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Here is an archive of our historic polls and reports. Our latest polls can be found by clicking the button below.
Independent think-tank British Future commissioned ICM Unlimited to carry out nationally representative research looking at the 14-18 NOW arts programme and attitudes to the arts and history more broadly. The findings of the research are drawn upon in British Future’s ‘Crossing Divides: How arts and heritage can help bring us together‘ report, and in the accompanying press release on the British Future website.
Sunder Katwala, British Future Director and co-author of the report, wrote a related article (‘Investment in the arts could help bridge Britain’s divides‘) in The Times.
As part of this poll, respondents were asked about the proposed ‘Festival of Great Britain and Northern Ireland’. The results to this question were referenced in an article (‘Timing of May’s ‘festival of Britain’ risks Irish anger‘) in The Observer on Sunday 14 April, as well as in British Future’s own write-up.
The results of this question can be downloaded below. The results of the rest of the poll can be found here.
ICM interviewed a sample of 2,009 GB adults aged 18+ online using its omnibus service between the 15 and 18 February 2019. ICM also interviewed 251 GB 16-17-year-olds between 15 and 20 February 2019. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 16+). A boost sample of 507 ethnic minority respondents was also achieved between 15 and 18 February 2019.
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Independent think-tank British Future commissioned ICM Unlimited to carry out nationally representative research looking at the 14-18 NOW arts programme and attitudes to the arts and history more broadly. The findings of the research are drawn upon in British Future’s ‘Crossing Divides: How arts and heritage can help bring us together‘ report, and in the accompanying press release on the British Future website.
Sunder Katwala, British Future Director and co-author of the report, wrote a related article (‘Investment in the arts could help bridge Britain’s divides‘) in The Times.
ICM interviewed a sample of 2,009 GB adults aged 18+ online using its omnibus service between the 15 and 18 February 2019. ICM also interviewed 251 GB 16-17-year-olds between 15 and 20 February 2019. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 16+). A boost sample of 507 ethnic minority respondents was also achieved between 15 and 18 February 2019.
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ICM Unlimited were commissioned by BBC Wales to carry out the annual St. David’s Day Poll among the general public in Wales.
This poll has been covered on the BBC News website here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-47538946
Below is a summary of the key findings of the question on perceptions of racial prejudice in Wales and perceptions of the impact of migrants.
Key findings
ICM Unlimited interviewed a representative sample of 1,000 adults aged 18+ by telephone between 7-23 February 2019. Interviews were conducted across Wales and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults in Wales. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.
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ICM Unlimited were commissioned by BBC Wales to carry out the annual St. David’s Day Poll among the general public in Wales.
This poll has been covered on the BBC News website here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-47475486
Below is a summary of the key findings of the question on how adults in Wales see themselves with regards to nationality.
Key findings
Further details of the, as well as some of the earlier findings can be found here: https://www.icmunlimited.com/polls/bbc-wales-st-davids-day-poll-2019-2/ and here: https://www.icmunlimited.com/polls/bbc-wales-st-davids-day-poll-2019/
The data tables for the question on attitudes towards same sex relationships can be downloaded here: QNEW10 – Tables
ICM Unlimited interviewed a representative sample of 1,000 adults aged 18+ by telephone between 7-23 February 2019. Interviews were conducted across Wales and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults in Wales. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.
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ICM Unlimited were commissioned by BBC Wales to carry out the annual St. David’s Day Poll among the general public in Wales.
This poll has been covered on the BBC News website here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-47443374
Below is a summary of the key findings of the questions on whether the monarchy should be abolished, whether there should be a new Prince of Wales when Charles becomes King, and the nature of a possible future investiture ceremony.
Key findings
Further details of the poll, as well as some of the earlier findings, can be found here: https://www.icmunlimited.com/polls/bbc-wales-st-davids-day-poll-2019/
ICM Unlimited interviewed a representative sample of 1,000 adults aged 18+ by telephone between 7-23 February 2019. Interviews were conducted across Wales and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults in Wales. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.
Download report
ICM Unlimited were commissioned by BBC Wales to carry out the annual St. David’s Day poll among the general public in Wales.
This poll has been covered on the BBC News website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-47394303
Below is a summary of some of the key findings of the Westminster and Welsh Assembly voting intentions questions and of the tracker questions on the future of devolution and the perceived impact of Brexit.
