percentage of the UK’s gross national income that goes towards the EU budget QUESTION: Q6. What percentage of the UK's gross national income do you think goes towards the EU budget?

Total N

% 0-3 %

% 4-5 %

% 6-10 %

% 11-20 %

% 21-40 %

% 41-100 %

% DK/NA

TOTAL 1000 9 11.1 15 10.9 8.6 7.5 37.9

SEX

Male 486 14 15.8 18.1 11.5 6.5 6 28

Female 514 4.2 6.6 12 10.5 10.6 8.9 47.2

AGE

15 – 24 118 4.1 11 10.7 14.2 10 6.4 43.6

25 – 39 243 12.8 13.1 15.4 13.5 8.9 5 31.3

40 – 54 265 11 14 20.6 10.1 6.8 6.2 31.3

55 + 329 5.9 7.7 12.2 8.9 10 10.9 44.5

EDUCATION (end of)

Until 15 years of age 175 6.3 2.8 7.6 7 9.9 13.2 53.1

16 – 20 480 6.4 9.9 15.8 12.6 9.6 7.5 38.2

20 + 264 15.7 18.6 19.8 10.3 5.7 3 26.9

Still in education 69 6.4 10.9 12.2 14 10.7 8.4 37.3

URBANISATION

Metropolitan 207 17.6 11.1 12.5 10.6 6.1 5.1 37.1

Urban 428 8.1 13.8 13.9 11.4 7 6.6 39.2

Rural 350 5.1 7.6 18.1 10.9 12.1 9.7 36.3

OCCUPATION

Self-employed 87 19.5 18.1 22.8 13.2 7.2 1.3 17.8

Employee 451 11.5 12.4 17.2 12.6 8.5 4.8 33

Manual worker 44 4.9 15.5 14.4 4.7 7.8 11.4 41.3

Not working 409 4.3 7.4 11.2 9.5 9.3 11.2 47.2

SELF-PERCEIVED


Informed 178 15.3 14.1 22.1 13 7.1 5.5 22.9

Not informed 821 7.6 10.4 13.5 10.5 8.9 8 41.1


Consistently favourable 212 13.6 17.1 16.8 12.7 6.9 6.5 26.5

Mixed 543 6.6 8.3 12.5 10.2 9.1 6.9 46.3

Consistently

unfavourable 245 10.3 12.1 18.8 11.2 8.8 9.7 29.2


page 50

Table 20. Economic costs vs. benefits of being in the EU QUESTION: Q7. In your opinion, do the economic costs of being in the EU exceed the benefits or do the benefits

exceed the cost?

Total N

% The economic costs exceed the

benefits

% The benefits exceed the

economic costs

% They are in

balance %

DK/NA

TOTAL 1000 39.7 32.5 15.8 12.1

SEX

Male 486 41 37 14.7 7.3

Female 514 38.4 28.2 16.9 16.6

AGE

15 – 24 118 23 37.3 23.4 16.3

25 – 39 243 32.5 36.3 17.4 13.8

40 – 54 265 42.7 34 13.8 9.5

55 + 329 48.4 26.4 13.8 11.3

EDUCATION (end of)

Until 15 years of age 175 45.3 22.2 14.7 17.9

16 – 20 480 43.5 28.4 16.9 11.2

20 + 264 34.9 43.6 14.9 6.5

Still in education 69 18.2 43.5 16 22.3

URBANISATION

Metropolitan 207 30.9 34 23.2 11.8

Urban 428 40.7 31.2 14.5 13.6

Rural 350 44 32.9 13.5 9.6

OCCUPATION

Self-employed 87 34.5 36.4 20.4 8.8

Employee 451 37.8 36.2 14.3 11.8

Manual worker 44 45.8 33.1 7.2 13.9

Not working 409 42.4 27.4 17.6 12.6

SELF-PERCEIVED

LEVEL OF EU

INFORMATION

Informed 178 43.4 42.7 8.3 5.6

Not informed 821 38.9 30.3 17.4 13.4

ATTITUDES TOWARDS

THE EU

Consistently favourable 212 0 100 0 0

Mixed 543 27.9 20.7 29.1 22.2

Consistently unfavourable 245 100 0 0 0


page 51

Table 21. Influence of the UK government on EU legislation QUESTION: Q8. According to you, how much say has the UK government in the way that EU laws are made ...?

Total N

% Very little % Little

% A fair amount % A lot

% DK/NA

TOTAL 1000 18.3 30.7 38.6 10.2 2.2

SEX

Male 486 21 29.2 37.7 10.9 1.2

Female 514 15.7 32.1 39.5 9.5 3.2

AGE

15 – 24 118 6.3 25 56 12.7 0

25 – 39 243 17.2 27.6 42.4 10.4 2.3

40 – 54 265 17 36.9 35.5 8.9 1.7

55 + 329 24.3 29.3 33 10.1 3.4

EDUCATION (end of)


16 – 20 480 21.1 30.9 37.6 8.2 2.2

20 + 264 11 32.7 41.6 12.9 1.8

Still in education 69 3.4 21.1 64.9 10.5 0

URBANISATION

Metropolitan 207 12.3 32.1 42.4 11.1 2.2

Urban 428 18.1 29.9 38.7 11 2.2

Rural 350 22.1 30.5 36.7 8.6 2.1

OCCUPATION

Self-employed 87 9.6 41.1 37.5 11.7 0

Employee 451 17 31.3 39.6 9.5 2.6

Manual worker 44 25.4 30.1 30.9 12 1.7

Not working 409 20.9 27.3 38.9 10.5 2.4

SELF-PERCEIVED

LEVEL OF EU

INFORMATION

Informed 178 25.1 18.6 40.4 15.1 0.8

Not informed 821 16.7 33.3 38.4 9.1 2.5

ATTITUDES

TOWARDS THE EU


Mixed 543 15.9 32.5 39.8 8.3 3.5



page 52

Table 22. If the UK government had influence on all EU legislation, that would make you feel ... QUESTION: Q9. If you knew the UK government always had a say in the way EU laws were made, that would make

you feel:

Total N

% Would not change, feel

the same way

% Less positive about UK

membership of the EU

% More positive about UK

membership of the EU

% DK/NA

TOTAL 1000 16.9 22 59.2 2

SEX

Male 486 18 25.2 55 1.8

Female 514 15.8 19 63.1 2.2

AGE

15 – 24 118 10.9 10.1 74.6 4.4

25 – 39 243 17.6 15.8 64.8 1.7

40 – 54 265 19.8 23 56 1.2

55 + 329 16.1 27.6 54.1 2.2

EDUCATION (end of)


16 – 20 480 13.3 23.1 61.5 2.1

20 + 264 27.7 13.8 57.1 1.4

Still in education 69 16.7 8.9 71 3.4

URBANISATION

Metropolitan 207 19.4 13.2 62 5.4

Urban 428 17 20.6 61.8 0.7

Rural 350 15.3 29.2 54.1 1.4

OCCUPATION

Self-employed 87 22 18.6 59.5 0

Employee 451 18.3 19.1 61 1.6

Manual worker 44 7.5 33.9 58.7 0

Not working 409 15.3 24.7 56.8 3.1

SELF-PERCEIVED

LEVEL OF EU

INFORMATION

Informed 178 21.5 28.8 47.7 2

Not informed 821 15.8 20.5 61.7 2

ATTITUDES TOWARDS

THE EU


Mixed 543 16.3 21.2 59.6 2.9



page 53

Table 23. Being part of the EU means that: UK consumers benefit from the free movement of goods resulting from the European Single Market QUESTION: Q10_A. Do you agree or disagree with the following statements? Being part of the EU means that ... -

