We use cookies to collect anonymous data to help us improve your site browsing experience.

Click 'Accept all cookies' to agree to all cookies that collect anonymous data. To only allow the cookies that make the site work, click 'Use essential cookies only.' Visit 'Set cookie preferences' to control specific cookies.

Set cookie preferences

Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Publication - Research and analysis

Public attitudes to Coronavirus: January update

Published
29 January 2021
From
Chief Social Researcher
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Scotland
ISBN
9781800046214

This report includes some high level findings from recent polling work on public attitudes to the coronavirus pandemic in Scotland.

View supporting documents Supporting documents

1. Impact of Coronavirus

Financial impact

Respondents were asked about the perceived level of threat to their job resulting from Coronavirus. Figure 1 shows that around one quarter of those employed perceived a 'very high' or 'high' threat to their job. This remained fairly consistent during November and December.

Figure 1: Perceived threat to job amongst those employed

17%-22% perceive a very/low threat, 22%-25% perceive a very/high threat, and 31%-34% perceive a moderate threat

Source: YouGov weekly Scotland survey. Base those in employment (n=413-461)

Respondents were also asked how concerned they are about the impact of Coronavirus on their household finances. As shown in Figure 2, between one in six and one in eight were 'very' or 'extremely' concerned that they will not be able to pay bills, have a job, or be able to provide for their household in one month's time.

Figure 2: Proportion of respondents who were very/extremely concerned about the scenarios shown

Bar chart with 3 sets of two bars, with bars ranging from 12% to 16%, all are stable

Source: YouGov weekly Scotland survey. Base (n=1013-1020)

Respondents were also asked how worried they are about the long-lasting effect of Coronavirus on jobs and the economy. As shown in Figure 3, the majority agreed that they were worried in November and December.

Figure 3: Proportion of respondents who agreed/disagreed with the statement 'I am worried about the long-lasting effect of restrictions on our jobs and our economy'

Stable, 8%-11% strongly/tend to disagree, 39%-40% tend to agree, 36%-40% strongly agree

Source: YouGov weekly Scotland survey. Base (n=1002-1004)

Respondents were asked to rank a list of possible issues in order of concern in relation to the year ahead (i.e. 2021). As shown in Figure 4, the most common option to be ranked as the one respondents were most concerned about was increasing hospitalisations and deaths from Coronavirus.

Figure 4: Proportion of respondents who ranked each option as that which they were most concerned about from a list of options [1]

Concern for deaths/hospitalisations increased 32%-37%, worry for NHS and the economy stable 14%-17%

Source: YouGov weekly Scotland survey. Base (n=1005-1013)

Health impacts

To understand the potential impact on non-COVID related health issues, respondents were asked if they would avoid contacting a GP for immediate non-Covid-19 medical concerns. As shown in Figure 5, consistently just over one quarter agreed that they would avoid doing so, slightly fewer from 8-9 December.

Figure 5: Proportion who agreed/disagreed that 'I would avoid contacting a GP practice at the moment even if I had an immediate medical concern (not related to Coronavirus)'

Fluctuated but stable overall, 24%-30% strongly/tend to agree, 58%-62% strongly/tend to disagree

Source: YouGov weekly Scotland survey. Base (n=1002-1020)

Contact

Email: covid-19.behaviours@gov.scot

Back to top