Key Findings
| 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | Mar-14 | Sep-14 | Mar-15 | Mar-16 | Mar-17 | Feb-18 | Feb-19 | |
| Independence | 11% | 11% | 7% | 9% | 5% | 3% | 6% | 6% | 6% | 7% | 7% |
| Assembly plus more powers | 40% | 35% | 36% | 36% | 37% | 49% | 40% | 43% | 44% | 44% | 46% |
| Assembly remain as present | 13% | 18% | 29% | 28% | 28% | 26% | 33% | 30% | 29% | 28% | 27% |
| Assembly with fewer powers | 18% | 17% | 2% | 2% | 3% | 2% | 4% | 3% | 3% | 4% | 3% |
| Abolish Assembly | 13% | 15% | 22% | 20% | 23% | 12% | 13% | 13% | 13% | 12% | 13% |
| DK | 4% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 5% | 3% | – | 4% | 3% | 4% | 2% |
| To the Welsh Economy | To your own personal finances | On the way of life in Wales today in general | |||||||
| Feb-18 | Feb-19 | Change | Feb-18 | Feb-19 | Change | Feb-18 | Feb-19 | Change | |
| Positive impact | 24% | 20% | -4 | 14% | 10% | -4 | 23% | 19% | -4 |
| Negative impact | 49% | 56% | +7 | 36% | 39% | +3 | 46% | 51% | +5 |
| Will make no difference | 17% | 16% | -1 | 41% | 42% | +1 | 22% | 23% | +1 |
| DK | 10% | 8% | -2 | 9% | 9% | 0 | 9% | 7% | -2 |
ICM Unlimited interviewed a representative sample of 1,000 adults aged 18+ by telephone between 7-23 February 2019. Interviews were conducted across Wales and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults in Wales. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.
Click here for methodology details
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Following on from Theresa May’s heavy defeat in the House of Commons on Tuesday evening, ICM asked the British public which steps the Prime Minister should now take. We presented a range of possible options, including a second election, referendum, resignation, persisting with her deal, renegotiating a softer/harder deal, getting an extension to article 50 and pursuing a hard Brexit.
While there is no majority in favour of any single option, Brits are most likely to think that May should pursue a ‘no deal’ Brexit (28%). Demonstrating the divide in public opinion, the next most popular option, supported by just under 1 in 4 (24%) of the public, is to start the process of holding a second referendum.
It’s also illuminating to see what the general public don’t think should happen next – in the public’s eyes May’s deal is dead, with only 8% thinking she should persist on getting it through parliament. Only a small number more think she should call a general election (11%). And one of the most likely options in the eyes of many commentators – trying to renegotiate a ‘softer’ Brexit deal – only gets the support of 1 in 8 (13%) of the population.
Given the no-confidence vote on Wednesday and the debate on what this means for Labour’s position on a second Referendum, it’s also worth noting that on this question 2017 Labour voters are much more likely to think May should hold a second referendum (34%) than call a snap general election (22%).
And if a general election was called on the subject of Brexit, our poll would be concerning reading for the Labour leadership. A clear majority (56%) of the British public disagree with the statement that Jeremy Corbyn would make a better job of Brexit than Theresa May, with almost half of the population (45%) disagreeing strongly. And, given the deadlock over the Brexit deal, support for a general election is lower than for a second referendum (29% vs 36%). Indeed, marginally more 2017 Labour voters agree that a second referendum is a good idea (50%) compared to a general election (47%).
This poll was featured in The Guardian – read the article here.
We also asked Voting Intention, with the results as below – Labour are up to 40%, one percentage point ahead of the Conservatives on 39%.
| Conservative |
39% |
| Labour |
40% |
| LibDem |
9% |
| SNP |
3% |
| PC |
*% |
| Green |
3% |
| UKIP |
5% |
| Other |
1% |
ICM Unlimited interviewed a representative online sample of 2,046 adults aged 18+, between 16th – 18th January 2019. Interviews were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.
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ICM were commissioned to carry out a poll on family pressures on behalf of Family Action.
ICM Unlimited interviewed two representative samples of 2,050 (wave 1) and 2,044 (wave 2) people aged 18+ living in Great Britain online between 11th – 13th May (wave 1) and 25th – 27th July 2018 (wave 2). Interviews were conducted online, and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults.
This research was covered on www.thedrum.com and other media outlets.
Key findings from the study include:
3 in 4 (75%) families say that there is at least one common pressure for them and their close family. A lack of money, followed by cost of living, is the top ‘main pressure’ cited, with physical health issues/disability following this. Other top pressures relate to health and wellness overall, including mental health and care of ageing relatives, spending quality time together, family relationships and work/education pressures.
The preferred option to address family pressures is to talk about it with someone. However, 4 in 10 (42% of those who have close family pressures) don’t do anything about it. Some feel like they don’t need to (19%), but there are barriers in place for others including:
ICM were commissioned to carry out a poll on attitudes to debt and payday lending on behalf of Debt Hacker.
ICM Unlimited interviewed a representative sample of 2,002 adults across Great Britain aged 18+, between 3rd – 8th October 2018. Interviews were conducted online and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults.
This research was covered in The Big Issue and other media outlets.
This landmark ICM Unlimited poll on behalf of The Guardian shows the extent of the everyday negative experiences and potential bias faced by BAME people in Britain today.
