Public attitudes to coronavirus: March update

4. Views on government and information sources

Rating of government

This section summarises data about public trust in Coronavirus guidance and restrictions, and trust in various sources to provide information about Coronavirus.

Respondents were asked how good or poor a job various institutions are doing to help their country deal with recovery following the pandemic. As shown in Figure 26, NHS Scotland was rated most highly of the institutions during January and February. The proportion who rated the Scottish Government as doing a good job remained stable at two thirds, while positive ratings of the UK Government increased (23% to 29%).

Source: YouGov weekly Scotland survey. Base (n=1007-1038)

Trust in Scottish Government

Respondents were asked to what extent they trust the Scottish Government to work in Scotland's best interests during the Coronavirus pandemic. As shown in Figure 27, around 70% responded that they trust the Scottish Government 'a great deal' or 'quite a lot', while around a quarter responded that they do not. Responses remained fairly stable in January and February.

Source: YouGov weekly Scotland survey. Base (n=1007-1028)

Trust in Scottish Government advice and guidance

Respondents were asked whether they agreed or disagreed with statements about trust in the Scottish Government's advice and guidance. Figure 28 shows that around three quarters agreed that they trust the stay at home advice. 63% to 58% agreed they trust the Scottish Government to decide when and how it's best to lift and re-impose restrictions. Levels of agreement were lower in mid/late February compared to January.

Source: YouGov weekly Scotland survey. Base (n=1000-1038)

Figure 29 details that 77% to 80% agreed that they feel clear what is required of them under the current restrictions in January and February. 62% to 66% of respondents agreed that they think the advice from the Scottish Government is clear and helpful.

Source: YouGov weekly Scotland survey. Base (n=1000-1038)

Respondents were shown a list of various information sources and asked about the degree to which they trust these to deliver information on Coronavirus. As shown in Figure 30, the proportions who said they trust NHS Scotland and scientists were consistently higher than other sources. Trust in information from the UK Government increased during January and February, from around a quarter reporting to trust information 'completely' or 'mostly' to just over a third. The proportion who reported to trust the Scottish Government remained around two thirds. More than half reported to trust information from Local Authorities.

Source: YouGov weekly Scotland survey. Base (n=1007-1038)