January 2022
Featured in this insight: Central government & non-department public bodies, Local & regional government
More people have trust in their local council than in the Government to make decisions about their local area: A recent survey has revealed that more people would place their trust in their local council to make decisions about the area they live in, than in the Government; with over half (51%) saying they trust their local council.
Just 7% said they would trust the Government to make a good decision for their local area.
The study, on behalf on the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE), polled over 1,500 adults in the UK, and was commissioned after a survey by the University of Kent and charity, Belong, observed the public’s opinions on the Government over the Covid-19 pandemic.
When asked about services in their local area, 51% said they trust their local council to make decisions about services, with just 15% placing their trust in the Government.
The survey also found that trust in private companies to deliver their local services effectively (13%) was greater than trust in the Government (12%). However, almost half the participants polled (49%) said they would trust their local council.
In addition, the survey looked at participant opinions on the best way to limit climate change, with 37% believing their local council are best placed to implement measures to tackle the issue, while three in 10 believe it should be left to central Government.
Paul O’Brien, chief executive for APSE, said: “Though the survey should bring some reassurance to the sector, it should also serve as a spur to action in convincing Government of the need to grant councils parity of esteem when delivering improvements at a community level.”
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