Wave Six – July-September 2024

• The rising cost of living is continuing to have a widespread impact on residents. 76% of residents are ‘very’ or ‘quite’ concerned about it in relation to their ability to manage their finances
• 41% of residents are less able, or unable to met the day-to-day costs of living – this has reduced since the previous wave of research
• The increasing price of food shopping (77%), gas or electricity bills (62%) and price of fuel (41%) remain the top reasons for the rise in the cost of living for a second year running
• In response to rising costs residents are spending less, shopping around more, using their savings, and using less fuel
• Uncertainty about eligibility, the ability of organisations to help, and not wanting others to know they need support are preventing some residents accessing information, advice and support
• Local independent retail and national/international retail chains are where residents expect to spend less in the next 12 months, although more residents than last year also expect to spend the same across all categories, apart from culture and leisure
• Around half of residents are happy and satisfied with their life nowadays, similar to previous waves of research
• Residents are experiencing widespread problems accessing GP practices and dentists which centre around booking appointments and registering at an NHS dentist
• Of those who are able to rate adult social care services offered by the council, nearly half rate the quality as good or very good
• To celebrate the city’s centenary, most residents would like celebratory events and festivals and activities like ‘100 things to do/ places to go in Portsmouth’. Residents would most like a lasting legacy to be created through projects to make the city greener, to support young people, and to encourage local people to be healthier and happier

We did some similar research in 2020 and 2021 but with a focus on the impact of coronavirus. In 2022 we spoke to you again but focused on the rising cost of living. In total have had more than 7,800 responses from residents. Results from all waves of research can be found on the Resident Research home page.

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An online survey was the main approach taken for the research although paper copies were made available both around the city and on request. The survey launched on 29 July 2024 and was in field until 15 September 2024. It was promoted through the following marketing and communication channels:

• Press release announcing the survey
• Social media promotion including boosted posts and paid advertising
• Website news story, banners and ‘your city your say’ page
• Inclusion in news bulletins
• Inclusion in staff bulletins and all-staff emails
• Posters in key locations around the city
• Promoted with voluntary and community sector organisations
• Made available as a paper survey in key locations around the city e.g. libraries and community centres
• Face-to-face engagement events

Despite extensive efforts to reach out to all demographics, the sample collected was not representative of Portsmouth’s known population. In order to ensure that the results of the analysis were representative of the views of the city’s residents, the data was weighted using various sources of Official Statistics. For further details see our data weighting webpage.

The consultation survey attracted 1,909 responses from residents. Assuming a ‘total population’ of 170,818 people (the latest 2021 census data from the Office for National Statistics for people aged 16+ in Portsmouth), this volume of responses ensures a 95% confidence level with a margin of error of 2%.