Welcome
Welcome to this year’s Almanac and review of the year from Ipsos MORI!
In a year we thought would be a turning point in the climate emergency, instead it was a year unlike any other. Here we discuss lockdowns, Black Lives Matter protests, how consumer expectations of brands changed during the pandemic, a possible green recovery in the wake of a global recession, the race for a vaccine, and much, much more.
Watch the introduction video to hear more or read on for my full foreword…
Ben Page
Chief Executive
Ipsos MORI
State of the Nation
In a year dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic, we explore the mood of the nation and attitudes to key issues, including sustainability, city living and our public services.
Lockdown lives
What would Britain look like if it was a village of 100 people?
The future for public services
Reviewing public service funding before and during the pandemic, we question what the public want from the state moving forward.
Beyond the pandemic
How has COVID-19 altered the values and convictions we hold on topics such as morality, society and ideology?
Women and COVID-19
Here we explore how women have borne most of the emotional, mental and economic effects of the pandemic.
Asking the right sustainability questions
As environmental concerns increase in the UK, consumers look for brands and government to lead the way on sustainability.
Have we reached city limits?
COVID-19 has changed our attitudes towards city living. Here we question whether we have reached ‘peak city’.
Doing the right thing
When we look back at the 2020 pandemic, we might be surprised at how adherent people were to government measures.
Conspiracy theories
The global health crisis has encouraged a number of conspiracy theories this year.
Did you
know?
In May,
%
of people reported having had more vivid dreams than usual
Health
Here we look at the global health crisis alongside public attitudes to the NHS, vaccines and the digitisation of healthcare.
The future of healthcare
Protect the NHS
Amid a public health crisis, how have the British public’s attitudes towards the NHS changed?
COVID-19 and mental health
Recently public awareness of mental health issues has grown dramatically, but what has been the mental toll of COVID-19?
No panacea
As faith in vaccination has dropped globally, to instil confidence, we need to communicate facts alongside stories and emotion.
Did you
know?
In 2019
%
believed that infectious diseases would be a threat to health
Politics
As we near the end of the Brexit transition period, we reflect on a turbulent year for the main political parties, support for Scottish independence and investment in the north.
Politics in review
Britain faces a different political environment in 2021. Here we explore 2020’s major political events.
Brexit: the end of the beginning
As we reach the end of the transition period, we question how does the UK feel about Brexit?
What happened to trust in 2020?
This article explores how the past year has changed our trust in politics and professions.
Decision-making in a crisis
The global pandemic has forced governments to make major decisions. In the UK, Britons want fast and transparent action.
The end of the Union?
Six years after the 2014 Scottish referendum vote, we investigate how public opinion has changed.
Levelling up
Here we explore public opinion to the Government’s intention to ‘level up’ the country by investing in the infrastructure of the north.
US election
With Joe Biden the new President-Elect, we explore how the election unfolded and what’s next for the US.
Did you
know?
%
say failing to address the climate emergency in the economic recovery from COVID-19 would be harmful to future generations
Brands & Media
We investigate the role brands and media have played this year as lockdown caused us to spend more time in front of the TV and forced us all to shop online.
The resilience of Brand Britain
We put ‘Brand Britain’ under the spotlight and look at how it is seen on the global stage.
The acceleration of media trends and behaviours
How have our TV needs changed in a year spent at home? We explore trends including nostalgia and family viewing.
Pushing the envelope
Considering COVID-19 and the climate emergency, we explore how packaging solutions are balancing hygiene and sustainability.
Faking the headlines
Disinformation poses a threat to democracies on both sides of the Atlantic. Here we discuss our trust in media.
Brand building in a crisis
As brands continue to adapt to COVID-19, we review the key brand principles required to weather a crisis.
The future of shopping
COVID-19 has seen a surge in online shopping. In this article we explore what this means for ecommerce.
Did you
know?
%
of Britons believe that the symptoms that most people blame on COVID-19 appear to be connected to 5G radiation
Diverse Britain
This year has seen numerous protests demanding the UK better support, recognise and defend the rights of all its residents, in all contexts – whether in boardrooms or on our TV screens.
Representation in content
Here we explore how content creators can authentically represent diversity in their characters and narratives.
Transgender rights and a generational divide
In this article we investigate the British public’s opinions towards transgender rights and generational differences in attitudes.
Britons remain positive about refugee rights
Whilst the pandemic has caused some unease around opening Britain’s borders, the nation is generally positive about welcoming refugees.
Turning words into action in boardroom diversity
In a year of social change, what are business leaders’ attitudes to making diversity and inclusion practice a reality?
Did you
know?
%
of Britons support the aims of the Black Lives Matter movement
Business & Finance
With a recession on the horizon and consumers increasingly placing businesses under scrutiny, we investigate the financial impacts of the pandemic and how crisis can inspire innovation.
CX matters
In a year of change, we explore the needs and expectations of customers and the value of great customer experience.
Global instability fuelling financial inequality
COVID-19 has intensified some of the disparities in our society. Here we explore the pandemic’s effects on financial inequality.
Retail in lockdown
Here we explore how the retail industry can survive the pandemic by reshaping, realigning and refocusing for the future.
The decline of formality
As COVID-19 has forced a surge in home working, have we become less formal in our behaviour and dress code?
Crisis - the catalyst for rapid innovation
In this piece we explore how crisis can help to inspire and accelerate business innovation.
The pandemic savings illusion
While high-earners may have saved during the pandemic, financially vulnerable households have been hit hard
Did you
know?
%
of current pet owners got a new pet during lockdown