UK consumers benefit from the free movement of goods resulting from the European Single Market

Total N

% Strongly disagree

% Disagree % Agree

% Strongly agree

% DK/NA

TOTAL 1000 6.8 15.1 51 17.5 9.6

SEX

Male 486 9.1 14.5 47.5 22.6 6.3

Female 514 4.6 15.6 54.3 12.7 12.7

AGE

15 – 24 118 2.3 10.1 58 17.4 12.3

25 – 39 243 5.7 14.3 55 18.1 7

40 – 54 265 6.3 14.1 49.9 21.8 7.9

55 + 329 9.7 17.6 46.7 13.7 12.3

EDUCATION (end of)


16 – 20 480 7.9 16.6 53.5 12.8 9.3

20 + 264 3.1 12.9 50.2 28 5.7


URBANISATION

Metropolitan 207 2.6 12.1 53.7 22.7 8.8

Urban 428 6.4 16.4 47.8 18.4 10.9

Rural 350 9.8 14.9 53.3 14.1 7.9

OCCUPATION

Self-employed 87 4.8 10.1 58.5 22 4.6

Employee 451 6.6 12.9 53.1 19.3 8.1

Manual worker 44 5.4 21 51.4 6.8 15.4

Not working 409 7.5 17.9 47 15.9 11.6

SELF-PERCEIVED


Informed 178 11.7 11.9 37.1 35 4.3

Not informed 821 5.8 15.7 54.1 13.8 10.6



Mixed 543 4.3 12.7 56.7 12.2 14.2



page 54

Table 24. Being part of the EU means that: There are improved working conditions in the UK QUESTION: Q10_B. Do you agree or disagree with the following statements? Being part of the EU means that ... -

There are improved working conditions in the UK

Total N

% Strongly disagree

% Disagree % Agree

% Strongly agree

% DK/NA

TOTAL 1000 13 26.4 41.1 14.3 5.2

SEX

Male 486 13.8 25 40.3 15.6 5.2

Female 514 12.3 27.8 41.8 13 5.1

AGE

15 – 24 118 6.3 24.7 62.5 6.5 0

25 – 39 243 8.9 25.6 42 19.9 3.6

40 – 54 265 12.7 23.8 41.5 17.4 4.6

55 + 329 17.8 29.8 33.5 10.4 8.4

EDUCATION (end of)


16 – 20 480 14.4 27.7 41.1 12.9 3.9

20 + 264 6.9 25.7 42.1 19.4 5.8


URBANISATION

Metropolitan 207 10.3 21.7 43.8 16.5 7.7

Urban 428 14.9 26 38.1 15.6 5.5

Rural 350 12.7 29.8 42.2 12 3.3

OCCUPATION

Self-employed 87 16.7 13.5 55.8 9.8 4.3

Employee 451 8.7 27.8 43.1 16.1 4.3

Manual worker 44 11.8 28.8 35.1 15.7 8.7

Not working 409 17.3 27.6 35.9 13.4 5.9

SELF-PERCEIVED


Informed 178 17.9 21.8 35 21.7 3.6

Not informed 821 11.9 27.5 42.4 12.7 5.4



Mixed 543 11.5 25.2 42.4 13.8 7.1

Consistently unfavourable 245 25.4 38.1 27.3 5.2 4


page 55

Table 25. Being part of the EU means that: There is a cleaner environment QUESTION: Q10_C. Do you agree or disagree with the following statements? Being part of the EU means that ... -

There is a cleaner environment

Total N

% Strongly disagree

% Disagree % Agree

% Strongly agree

% DK/NA

TOTAL 1000 7.8 25.7 48.2 13.5 4.8

SEX

Male 486 8.1 26.7 47.4 13.3 4.6

Female 514 7.6 24.8 48.9 13.7 4.9

AGE

15 – 24 118 8.3 25 55.9 6.5 4.4

25 – 39 243 5.5 22.9 50.6 17.1 3.9

40 – 54 265 5.8 27 46.9 15.2 5

55 + 329 11.5 26.2 43.8 12.4 6

EDUCATION (end of)


16 – 20 480 9.3 24.2 50 12.4 4.1

20 + 264 3.3 25.1 48.9 17 5.6


URBANISATION

Metropolitan 207 4.7 21.9 51.8 16.7 4.9

Urban 428 7.9 25.4 47.6 13.8 5.2

Rural 350 9.6 28.3 46.6 11.2 4.4

OCCUPATION

Self-employed 87 2.9 28.9 47.2 17 4

Employee 451 5 26.8 49.2 13.8 5.2

Manual worker 44 9.1 21.6 51.2 10.9 7.2

Not working 409 12 24.3 46.7 12.7 4.3


INFORMATION

Informed 178 12.7 25.4 42.8 15 4

Not informed 821 6.7 25.7 49.5 13.2 4.9

ATTITUDES

TOWARDS THE EU


Mixed 543 7.3 22.2 51.3 13.2 6



page 56

Table 26. Being part of the EU means that: The UK has more say in global trade negotiations QUESTION: Q10_D. Do you agree or disagree with the following statements? Being part of the EU means that ... -

The UK has more say in global trade negotiations

Total N

% Strongly disagree

% Disagree % Agree

% Strongly agree

% DK/NA

TOTAL 1000 9.5 23.6 44.4 13.3 9.2

SEX

Male 486 12.1 25 41.7 15.2 6

Female 514 7.1 22.3 47 11.5 12.1

AGE

15 – 24 118 4.3 12.3 66.4 8.9 8

25 – 39 243 4.2 20.9 47 17.9 9.9

40 – 54 265 11.6 24.4 42.4 13.3 8.4

55 + 329 13.7 28.6 36.7 10.7 10.3

EDUCATION (end of)


16 – 20 480 10.5 26.4 45.3 9.1 8.7

20 + 264 7.3 19.5 44.1 20.7 8.4


URBANISATION

Metropolitan 207 4.2 22.5 47 16.9 9.4

Urban 428 11.5 22 44.1 12.4 10

Rural 350 10.3 26.8 42.7 12.6 7.6

OCCUPATION

Self-employed 87 11.8 19.8 51.8 10.2 6.4

Employee 451 6.2 23.4 48.3 13.3 8.8

Manual worker 44 11.8 27.6 31.8 10.8 18

Not working 409 12.5 24.5 39.7 14.5 8.8

SELF-PERCEIVED


Informed 178 17.6 21.2 34.3 23.5 3.3

Not informed 821 7.8 24.1 46.7 11.1 10.3



Mixed 543 7 22.2 45.2 11.7 13.8



page 57

Table 27. Being part of the EU means that: Criminals can no longer escape prosecution by moving to another EU member state QUESTION: Q10_E. Do you agree or disagree with the following statements? Being part of the EU means that ... -

