Jonathan Nicholls, Research Director - health and NHS, at the polling company MORI - spoke at two election-themed breakfast events this spring at The King’s Fund. Here are some of the slides that made up his presentation. These explain what his surveys have found about the public’s attitude towards NHS funding during a public spending squeeze.

1. People apprehensive about NHS over next few years – but its not about financial crunch Base: c.1,000 British Adults % net better Thinking about the NHS over the next few years do you expect it to get better/worse? Source: Ipsos MORI 2005 General Election (May 05) – Hewitt replaces Reid as Health Secretary Cameron elected (Dec 05) Brown as PM (Jun 07) – Johnson replaces Hewitt as Health Secretary 1p rise in National Insurance for NHS (Apr 02) Reid replaces Milburn as Health Secretary (Jun 03) Burnham replaces Johnson as Health Secretary (Jun 09)

2. A denial of seriousness of national debt… % Tend to disagree % Strongly disagree % Tend to agree % Strongly agree There is a real need to cut spending on public services in order to pay off the very high national debt we now have Making public services more efficient can save enough money to help cut government spending, without damaging services the public receive Base: 1,004 British adults, 19-21 June 2009 Source: Ipsos MORI Public Spending Index 40% To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements about public services in Britain?

3. 3 months later, even fewer want to look at cuts To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements about public services in Britain? There is a real need to cut spending on public services in order to pay off the very high national debt we now have Making public services more efficient can save enough money to help cut government spending, without damaging services the public receive Base: 1,041 online British adults aged 16-64, 4-7 Sept 2009 % Disagree % Agree

4. Consistent view it should be protected % Q10 Which of the following statements best reflects your thinking about the NHS? Base: English adults age 16+ (c.1,000 per wave) The NHS is crucial to British society and we must do everything to maintain it The NHS was a great project but we probably can’t maintain it in its current form

5. The NHS should provide all drugs and treatments no matter what they cost Base: British public, 18+ (1,001) 12-17 January 2006 The NHS should provide the most effective drugs and treatments no matter what they cost The NHS should provide the most effective drugs and treatments provided they represent good value for money It will provide me with everything I need … = no limits on spending 72% expect NHS to provide drugs no matter what they cost no matter what they cost treatments no matter what they cost

6. … and public want NHS protected The NHS/health care Schools The Police Defence Local authority services Benefit payments Social services Care for the elderly Overseas aid Which TWO or THREE, if any, of the following main areas of public spending do you think should be protected from any cuts ? None of these Don’t know Base: All who think some services should be protected (773), 19-21 June 2009 Source: Ipsos MORI Public Spending Index