Brits want greater accountability, honesty and more caring society
People living in the UK want a more caring and compassionate society, with greater accountability, honesty and more effective governance, a major new report reveals.
Researchers have found caring for the elderly and disadvantaged, affordable housing and employment opportunities come top of British citizens’ wish lists.
The ground breaking study has been compiled by Barrett Values Centre (BVC) in consultation with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and charity Action for Happiness.
The report has questioned 4000 people living in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It has identified the personal values of people living in the UK, as well as the values they currently experience in their local communities and in the nation as a whole, along with the values they most want to see reflected in their communities and the nation.
The UK is the twenty-fourth country to be studied by BVC in the past five years. The results of the study are being provided to the Government in the hope that they will influence future policy making.
The report has revealed that people living in the UK value meaningful, close relationships and operate with a strong sense of integrity. The top personal values selected include caring, family, honesty, humour and fun, friendship, fairness and compassion, as well as independence, respect and trust.
When asked what values they currently experience in their local community, responses are closely aligned to these personal values, with respondents pinpointing quality of life, family, friendship and helpfulness. Other values highlighted included safety, community services, buy local and a sense of community. They also indicate that they experience drug/alcohol abuse and uncertainty about the future.
In contrast, when asked about the values they see operating in their nation as a whole, the picture is very different. The top values people see in the UK are bureaucracy, crime and violence, uncertainty about the future, corruption, blame, wasted resources, media influence, conflict/aggression, drugs/alcohol abuse and apathy.
When asked which values they would like to see operating, UK citizens identified caring for the elderly and disadvantaged, affordable housing, employment opportunities, accountability, honesty, government effectiveness, effective healthcare, employment opportunities and dependable public services.
At a community level, in addition to wanting to see more focus on caring for the disadvantaged and the elderly, people want to have more affordable housing, dependable public services and employment opportunities. They also want to see an increased focus on community services and more concern for future generations.
Phil Clothier, CEO of Barrett Values Centre, commented: “It’s great to see that most people feel positive about what is happening in their local communities, but it is quite disturbing to see the level of discontent that exists at a national level.
“We hope the results of the study will get people thinking and talking about the values and behaviours that are important to them. The results of this study send a clear message to our leaders that business as usual can no longer be tolerated.”
Dr Mark Williamson, director of Action for Happiness, said: "Our values have a huge impact on the society we live in, so this first national assessment of UK values is very welcome. At a time when many people fear we are losing our moral foundations, this research shows that what people in the UK actually value most of all is caring for others. This is reflected both in their personal values and also the values they would most like to see at the national level.
“I find it very encouraging that, on the whole, we Brits have a deep concern for our fellow citizens and want to live in a society which is compassionate and fair. However, the research suggests that we need political leadership which better reflects the values of the UK people".
To generate your own free personal values report, visit valuescentre.com/pva.