Criminals can no longer escape prosecution by moving to another EU member state

Total N

% Strongly disagree

% Disagree % Agree

% Strongly agree

% DK/NA

TOTAL 1000 8.6 17.5 40.8 28.9 4.3

SEX

Male 486 8.7 20.3 38.4 29 3.5

Female 514 8.5 14.7 43 28.8 5

AGE

15 – 24 118 2.3 23.6 54.7 17.4 2

25 – 39 243 5.7 17.1 37 37.3 3

40 – 54 265 7.4 15 44.4 29.7 3.5

55 + 329 13.1 16.8 35.9 27.3 6.8

EDUCATION (end of)


16 – 20 480 9.8 18.7 37.5 30 4

20 + 264 4.5 14.3 49.2 27.5 4.6

Still in education 69 0 20.3 58.9 19.7 1

URBANISATION

Metropolitan 207 5.4 15.7 44.9 28.6 5.4

Urban 428 9.4 16.8 42.4 27.5 3.9

Rural 350 9.9 18.5 36.3 31.4 3.9

OCCUPATION

Self-employed 87 5.9 9.1 46.6 35 3.4

Employee 451 6.6 18.7 42.4 29.7 2.6

Manual worker 44 18.4 14.8 30 32.2 4.7

Not working 409 10.5 17.6 38.8 26.7 6.4

SELF-PERCEIVED


Informed 178 10.3 13.5 42 30 4.2

Not informed 821 8.3 18.3 40.5 28.7 4.3



Mixed 543 6.8 15.5 42.6 30.7 4.5

Consistently unfavourable 245 16 25.5 34.1 18.7 5.6


page 58

Table 28. Being part of the EU means that: We can regulate financial markets more effectively QUESTION: Q10_F. Do you agree or disagree with the following statements? Being part of the EU means that ... - We

can regulate financial markets more effectively

Total N

% Strongly disagree

% Disagree % Agree

% Strongly agree

% DK/NA

TOTAL 1000 11.1 26 43.4 11.4 8.1

SEX

Male 486 15 27.8 37.7 13 6.5

Female 514 7.4 24.2 48.8 9.9 9.7

AGE

15 – 24 118 4.3 14.5 62.3 10.6 8.3

25 – 39 243 6.8 21 50.7 14.4 7.1

40 – 54 265 12.6 28.6 41.3 11.1 6.4

55 + 329 14.4 29.1 35.4 10.2 10.9

EDUCATION (end of)


16 – 20 480 12.5 26.1 43.7 9.6 8

20 + 264 9.6 24.6 46.4 14.9 4.5


URBANISATION

Metropolitan 207 7.4 27.1 43.3 12.3 10

Urban 428 12.2 23.9 43.4 11.3 9.2

Rural 350 11.8 28.6 43.1 11.5 5.1

OCCUPATION

Self-employed 87 8.8 30.7 46.6 13 0.8

Employee 451 9 24.3 47.4 11.9 7.4

Manual worker 44 11.8 31.1 40.2 4.9 12

Not working 409 13.6 26.6 38.5 11.5 9.8

SELF-PERCEIVED


Informed 178 19.4 25.8 33.7 16.7 4.4

Not informed 821 9.3 26 45.6 10.3 8.8



Mixed 543 7.6 23.1 48.4 10 10.9



page 59

Table 29. If the UK was not in the EU ... QUESTION: Q11. If we were not in the EU and were unable to secure a free-trade agreement with it, which of the

following best describes your opinion?

Total N

% I wouldn't care if we lost any of

these benefits

% I would care a bit if we lost one or more of these benefits

% I would care greatly if we lost one or

more of these benefits % DK/NA

TOTAL 1000 16.6 45.8 34.7 2.9

SEX

Male 486 21 42.8 34.2 1.9

Female 514 12.3 48.6 35.2 3.9

AGE

15 – 24 118 3.9 66.7 29.4 0

25 – 39 243 11.9 46.8 37.5 3.8

40 – 54 265 16.6 45 37.8 0.6

55 + 329 23.5 39.5 31.3 5.7

EDUCATION (end of)

Until 15 years of age 175 27 40.4 25.5 7.1

16 – 20 480 15.5 50 32.2 2.3

20 + 264 12.9 40.9 44.4 1.8

Still in education 69 9.6 48.7 41.7 0

URBANISATION

Metropolitan 207 13.2 43.1 41.6 2.1

Urban 428 14.9 46.9 34.8 3.4

Rural 350 20.9 46.1 30.4 2.6

OCCUPATION

Self-employed 87 9.8 48.8 39.1 2.3

Employee 451 13.3 51 34.5 1.2

Manual worker 44 14.5 45.9 30.8 8.8

Not working 409 21.8 39.4 34.6 4.2

SELF-PERCEIVED

LEVEL OF EU

INFORMATION

Informed 178 23.7 31.2 43.1 2

Not informed 821 15 49 33 3.1

ATTITUDES

TOWARDS THE EU

Consistently favourable 212 3.6 31.5 63.8 1

Mixed 543 12 50.5 33.1 4.5

Consistently unfavourable 245 38 47.7 13.1 1.2


page 60

Table 30. EU has a role in tackling various issues QUESTION: Q12_A-H. Which of the following issues do you feel the EU has a role in?

% of “The EU has a role” shown

To

tal

N

Eco

no

mic

g

ov

ern

an

ce

Reg

ula

tin

g

fin

an

cia

l m

ark

ets

Pro

tect

ing

hu

ma

n

rig

hts

Glo

ba

l p

ov

erty

Th

e se

curi

ty o

f en

erg

y s

up

pli

es

Ta

ckli

ng

cli

ma

te

cha

ng

e

Glo

ba

l te

rro

rism

Ta

ckli

ng

cro

ss-

bo

rder

cri

me

TOTAL 1000 68.7 70 84.7 71.1 62.1 76.2 76.3 79.8

SEX

Male 486 69 66 82 69.3 62.1 77.2 73.8 77.7

Female 514 68.4 73.7 87.3 72.8 62.1 75.3 78.6 81.7

AGE

15 – 24 118 79 70.8 89.6 68.1 59.8 81.6 81.9 79

25 – 39 243 76.2 80.2 90.7 77.8 69.4 83.7 78.4 87

40 – 54 265 66.4 69.8 83.1 69.7 62.1 76.3 76.8 80.1

55 + 329 61 62.7 80.4 68.6 58.3 69 71 75.9

EDUCATION (end of)

