Should We Stop Using the Concept of an Underclass?

General Local Survey May 2002

Methodology
The General Local Survey was sent to 1107 residents of the taken from the most up-to-date electoral register on the 28th May 2002. After 3 weeks, in order to improve the response rate, a second copy of the questionnaire was sent to all those who had still not replied.

Response rate
1107 questionnaires were sent out. 1 was returned defaced, and 21 were returned by the postal service, which gives a sample size of 1085. Response rates were as follows:

Number Percent
After 1st questionnaire 280 26%
After 2nd questionnaire 235 22%
Total 515 47%

Results
The results were scanned and validated using the Formic computer software system. The results of the analysis are below. Where possible, comparisons are shown with the results of surveys carried out in previous years.

All percentages given are valid percentages. This means that the number of respondents who left the question blank, and who said the question did not apply to them, is not taken into account when calculating percentages.

Any confidence intervals quoted are based on a 95% level of confidence. This means that if the satisfaction level is 80% with a confidence interval of +/- 2%, we can be 95% confident that the true figure lies between 78% and 82%.

Demographics
% Sample % Census (1991)*
GENDER
Male 47 48
Female 53 52
AGE
Under 20 1 3
20 to 29 8 13
30 to 39 16 13
40 to 49 15 14
50 to 59 22 12
Over 60 39 24

*Information taken from the National Census of 1991 detailing the actual population in the .

As the table above indicates, those in the age groups over 29 are over-represented in the survey.

Section A ¡V General
Are you aware of any of the following Council services?
The table below shows the percentage of respondents who are aware of some of the services provided by Service % Yes % No Sample
Size
Complaints procedure 52 48 496
August 2001 result 46 54 541
October 2000 result 44 56 244
Economic Development... [continues]

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