ICM interviewed a representative sample of 1,000 Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people living in Britain. This is a sample size and robustness rarely seen among this audience in publicly available polling and allows for a detailed analysis of the experiences and views of Britain’s BAME population.
The results are stark. A majority (57%) of BAME people agree they have to work harder to succeed in Britain because of their ethnicity. Ultimately, more than 2 in 3 (69%) BAME people think that Britain today has a problem with racism.
In addition to this representative sample of BAME people, we also sourced a ‘comparison sample’ of over 1,700 White people in Britain, drawn from a nationally representative sample of Great Britain. This approach allowed us to ask both White and BAME people in Britain about certain experiences and take a look at the differences between the two groups.
For all six experiences we asked of both the BAME and the White sample, BAME people report being more likely to experience them than White people overall. For each and every experience, BAME people were not only more likely to have experienced this, but were also more likely to report having experienced this more recently compared to White people. This suggests that BAME people are much more likely to face the negative experiences we tested, and are also more likely to have these negative experiences with a greater frequency than the White population overall.
More than 2 in 5 (43%) of BAME people in Britain say they have been overlooked in a job application process or for promotion at work in a manner that felt unfair in the last five years. This is more than double the proportion of White people in Britain who said the same (less than 1 in 5, 18%).
A quarter (25%) of BAME people in Britain report having been refused entrance or asked to leave a restaurant, bar or club for no good reason in the past 5 years. This is almost three times the proportion of White people who have experienced the same, at less than 1 in 10 (9%).
More than 2 in 3 BAME people in Britain (69%) say that a stranger has been abusive or rude to them in public, significantly more than the half (52%) of the White population who say the same thing.
Almost half of BAME people in Britain (47%) say they have been treated like a potential shoplifter in a shop when they hadn’t done anything wrong – more than double the 22% of White people in Britain who say the same. And if some readers might think this is due to events of long ago – legacy racist attitudes which no longer exist – these results pose a real challenge to such views. 15% (around 1 in 7) of BAME people in Britain say they have been treated like a potential shoplifter in the past month alone. The equivalent figure for White people in Britain is only 4% (around 1 in 25).
Other key findings from this study include:
Alex Turk, Research Manager at ICM Unlimited, comments on the findings.
‘Our findings suggest that the negative experiences asked about, some of which may never have been experienced by many White people in Britain, are all-too-often a frequent occurrence among BAME people living in Britain today. This poll suggests that, at least in terms of the experiences we tested, there is a big difference in the lived-experiences of BAME and White people in Britain today.’
‘The magnitude of some of these differences may come as a shock to some readers – our poll suggests that BAME people may be several times more likely to be at the receiving end of negative experiences compared to their White friends, colleagues and neighbours.’
‘The strong sample size of 1,000, designed to be representative of the BAME population in Britain, allows for a detailed analysis not usually possible on publicly available polling. It allows us to look into the differing experiences and views of subgroups in the BAME and White population. This ultimately helps to disaggregate ‘BAME’ as a broad category – we can look at the differing experiences of Britain’s BAME population by more detailed ethnicity breakdowns, religious belief, age, gender, region, and sexual orientation.’
‘We can also see that young people – whether White or BAME – are more likely to say they’ve had the negative experiences we’ve asked about compared to older people. But while this generational divide exists across all ethnicities, it is still clear that BAME people are more likely to have these negative experiences compared to their White contemporaries.’
‘One of the few possible positive findings is that a majority (57%) of BAME people in Britain say they either have never experienced someone directing racist language at them or, if they have experienced this, it was more than five years ago. This finding could be interpreted as the result of a positive shift in attitudes over the years – where previously it may have been more socially acceptable to direct racist language at BAME people, it is no longer so.’
‘But there are two immediate points that this research raises which can be used in response to this argument. Firstly, it’s still the case that around 1 in 8 (12%) of BAME people have had racist language directed at them in the past month, rising to 1 in 5 (21%) within the past six months, 3 in 10 (29%) within the last year and over 2 in 5 (43%) within the last five years. For many, these figures will still be unacceptably high’
‘Secondly, we have to consider more broadly what this research contributes. Even if we view this possible long-term decline in direct racist language as a positive development, the rest of this research shows that there remains a vast range of negative experiences that BAME people are much more likely to be at the receiving end of compared to White people. These negative experiences might be seen by some as less overt and obvious examples of racist, ethnically biased or structurally unequal outcomes. Nevertheless this research strongly suggests that, in the areas we have tested, BAME people are much more likely to have negative experiences than White people in Britain today.’
‘Ultimately 2 in 3 BAME people agree the Britain has a problem with racism. It’s a stark result and, in light of the broader findings in this research, we fully expect these findings to contribute to the important debate on ethnicity in Britain today.’
Read the main Guardian write up, The Guardian’s data visualisations of the polling results, and Afua Hirsch’s comment article on why this study matters.