Until 15 years of age 175 54.7 56.2 78.2 65 55.4 66.8 67.7 70.3

16 – 20 480 65.5 68.8 83.3 69.2 59.4 74.4 77.9 78.3

20 + 264 81.3 80.6 91.4 77.2 71.8 84.8 78.6 89.8

Still in education 69 82.7 73.5 89.3 76.9 59.8 82.6 77.4 77.1

URBANISATION

Metropolitan 207 71.5 77.7 88.9 74 64.7 79.4 74.7 85.6

Urban 428 66.1 67.9 86 71.3 64.6 76.7 77.5 81.4

Rural 350 70.7 68.2 80.9 68.9 57 74 75.6 74.4

OCCUPATION

Self-employed 87 68.2 68.5 89 64.9 55 81.9 76.6 80.5

Employee 451 73.1 74.6 86.3 73.7 65.7 81 80 83.6

Manual worker 44 59.4 67.4 79.4 70.6 63.4 64.5 76.5 66.8

Not working 409 65.4 65.7 82.8 69.7 59.5 71.4 72.4 77.1

SELF-PERCEIVED

LEVEL OF EU

INFORMATION

Informed 178 70.2 67.9 78.4 70.6 63.4 77.9 71.7 79.4

Not informed 821 68.4 70.4 86.1 71.2 62 75.9 77.4 80

ATTITUDES TOWARDS

THE EU

Consistently favourable 212 81.3 78.9 95.1 81.5 73.4 87.8 84 88.2

Mixed 543 69.8 71.9 85 72.5 64.9 78.5 78.9 80.6

Consistently unfavourable 245 55.3 57.8 75.1 59 46.1 61.2 63.8 70.7


page 61

Table 31. Perception of the British television QUESTION: Q13_A. Do you think that British ...[READ A-C] presents the European Union too positively, too

negatively or objectively? - Television

Total N

% Too positively

% Too negatively

% Objectively % DK/NA

TOTAL 1000 16.5 26.8 43.8 12.9

SEX

Male 486 19 28.2 43.7 9.1

Female 514 14.1 25.6 43.9 16.4

AGE

15 – 24 118 24.9 14.4 51.7 8.9

25 – 39 243 14.2 25.2 49.8 10.8

40 – 54 265 11.9 31.3 45.5 11.3

55 + 329 18.9 28.3 36.7 16.1

EDUCATION (end of)


16 – 20 480 14.8 25.7 46.9 12.7

20 + 264 12 31.9 45.2 10.9

Still in education 69 29.8 17.7 43.8 8.8

URBANISATION

Metropolitan 207 13.9 31.2 39.5 15.5

Urban 428 16.3 27.2 44.3 12.2

Rural 350 18.1 24.8 46 11.2

OCCUPATION

Self-employed 87 14 39.1 40.6 6.2

Employee 451 13.7 26.6 48.7 11

Manual worker 44 18 31.3 37.1 13.6

Not working 409 19.6 24.4 40 16


INFORMATION

Informed 178 25.9 32.1 34.4 7.6

Not informed 821 14.4 25.8 45.9 13.9

ATTITUDES

TOWARDS THE EU


Mixed 543 14.2 24 45.9 15.9



page 62

Table 32. Perception of the British radio QUESTION: Q13_B. Do you think that British ...[READ A-C] presents the European Union too positively, too

negatively or objectively? - Radio

Total N

% Too positively

% Too negatively


TOTAL 1000 14.1 17.7 41.1 27.1

SEX

Male 486 15.6 19.4 41.2 23.9

Female 514 12.8 16.1 40.9 30.2

AGE

15 – 24 118 21.3 10 51.8 16.9

25 – 39 243 10.8 17.8 52.1 19.3

40 – 54 265 11.8 21.4 38.5 28.3

55 + 329 16.5 18.1 33.2 32.2

EDUCATION (end of)


16 – 20 480 14.1 15.5 42.3 28.2

20 + 264 10.9 19.4 47.3 22.5

Still in education 69 22.3 13.9 44.8 19

URBANISATION

Metropolitan 207 16.9 18.6 33.7 30.9

Urban 428 11.4 16.8 47.6 24.2

Rural 350 15.2 18.6 37.8 28.3

OCCUPATION

Self-employed 87 13.4 23.1 49.8 13.7

Employee 451 10.5 18.3 46.5 24.7

Manual worker 44 17.3 19.2 38.3 25.2

Not working 409 17.2 16.1 33.6 33

SELF-PERCEIVED

LEVEL OF EU

INFORMATION

Informed 178 20.8 19.6 36 23.7

Not informed 821 12.6 17.3 42.3 27.8

ATTITUDES

TOWARDS THE EU


Mixed 543 11.8 14.6 44.4 29.2



page 63

Table 33. Perception of the British press QUESTION: Q13_C. Do you think that British ...[READ A-C] presents the European Union too positively, too

negatively or objectively? - Press

Total N

% Too positively

% Too negatively


TOTAL 1000 13.4 48.4 26.2 11.9

SEX

Male 486 14.2 52.9 24.5 8.4

Female 514 12.6 44.2 27.9 15.3

AGE

15 – 24 118 16.7 50.2 27 6.1

25 – 39 243 10.9 54.3 26.5 8.3

40 – 54 265 9.9 55.2 24.8 10.1

55 + 329 16.3 38.3 28.6 16.7

EDUCATION (end of)


16 – 20 480 12.6 44.3 30.9 12.2

20 + 264 7.1 62.8 19.1 10.9

Still in education 69 21.4 50.1 25.1 3.4

URBANISATION

Metropolitan 207 13.8 54.5 18.9 12.7

Urban 428 11.1 51.2 28.5 9.1

Rural 350 15.7 42.8 27.6 14

OCCUPATION

Self-employed 87 9.3 58.6 26 6.2

Employee 451 10.4 53 27.6 9.1

Manual worker 44 13.5 48.4 29.7 8.3

Not working 409 17.2 42.1 24.2 16.4


INFORMATION

Informed 178 18.5 54 17.7 9.7

Not informed 821 12.3 47.3 28 12.3

ATTITUDES

TOWARDS THE EU


Mixed 543 12.6 45.4 28.5 13.5

Consistently unfavourable 245 15.5 40.6 31 12.9


page 64

Table 34. Knowledge of the EU, its policies and institutions QUESTION: Q14. How much do you feel you know about the European Union, its policies, its institutions? Would

you say you know ...?

Total N

% A great deal

% Quite a lot % A little

% Nothing at all

% DK/NA

TOTAL 1000 1.7 16.1 68.3 13.7 0.2

SEX

Male 486 2.3 22.4 65.4 9.6 0.3

Female 514 1 10.1 71.1 17.7 0.1

AGE

15 – 24 118 0 6.3 73.5 20.3 0

25 – 39 243 2.6 15.2 63.1 19 0

40 – 54 265 1.4 17 71.8 9.8 0

55 + 329 1.8 17.9 67.8 11.9 0.6

EDUCATION (end of)

Until 15 years of age 175 0.8 11.8 63 23.7 0.7

16 – 20 480 0.5 14.3 71.7 13.3 0.1

20 + 264 3.3 24 65.8 6.9 0


URBANISATION

Metropolitan 207 2.9 16.6 68.2 11.8 0.6

Urban 428 1.3 15.2 70.6 12.7 0.2

Rural 350 0.9 17.3 66.2 15.5 0

OCCUPATION

Self-employed 87 3 18.9 72.1 6 0

Employee 451 1.6 15.6 68 14.8 0

Manual worker 44 0 8.3 70.5 21.2 0

Not working 409 1.2 17 67.9 13.4 0.5

SELF-PERCEIVED

LEVEL OF EU

INFORMATION

Informed 178 9.3 90.7 0 0 0

Not informed 821 0 0 83.2 16.8 0

ATTITUDES

TOWARDS THE EU


Mixed 543 0.5 10.4 69.7 19.1 0.2

Consistently unfavourable 245 2 20.9 71.4 5.4 0.3


page 65

Table 35. Information available on the EU is simple and clear QUESTION: Q15. Would you agree that the current information available on the European Union is simple and clear

enough?

