URBAN LIFE WAVE 05 2011 HIGHLIGHTS

Public sector pension strikes

Opinion was split on public sector worker’s 1-day strike on 30th November; just as many of you agreeing that strike action was justified than not.  Public sector workers including teachers and staff from the NHS, local governments and border control agency took part in strike action over planned changes to pensions. The Labour supporters amongst you were much more in favour of the union member’s strike action than Conservative supporters; 67% versus 19% respectively.

Labour remains your most popular choice

Labour remain the most popular political party to vote for in the next general election amongst Urban Life members.  Conservative support has fallen slightly.  Support for the Lib Dems has dropped compared to this time last year (almost halving) with the Green party seeing early signs of encouragement amongst Urban Lifers. 

Voting intentions for the next UK general election [top 4]

Alcohol

Spirits are your most popular type of alcohol to drink, followed by lager and red wine, which is slightly ahead of white wine in fourth.  You’re more than twice as likely to drink cocktails and champagne than an average adult in the UK.  In fact, Urban Life members drink more alcohol types than the average adult (you boozy lot!) with alcopops being the only exception.

More than half of you (54%) agree that a bottle of something special (e.g. bubbly) is a great gift to give someone.  34% of you say that alcohol plays a big part in your social life, with 23% admitting they experience terrible hangovers.  So a high proportion of the ‘passionate’ drinkers amongst you suffer the after effects of a night of excess.

 Clothes shopping

1 in 3 Urban Life members say they’d pay more for designer fashion brands, more likely than an average adult in the UK.

You’re more likely to shop for clothes on the high street than online; 41% and 30% respectively doing so on a weekly basis.  During the week, you’re most likely to shop on the high street at lunchtime, whereas online clothes shopping peaks in the evening.

Amongst those of you that do any shopping, you spend an average of £104 a month on clothes and fashion accessories for yourself.  That’s a healthy ‘retail therapy’ boost to the UK economy each month!  Well done Urban Life members.

Mobile banking

85% of you have accessed your bank account online through a PC, laptop or Mac in the last month.  This compares to 23% who have done so on their mobile phone, either through an app or web browser.

Most of you that use mobile banking are happy with the service from your bank (74%).  Checking account history and recent transactions are the most popular reasons for using mobile banking.  Those who don’t use mobile banking say that data security on your phone is your main concern, followed by data security with your bank.

Tech good :-) or tech bad :-(

We asked what your views are on society’s fascination with technology and people needing/wanting to have the latest gadgets.

There were lots of positive and negative opinions, with slightly more ‘it’s bad because…’ responses.  Here is a flavour of some of your thoughts…

It’s good because…

“Enables people to keep in touch easily, find information easily, stay entertained”

“It encourages reading, debate, news consumption, shrinks the size of my handbag!”

“I am a complete gadget geek and love that it is constantly developing!”

“I love gadgets and technology but neither do I rush out to buy the latest thing. I think boredom fuels some of it and also fascination and what you can do with them. They are entertaining!”

“Technology advances are cool, it’s amazing to see how fast things have developed even in the last ten years. My phone is more powerful than Apollo 13, its pretty cool”

“Technology pushes the boundaries and moves us all towards a brighter future.  10 years ago, people got lost in towns, people had to thumb through large heavy books to get contact numbers for businesses.  Now with GPS phones and internet access, you have encyclopaedias and a wealth of information at your fingertips.”

“They make life easier.”

“we have a diverse wealth of information at our fingertips - it's so easy to find out something you don't know; get in touch with someone; enjoy books, films and music at the touch of button without a gadget that fits in your pocket.”

It’s bad because…

“Even my young children (ages 5 and 7) are aware of these items and feel disappointed because they don't have them.”

“It’s getting close to saturation. Too many different operating systems. So many devices make things more confusing and less appealing.”

“I think people have become too reliant on new technology and if it breaks down (e.g. the recent problems with Blackberry) they can't run their business effectively.”

“In most cases people get the gadgets and they do not actually need them. Instead they are just a way of passing time and can be very anti-social.”

“It encourages massive waste and low expectations for product lifespan.  It also drives greed and show-off behaviour.”

“It is yet another part of our culture that suggests that to have money is to be successful. It puts pressure on people to have the latest technology when they don't even know what it is to be used for most of the time. It makes people lazy and uncreative.”

“Normal communication goes out of the window. My boyfriend will take me out for a meal and then sit opposite me playing on his iPhone until I have a go at him. People are obsessed with it. I hate it.”

“Our obsession with the latest must-have gadget causes a churn of devices becoming prematurely discarded.”

“Social networking has prompted egotistical maniacs who don't actually know what they're talking about to voice opinion, not fact, and this is then spread as fact, not opinion.”

"They don’t bounce!”

“We are obsessed with having the latest model...it's materialism”

“You can always be located, especially with new phones nowadays. You do start to feel a tad old school when you are carrying a paperback instead of a kindle for example.”

78% knew that JLS were the music artist/band not to have won the X-Factor (they were runner-up to Alexandra Burke)

66% of you correctly identified Mark Cavendish as the UK cyclist to hit the headlines this year with a Tour de France green jersey and World Championship road race wins.

69% knew that Ed Balls is the Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer.  Very high scores this survey… we’ll make them harder for next time!