National Survey for Wales underway to help inform local services

The biggest annual survey of people in Wales is getting underway with the organisers seeking to interview 12,000 people to help inform important decisions on local services and government priorities.

The Newport-based Office for National Statistics (ONS) runs the National Survey for Wales on behalf of the Welsh Government and other public bodies in Wales.

In recent years, getting people to take part in official surveys has been a challenge worldwide. The National Survey managers believe that people in Wales can help break that trend, as the survey offers the public a unique opportunity to influence decisions that affect them.

The survey questions cover a range of important issues including education, health and social care, council services and leisure activities.

Dr Steve Marshall, Welsh Government’s Chief Social Research Officer, said:

“The last National Survey for Wales told us that only 2 out of 10 people feel they can influence decisions affecting their local area. Through participating in the National Survey, people get to share their views and experiences on important local issues to make that happen.”

The survey results are used by the Welsh Government to understand more about the everyday lives and views of people across Wales. For example, last year the survey found that while 90% of people are satisfied with care from their GP, 38% find it difficult to make a convenient appointment. And 93% of parents are satisfied with the quality of formal childcare, but 29% find it difficult to fit that in with their working hours. These and other survey results are being used to help improve services nationally.

Survey participants are selected randomly to form a representative sample of the population. Interviews are conducted in people’s homes by experienced interviewers in either English or Welsh and take around 45 minutes to complete.

Martina Helme, the National Survey for Wales manager for ONS explained: “This isn’t just another market research exercise. This survey really matters because it gives the Welsh Government evidence it can’t get any other way. So if you are contacted by ONS for an interview, please take this valuable opportunity to make your views count!”