Total N

% Strongly disagree

% Disagree % Agree

% Strongly agree

% DK/NA

TOTAL 1000 20.3 34.9 29.5 5 10.4

SEX

Male 486 22.1 33.1 27.5 7.3 10

Female 514 18.6 36.5 31.3 2.9 10.7

AGE

15 – 24 118 2 25.4 46.9 10.8 14.9

25 – 39 243 14 35.7 34 4.9 11.5

40 – 54 265 26 37 23.9 4.2 8.8

55 + 329 26.2 35.7 25 3.2 9.9

EDUCATION (end of)


16 – 20 480 21 33.8 30.4 4.3 10.4

20 + 264 18.4 37.6 27.8 4.1 12.1

Still in education 69 4.8 23.2 45 18.4 8.5

URBANISATION

Metropolitan 207 19.1 31.2 32.9 5.9 10.9

Urban 428 20.9 35.8 28.5 4.6 10.2

Rural 350 20.3 36.2 28.4 5 10

OCCUPATION

Self-employed 87 19.9 41.5 22.2 3.3 13.3

Employee 451 18.6 35.7 30.3 4.8 10.7

Manual worker 44 27 32.6 19.6 14.4 6.5

Not working 409 21.8 33 31 4.5 9.7


INFORMATION

Informed 178 22 35.5 29.7 7.6 5.1

Not informed 821 19.9 34.7 29.5 4.5 11.5

ATTITUDES

TOWARDS THE EU

Consistently favourable 212 5.7 41.5 31.3 9 12.5

Mixed 543 19.3 32.1 32.5 5 11.1

Consistently unfavourable 245 35 35.4 21 1.7 6.9


page 66

Table 36. Interest in receiving more information about the EU QUESTION: Q16. How interested are you in receiving more information about the EU?

Total N

% Not at all

interested % Quite

uninterested % Quite

interested % Very

interested %

DK/NA

TOTAL 1000 37.5 21.7 32.7 7.7 0.4

SEX

Male 486 38.2 20.6 32.7 8.1 0.5

Female 514 36.8 22.7 32.7 7.4 0.4

AGE

15 – 24 118 52.5 16 25.3 6.2 0

25 – 39 243 33.2 25.9 34 6.9 0

40 – 54 265 33.9 21.8 35.9 8.2 0.2

55 + 329 38.2 21.8 31.6 8 0.5

EDUCATION (end of)


16 – 20 480 41.3 20.4 32.5 5.7 0

20 + 264 20 27.7 38.6 13.1 0.6


URBANISATION

Metropolitan 207 34 18.3 34.6 12.3 0.8

Urban 428 36.4 22.7 32.9 7.9 0.1

Rural 350 40.2 23.2 31.3 4.9 0.4

OCCUPATION

Self-employed 87 30 20.5 33.7 15.7 0

Employee 451 34.8 25.1 34.1 5.7 0.3

Manual worker 44 34.2 16.3 39.9 9.6 0

Not working 409 41.6 19.2 30.7 8 0.5

SELF-PERCEIVED

LEVEL OF EU

INFORMATION

Informed 178 30.5 18 37 13.7 0.8

Not informed 821 39 22.5 31.7 6.4 0.3

ATTITUDES

TOWARDS THE EU

Consistently favourable 212 21 15.5 49.5 13.3 0.7

Mixed 543 39.5 22.8 30.8 6.6 0.3



page 67

Table 37. If more simple and clear information on the EU were available QUESTION: Q17. If more simple and clear information on the European Union were available, how likely would you

be to read /listen to /watch it?

Total N

% Not likely at all

% Not likely % Likely

% Very likely

% DK/NA

TOTAL 729 9.1 9.5 54.1 26.9 0.3

SEX

Male 362 9.8 11.9 50.3 27.9 0.2

Female 367 8.4 7.2 58 26 0.4

AGE

15 – 24 60 4 12.7 61.6 21.6 0

25 – 39 171 4.4 8.2 62.2 24.6 0.5

40 – 54 209 7.4 8.3 53.3 31 0

55 + 252 14.7 12 48.1 24.6 0.6

EDUCATION (end of)

Until 15 years of age 137 20 14.2 45.2 20.6 0

16 – 20 347 8.8 10.3 55.3 25.1 0.4

20 + 200 2.6 6.6 55.6 34.8 0.4


URBANISATION

Metropolitan 143 6.4 8.6 51.5 33.5 0

Urban 320 7.1 10.1 55.9 26.4 0.5

Rural 258 12.9 9.2 53.9 23.7 0.3

OCCUPATION

Self-employed 71 3 5.6 54.3 37.1 0

Employee 321 7.8 7.7 57.2 26.9 0.3

Manual worker 37 3.8 17.6 55.1 21.5 2

Not working 296 12.5 11.1 51.1 25.1 0.2


INFORMATION

Informed 140 9.2 4.8 46.8 38.7 0.5

Not informed 587 9 10.5 56.1 24.1 0.3

ATTITUDES

TOWARDS THE EU


Mixed 370 7.4 8.6 58.9 25.1 0

Consistently unfavourable 187 18.7 14.2 47 19.2 0.9


page 68

Table 38. Responsibility for keeping citizens informed about the EU and its decisions QUESTION: Q18. Who do you think should be responsible for keeping you informed about the EU and its decisions?

Please choose ONE from the list that I am going to read to you.

To

tal

N

% T

he

EU

in

stit

uti

on

s

% T

he

Bri

tish

g

ov

ern

men

t

% T

he

loca

l g

ov

ern

men

t

% P

oli

tica

l p

art

ies

% N

ewsp

ap

ers/

te

lev

isio

n

% E

U i

nfo

rma

tio

n

cen

tres

in

th

e U

K

% D

K/N

A

TOTAL 1000 6.2 48.2 12.1 3.5 17 10.9 2

SEX

Male 486 6 52.6 9.8 3.4 16.2 10.2 1.7

Female 514 6.5 44.1 14.3 3.6 17.7 11.5 2.3

AGE

15 – 24 118 4 38 16.4 2.3 27.1 10 2.2

25 – 39 243 4.3 47.6 15.8 5.4 17.8 7.6 1.7

40 – 54 265 10.8 48.8 10.5 2.4 14.3 11.6 1.6

55 + 329 4.8 52.8 10.4 3.6 14.2 11.8 2.4

EDUCATION (end of)

