APSE and Survation 2026 – Annual Polling of Councillors and the Public
Survation were commissioned by APSE to undertake its annual polling of both elected councillors and the general public, examining attitudes towards local council services, financial pressures, trust in institutions, and priorities for future investment.
This briefing draws together findings from:
- Councillor survey: Conducted online between 5–18 November 2025, with a sample of 504 elected councillors across the UK.
- Public survey: Conducted via an online panel between 29 October-12 November 2025, with a nationally representative sample of 2,361 UK adults aged 18+.
The results provide a snapshot of how local government is viewed at a time of continued financial pressure, alongside evidence of improving public confidence in council services.
- What do the public think about public service spending and the economy?
Damian Lyons-Lowe, Chief Executive, Survation - Presentation at APSE Performance Networks Seminar 2025
Promoting excellence in public services
APSE (Association for Public Service Excellence) is a not for profit unincorporated association working with over 300 councils throughout the UK. Promoting excellence in public services, APSE is the foremost specialist in local authority frontline services, hosting a network for frontline service providers in areas such as waste and refuse collection, parks and environmental services, cemeteries and crematorium, environmental health, leisure, school meals, cleaning, housing and building maintenance.
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