Radioactive Waste Management - Public Attitudes Survey for Scotland

Chapter 1: Background and Methodology

Diffley Partnership was commissioned to conduct a survey of the Scottish adult (16+) population on radioactive waste management in Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government. This report sets out the key findings from the public research.

1.1 Background

The Scottish Government commissioned this research to understand the Scottish public's attitudes towards radioactive waste management. The primary objective of the study was to gain deeper insight into the perspectives held by the Scottish public regarding various aspects of radioactive waste management.

Radioactive waste can originate from a variety of sources including research, the health sector or from nuclear sites.

Radioactive waste management includes all activities, including nuclear site decommissioning activities, which relate to the handling, pre-treatment, treatment, conditioning, storage or disposal of radioactive waste (including discharges).

Scotland has existing radioactive waste that must be managed, for example that which arose as a result of nuclear power generation. More radioactive waste will necessarily arise, for example that which will arise as nuclear sites are decommissioned and cleaned up.

Radioactive waste must be managed safely and in a way that avoids placing an undue burden on future generations.

Prior research on public attitudes to radioactive waste management is limited and largely stems from the 2008 Eurobarometer survey^[1]. While this survey contains some data, its usefulness is constrained by a lack of respondents from Scotland, rendering the results less meaningful. Gathering current and reliable insights from the Scottish public is crucial to ensure policymakers are well-informed.

1.2 Methodology

A nationally representative online survey of over 2,000 adults (aged 16+) across Scotland was utilised to collect a breadth of data on awareness and attitudes towards radioactive waste management from members of the public.

The survey (see Appendix A) was drafted by Diffley Partnership with input from Scottish Government. The survey was administered through the ScotPulse online panel of over 46,000 adults (aged 16+) across Scotland, including those in remote, rural and island communities. Panel members sign up on a voluntary basis and are not paid to complete surveys. The panel is recruited through a range of advertising, including advertising on national television as well as on social media profiles. Participants are chosen at random to contribute.

The survey took place between 8^th – 11^th January 2024. A total of 2,160 completed responses were achieved. Total number of respondents for each question are presented throughout to account for instances where some participants have not answered all questions. The survey data were weighted to the age and gender profile of the population in Scotland using mid-year population estimates. Responses were tabulated and analysed quantitively, including significance testing for between-groups differences in opinion.

Questions which were qualitative in nature were analysed thematically and summarised, exploring the differences in opinion. In line with qualitative reporting practices, phrases such as 'many', 'several' or 'some' have been used to indicate the volume of responses in relation to the particular points or themes discussed. Here, 'many', 'most' or 'a large proportion' can be understood as the majority of respondents, 'several' or 'some' as a smaller subset of respondents, and 'a few' as a minority of respondents. Phrases like 'one respondent' are used where a respondent raised pertinent points that summarised, or contrasted, the views of others.

1.3 Presentation and interpretation of findings

This report summarises the key findings of this survey, drawing out noteworthy findings and between-groups differences.

Findings chapters provide more detail on:

• Knowledge of radioactive waste management,
• Attitudes towards radioactive waste management,
• Priorities in radioactive waste management,
• Decision making in radioactive waste management.

Each aspect is explored in turn, with the aid of data visualisations, commenting on significant differences between demographic groups. Subgroups of the population are created from known variables or questions within the questionnaire.

Subgroup analysis was also conducted through analysis of geographic variables. In particular, the derived variables of Scottish Parliamentary Area, Urban Rural 6-Fold Classification and Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD)^[2].

1.4 Analysis and reporting

Descriptive analysis was conducted and is presented in this report. For frequency reporting, where percentages do not sum to 100%, this is due to rounding, the exclusion of 'don't know' categories, or multiple answers. Aggregate percentages (for example where 'agree' and 'strongly agree' responses are combined) are calculated from the absolute values. Therefore, aggregate percentages may differ from the sum of individual scores due to rounding of percentage totals.

Significance testing, at a 95% confidence level (p < 0.05) was applied. Differences are only reported when statistically significant. Reporting does not include every result of every statistical test conducted, the most relevant results are highlighted.

1.5 Interpretation

The margin of error for the data, based on a nationally representative survey of the adult population of Scotland, is 3% at the 95% confidence level. The margin of error refers to the range of values above and below the actual survey result that we can be confident the views of the public will lie between. For example, if 50% of the sample surveyed strongly agree with a statement, a 3% margin of error means that the true value lies between 47% and 53%.