Until 15 years of age 175 4.8 52.1 15.3 2.6 12.7 9.7 2.8

16 – 20 480 5.3 50.5 13.9 3.8 16.2 8.2 2.1

20 + 264 9.4 47 7.1 3.6 16.5 15.6 0.8

Still in education 69 3.9 34.9 10.7 3.4 32.8 10.5 3.7

URBANISATION

Metropolitan 207 6.6 49.8 10.5 2.2 15.8 12.7 2.4

Urban 428 7.4 48.7 12.9 4.8 15.3 10.2 0.6

Rural 350 4.6 48.2 12.3 2.8 19.1 9.9 3.1

OCCUPATION

Self-employed 87 13.7 48.4 11.3 0 13.2 13.4 0

Employee 451 7.7 50.7 10.9 3.6 15.4 9.9 1.9

Manual worker 44 5.8 42.1 27.6 1.5 17.7 5.3 0

Not working 409 3 47.2 12 4.3 19.3 11.5 2.7

SELF-PERCEIVED

LEVEL OF EU

INFORMATION

Informed 178 5.5 55.5 4.4 3.1 15.2 13.7 2.6

Not informed 821 6.3 46.8 13.8 3.6 17.4 10.2 1.8

ATTITUDES TOWARDS

THE EU

Consistently favourable 212 4.6 49.9 7.5 4.1 14.1 19.1 0.7

Mixed 543 6.5 42.9 16.3 3.6 19.2 9.8 1.7

Consistently unfavourable 245 7.1 58.6 6.9 2.9 14.7 6 3.8


page 69

Table 39. Political party that most closely represents respondents’ views on the EU QUESTION: Q19. Which of the main parties most closely represents your views on the European Union?

To

tal

N

% C

on

serv

ati

ve

% L

ab

ou

r

% L

iber

al

Dem

ocr

at

% U

nit

ed K

ing

do

m

Ind

epen

den

ce P

art

y

% B

riti

sh N

ati

on

al

Pa

rty

% S

cott

ish

Na

tio

na

l P

art

y

% P

laid

Cy

mru

% O

ther

% D

K/N

A

TOTAL 1000 24.1 22.5 12.9 7.8 2.2 1.7 0.7 4.5 23.6

SEX

Male 486 27.8 23.5 11.3 10 3.1 1.5 1.1 5 16.7

Female 514 20.5 21.6 14.5 5.7 1.2 1.9 0.3 4.2 30.2

AGE

15 – 24 118 8.6 34.9 16.3 4.3 6.7 0 0 4.4 24.9

25 – 39 243 30 17.1 14.9 5.6 1.5 0 1.1 5 24.8

40 – 54 265 20.1 29.4 13 5.5 1.9 1.7 1.1 5.3 22

55 + 329 28.8 18.5 9.7 12.7 1.5 3.7 0.2 2.9 21.8

EDUCATION (end of)

Until 15 years of age 175 26.2 21.4 7.9 10.5 1.3 4.5 0.3 3.3 24.6

16 – 20 480 28.8 18.4 9.9 8.5 3.4 1.6 0.1 4.1 25.1

20 + 264 20.1 27.8 19 6.1 1.1 0.5 1.8 6 17.6

Still in education 69 3.3 34.2 25.9 3.4 0 0 0 4.9 28.2

URBANISATION

Metropolitan 207 18.5 33.2 14.7 4.3 3.5 0.8 0 3.7 21.3

Urban 428 22.3 22 15.7 8 2.6 1.8 0.6 5 22

Rural 350 30.1 17.3 9.1 9.9 1 2.1 1 4.4 25.2

OCCUPATION

Self-employed 87 32.9 13 17.3 8 0 0.8 0 10.1 17.9

Employee 451 22.3 25.9 13.2 5.6 1.2 1.2 0.3 4 26.2

Manual worker 44 25.9 26.3 9 12.6 7.2 0 0 7.4 11.6

Not working 409 24.3 20.6 12.4 9.8 3.1 2.6 1.2 3.5 22.5

SELF-PERCEIVED

LEVEL OF EU

INFORMATION

Informed 178 29.3 20.9 17.6 13.3 1.2 1.9 0 5.3 10.4

Not informed 821 23 22.9 11.9 6.6 2.4 1.6 0.8 4.4 26.3

ATTITUDES TOWARDS

THE EU

Consistently favourable 212 15.6 37.2 24 0 1.6 1 0.4 3.9 16.3

Mixed 543 22.5 23.3 11.6 4 2.5 2.1 0.8 4 29.2

Consistently unfavourable 245 34.9 8.2 6.4 23 1.8 1.3 0.5 6.2 17.7


page 70

Table 40. Importance of European issues at the last general election in May 2010 QUESTION: Q20. How important were European issues at the last general election in May 2010?

Total N

% Irrelevant % Not very % Quite % Very

% DK/NA

TOTAL 1000 23.4 31.5 31.5 9 4.7

SEX

Male 486 26.9 33 27.6 8.4 4.1

Female 514 20 30 35.1 9.7 5.2

AGE

15 – 24 118 16.9 27.6 40.8 5.8 8.8

25 – 39 243 20.6 32.7 36 8 2.8

40 – 54 265 26.6 33.4 29.2 8.5 2.3

55 + 329 25 30.4 27.8 11.3 5.5

EDUCATION (end of)

Until 15 years of age 175 32.4 23.6 24 13.7 6.2

16 – 20 480 23.2 30.9 33.4 7.9 4.6

20 + 264 20.8 40.9 28.3 7.9 2.1

Still in education 69 13.4 16.7 52.3 10 7.6

URBANISATION

Metropolitan 207 20 34.7 25.2 12.2 7.9

Urban 428 22.3 30.8 36.4 7.3 3.1

Rural 350 27.6 30.3 29.7 9.3 3.1

OCCUPATION

Self-employed 87 25 39.4 27.6 6.7 1.3

Employee 451 22.9 34 30.6 8 4.4

Manual worker 44 25.2 31.2 29.5 6.2 7.8

Not working 409 23.8 26.7 33.8 11 4.7

SELF-PERCEIVED


Informed 178 17.8 26.6 33.8 17.3 4.5

Not informed 821 24.5 32.5 30.9 7.3 4.7



Mixed 543 22.6 30.7 31.8 8.4 6.6

Consistently unfavourable 245 30.9 32.9 24 9 3.2


page 71

II. Survey details

This Flash Eurobarometer 318 “Attitudes towards the EU in the United Kingdom” was conducted on

behalf of the European Commission Representation in the United Kingdom by Gallup Hungary.

Telephone interviews were conducted between the 22nd

and the 26th of November 2010, by Gallup UK.

Representativeness of the results

The sample is representative of the population aged 15 years and above.

Sizes of the sample

The sample size was 1000 respondents in the UK.

A weighting factor was applied to the national results in order to compute a marginal total for the

country in proportion to its population.

Questionnaires

The questionnaire prepared for this survey is reproduced at the end of this section (see hereafter).

Table of results

VOLUME C: RESPONDENTS’ DEMOGRAPHICS

The VOLUME C presents the country results broken down by the following socio-demographic

variables:

Sex (male, female)

Age (15-24, 25-39, 40-54, 55 +)

Education (15&-, 16-20, 21&+, still in full time education)

Subjective urbanisation (metropolitan zone; other town/urban centre; rural zone)

Occupation (self-employed, employee, manual worker, without a professional activity)

Self-perceived level of EU information (informed, not informed)

Attitudes towards the EU (consistently favourable, mixed, consistently unfavourable)

Sampling error

Surveys are designed and conducted to provide an estimate of a true value of characteristics of a

population at a given time. An estimate of a survey is unlikely to exactly equal the true population

quantity of interest for a variety of reasons. One of these reasons is that data in a survey are collected

from only some – a sample of – members of the population, this to make data collection cheaper and

faster. The “margin of error” is a common summary of sampling error, which quantifies uncertainty

about (or confidence in) a survey result.

Usually, one calculates a 95 percent confidence interval of the format: survey estimate +/- margin of

error. This interval of values will contain the true population value at least 95% of time.


page 72

For example, if it was estimated that 45% of EU citizens are in favour of a single European currency

and this estimate is based on a sample of 100 EU citizens, the associated margin of error is about 10

percentage points. The 95 percent confidence interval for support for a European single currency

would be (45%-10%) to (45%+10%), suggesting that in the EU the support for a European single

currency could range from 35% to 55%. Because of the small sample size of 100 EU citizens, there is

considerable uncertainty about whether or not the citizens of the EU support a single currency.

As a general rule, the more interviews conducted (sample size), the smaller the margin of error. Larger

samples are more likely to give results closer to the true population quantity and thus have smaller

margins of error. For example, a sample of 500 will produce a margin of error of no more than about

4.5 percentage points, and a sample of 1,000 will produce a margin of error of no more than about 3

percentage points.

Margin of error (95% confidence interval)

Survey

estimate

Sample size (n)

10 50 100 150 200 400 800 1000 2000 4000

5% 13.5% 6.0% 4.3% 3.5% 3.0% 2.1% 1.5% 1.4% 1.0% 0.7%

10% 18.6% 8.3% 5.9% 4.8% 4.2% 2.9% 2.1% 1.9% 1.3% 0.9%

25% 26.8% 12.0% 8.5% 6.9% 6.0% 4.2% 3.0% 2.7% 1.9% 1.3%

50% 31.0% 13.9% 9.8% 8.0% 6.9% 4.9% 3.5% 3.1% 2.2% 1.5%

75% 26.8% 12.0% 8.5% 6.9% 6.0% 4.2% 3.0% 2.7% 1.9% 1.3%

90% 18.6% 8.3% 5.9% 4.8% 4.2% 2.9% 2.1% 1.9% 1.3% 0.9%

95% 13.5% 6.0% 4.3% 3.5% 3.0% 2.1% 1.5% 1.4% 1.0% 0.7%

(The values in the table are the margin of error – at 95% confidence level – for a given

survey estimate and sample size)

The examples show that the size of a sample is a crucial factor affecting the margin of error.

Nevertheless, once past a certain point – a sample size of 800 or 1,000 – the improvement is small. For

example, to reduce the margin of error to 1.5% would require a sample size of 4,000.


page 73

III. Questionnaire

Q1. In general, do you have a more positive or negative image of the European Union?

- Very positive....................................................................................... 4

- Quite positive ...................................................................................... 3

- Quite negative .................................................................................... 2

- Very negative ...................................................................................... 1

- [Neither positive, nor negative] .......................................................... 8

- [DK/NA] ............................................................................................. 9

Q2. Have you heard of any of the following?

- Yes ........................................................................................... 1

- No ............................................................................................ 2

- [DK/NA] ................................................................................. 9

[READ OUT, ROTATE, ONE ANSWER PER LINE ONLY]

a) The European Health Insurance Card ............................................................. 1 2 9

b) The Bathing Water Report ............................................................................. 1 2 9

c) The Blue Flag Guide ...................................................................................... 1 2 9

d) The European Arrest Warrant ......................................................................... 1 2 9

e) The Air Passenger Rights Regulation ............................................................. 1 2 9

f) The pet passport ............................................................................................... 1 2 9

g) The hedge fund proposal ................................................................................. 1 2 9

h) Guidelines for pay in financial institutions ..................................................... 1 2 9

i) The citizens’ initiative for launching EU-level legislation .............................. 1 2 9

Q3. How important are the benefits of these initiatives for you: very important, important, not

important or not important at all?

[READ OUT– ROTATE - ONE ANSWER PER LINE ONLY]

- Very important ........................................................................ 4

- Important ................................................................................. 3

- Not important .......................................................................... 2

- Not important at all ................................................................. 1

- [DK/NA] .................................................................................. 9

a) The European Health Insurance Card, that allows citizens to receive

medical treatment in any other EU country ................................................ 1 2 3 4 9

b) The Bathing Water Report and Blue Flag Guide, which inform people

about the safety and cleanliness standards of Europe’s beaches ................ 1 2 3 4 9

c) The Blue Flag Guide, which indicates how clean our beaches and seas

are ................................................................................................................ 1 2 3 4 9

d) The European Arrest Warrant ...................................................................... 1 2 3 4 9

e) The Air Passenger Rights Regulation that details what an airline owes

you in case of cancellation, denied boarding or severe delay ..................... 1 2 3 4 9

f) The pet passport, which allows pets to travel more easily between

member countries without undergoing quarantine ..................................... 1 2 3 4 9

g) The hedge fund proposal providing harmonized standards and greater

transparency on alternative investment fund management ......................... 1 2 3 4 9

h) Guidelines for pay in financial institutions .................................................. 1 2 3 4 9


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i) The citizens’ initiative which enables a million signatories from a

number of EU countries to oblige the EU to make a legislative

proposal in areas it is responsible for .......................................................... 1 2 3 4 9

Q4. Does the fact that these initiatives have been initiated and developed by the European Union

make you feel...

- More positive about the European Union or ................................................. 3

- Less positive about the European Union? .................................................... 2

- [The same way about the European Union] ................................................. 1

- [DK/NA] ....................................................................................................... 9

Q5. I will now list a series of statements. For each one, please tell me if you think they are true or

false?

- True ....................................................................................... 1

- False. ..................................................................................... 2

- [DK/NA] ................................................................................ 9

[READ OUT– ROTATE - ONE ANSWER PER LINE]

a) All EU citizens have the right to travel to, or study in, another EU country .....1 2 9

b) Mobile phone charges (roaming charges, prices, etc.) have decreased for

anyone travelling within the EU .......................................................................1 2 9

c) The EU has very strict food-safety standards .................................................... 1 2 9

d) The EU has a standing army. .............................................................................1 2 9

e) There is an EU tax. .............................................................................................1 2 9

f) The EU budget is larger than the UK’s. .............................................................1 2 9

Q6. What percentage of the UK’s gross national income do you think goes towards the EU

budget? ………….

- [DK/NA] ............................................................................................. 9

Q7. In your opinion, do the economic costs of being in the EU exceed the benefits or do the

benefits exceed the cost?

- The economic costs exceed the benefits ............................................. 1

- The benefits exceed the economic costs ............................................. 2

- They are in balance ............................................................................ 3

- [DK/NA] ............................................................................................. 9

Q8. According to you, how much say has the UK government in the way that EU laws are made

...?

- A lot .................................................................................................... 4

- A fair amount ...................................................................................... 3

- Little or ............................................................................................... 2

- Very little ........................................................................................... 1

- [DK/NA] ............................................................................................. 9


page 75

Q9. If you knew the UK government always had a say in the way EU laws were made, that

would make you feel:

- More positive about UK membership of the EU ................................ 3

- Less positive about UK membership of the EU ................................. 2

- [Would not change, feel the same way] .............................................. 1

- [DK/NA] ............................................................................................. 9

Q10. Do you agree or disagree with the following statements? Being part of the EU means that ...

- Strongly agree .......................................................................... 4

- Agree ....................................................................................... 3

- Disagree ................................................................................... 2

- Strongly disagree ................................................................... 1

- [DK/NA] .................................................................................. 9

[READ OUT – ROTATE – ONE ANSWER PER LINE ONLY]

a) UK consumers benefit from the free movement of goods resulting from

the European Single Market ..................................................................... 1 2 3 4 9

b) There are improved working conditions in the UK .................................. 1 2 3 4 9

c) There is a cleaner environment ................................................................. 1 2 3 4 9

d) The UK has more say in global trade negotiations .................................. 1 2 3 4 9

e) Criminals can no longer escape prosecution by moving to another EU

member state ............................................................................................ 1 2 3 4 9

f) We can regulate financial markets more effectively ................................. 1 2 3 4 9

Q11. If we were not in the EU and were unable to secure a free-trade agreement with it, which of

the following best describes your opinion?

- I wouldn’t care if we lost any of these benefits .................................. 1

- I would care a bit if we lost one or more of these benefits ................. 2

- I would care greatly if we lost one or more of these benefits ............. 3

- [DK/NA] ............................................................................................. 9

Q12. Which of the following issues do you feel the EU has a role in?

- The EU has a role ................................................................... 1

- The EU does not have a role ................................................... 2

- [DK/NA] ................................................................................. 9

a) Economic governance ..................................................................................... 1 2 9

b) Regulating financial markets .......................................................................... 1 2 9

c) Protecting human rights .................................................................................. 1 2 9

d) Global poverty. ............................................................................................... 1 2 9

e) The security of energy supplies ....................................................................... 1 2 9

f) Tackling climate change .................................................................................. 1 2 9

g) Global terrorism .............................................................................................. 1 2 9

h) Tackling cross-border crime ........................................................................... 1 2 9


page 76

Q13. Do you think that British ...[READ A-C] presents the European Union too positively, too

negatively or objectively?

- Too positively .......................................................................... 1

- Too negatively ......................................................................... 2

- Objectively ............................................................................. 3

- [DK/NA] .................................................................................. 9

a) Television ..................................................................................................... 1 2 3 9

b) Radio ............................................................................................................ 1 2 3 9

d) Press ............................................................................................................. 1 2 3 9

Q14. How much do you feel you know about the European Union, its policies, its institutions?

Would you say you know ...?

[READ OUT – ONE ANSWER ONLY]

- A great deal ........................................................................................ 1

- Quite a lot .......................................................................................... 2

- A little ................................................................................................ 3

- Nothing at all .................................................................................... 4

- [DK/NA] ............................................................................................. 9

Q15. Would you agree that the current information available on the European Union is simple

and clear enough?

- Strongly agree ....................................................................... 4

- Agree ....................................................................................... 3

- Disagree ................................................................................... 2

- Strongly disagree ................................................................... 1

- [DK/NA] .................................................................................. 9

Q16. How interested are you in receiving more information about the EU?

- Very interested ........................................................................ 4

- Quite interested ........................................................................ 3

- Quite uninterested ................................................................... 2

- Not at all interested? ................................................................ 1

- [DK/NA] ................................................................................. 9

ASK ONLY IF Q15 = DISAGREE/STRONGLY DISAGREE OR Q16= VERY/QUITE

INTERESTED

Q17. If more simple and clear information on the European Union were available, how likely

would you be to read /listen to /watch it?

[READ OUT – ONE ANSWER ONLY]

- Very likely ............................................................................... 4

- Likely....................................................................................... 3

- Not likely ................................................................................. 2

- Not likely at all? ...................................................................... 1

- [DK/NA] .................................................................................. 9


page 77

Q18. Who do you think should be responsible for keeping you informed about the EU and its

decisions? Please choose ONE from the list that I am going to read to you.

[READ OUT- ROTATE - ONE ANSWER ONLY]

- The EU institutions ............................................................................. 1

- The British government ...................................................................... 2

- The local government ......................................................................... 3

- Political parties ................................................................................... 4

- Newspapers/television ........................................................................ 5

- EU information centres in the UK ..................................................... .6

- [DK/NA] ............................................................................................ 9

Q19. Which of the main parties most closely represents your views on the European Union?

- Conservative ....................................................................................... 1

- Labour ................................................................................................. 2

- Liberal Democrat ................................................................................ 3

- United Kingdom Independence Party ................................................. 4

- British National Party ......................................................................... 5

- Scottish National Party ....................................................................... 6

- Plaid Cymru ........................................................................................ 7

- Other ................................................................................................... 8

- [DK/NA] ............................................................................................ 9

Q20. How important were European issues at the last general election in May 2010?

- Very .................................................................................................... 4

- Quite ................................................................................................... 3

- Not very .............................................................................................. 2

- Irrelevant ............................................................................................. 1

- [DK/NA] ............................................................................................ 9

D1. Gender

[DO NOT ASK- MARK APPROPRIATE]

- [1] Male

- [2] Female

D2. How old are you?

- [_][_]years old

- [00] [REFUSAL/NO ANSWER]

D3. How old were you when you stopped full-time education?

[WRITE IN THE AGE WHEN EDUCATION WAS TERMINATED]

- [_][_] years old

- [ 0 0 ] [STILL IN FULL TIME EDUCATION]

- [ 0 1 ] [NEVER BEEN IN FULL TIME EDUCATION]

- [ 9 9 ] [REFUSAL/NO ANSWER]


page 78

D4. As far as your current occupation is concerned, would you say you are self-employed, an

employee, a manual worker or would you say that you are without a professional

activity? Does it mean that you are a(n)...

[IF A RESPONSE TO THE MAIN CATEGORY IS GIVEN, READ OUT THE RESPECTIVE SUB-

CATEGORIES]

- Self-employed

i.e. : - farmer, forester, fisherman .................................................................... 11

- owner of a shop, craftsman.................................................................... 12

- professional (lawyer, medical practitioner, accountant, architect,...) ... 13

- manager of a company .......................................................................... 14

- other ....................................................................................................... 15

- Employee

i.e. : - professional (employed doctor, lawyer, accountant, architect) ............ 21

- general management, director or top management ............................... 22

- middle management............................................................................... 23

- Civil servant ........................................................................................... 24

- office clerk ............................................................................................. 25

- other employee (salesman, nurse, etc...) ............................................... 26

- other ....................................................................................................... 27

- Manual worker

i.e. : - supervisor / foreman (team manager, etc...)......................................... 31

- Manual worker ....................................................................................... 32

- unskilled manual worker ....................................................................... 33

- other ....................................................................................................... 34

- Without a professional activity

i.e. : - looking after the home ........................................................................... 41

- student (full time) .................................................................................. 42

- retired .................................................................................................... 43

- seeking a job .......................................................................................... 44

- other ....................................................................................................... 45

- [Refusal] ................................................................................................................ 99

D6. Would you say you live in a ...?

- metropolitan zone ............................................................................... 1

- other town/urban centre ..................................................................... 2

- rural zone ........................................................................................... 3

- [Refusal] ............................................................................................. 9

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