A new study of Cumbrian attitudes towards race, diversity and neighbourhood provides a revealing snapshot of Cumbrians' views on issues including immigration, disability, sexuality and age and also reveals how opinions in the county have changed over the last three years.
The 2007 Cumbria Attitudes Survey, commissioned by Cumbria County Council in conjunction with Cumbria Constabulary, questions 1,200 Cumbrians across all six districts on a range of issues. The first survey was conducted in 2004, so the latest findings provide the county's first comparitive data on how attitudes have shifted recently.
Two new categories of minorities were added (Muslims and Eastern European migrant workers) to reflect the national focus on these issues in public debate.
The results will be used to help the county council, the police and other agencies improve their services. A paper being considered by Cabinet next week (4 September) recommends that a community cohesion strategy is developed to manage the issues arising from the survey.
Key findings include:
- Cumbrians believe the three big issues in Britain today are law and order (66%) race relations/immigration (44%) and drug abuse (31%).
- A third (32%) of Cumbrians have a very strong feeling of belonging to their neighbourhood or village and 83% regularly stop and talk to their neighbours.
- Nine out of 10 people (89%) in the county are satisfied with where they live.
- 47% say there is generally more racial prejudice in Britain than there was 5 years ago. 34% say it is about the same and 11% say it is less now. When asked about racial prejudice in Cumbria, 56% say it is about the same as it was 5 years ago, 23% say it is more now and 10% say it is less now.
- As for the amount of racial prejudice in five years time, 49% think there will be more in Britain and 35% think there will be more in Cumbria.
- Less than one in five people (18%) strongly believe there are too many migrants in Cumbria, 32% strongly disagree with this statement.
- 37% agree with the statement 'migrants make a positive contribution to the local economy and culture' 21% disagree.
- The minority group that Cumbrians feel least positive towards are gypsy travellers (39%) followed by refugees/asylum seekers (30%), Muslims (28%), obese people (20%) gays and lesbians (14%) and East European migrant workers (13%).
In terms of significant shifts in opinion over the last three years, the following results have been highlighted:
- Law and order is considered more of a big issue now (66% placing in the top three issues facing the country) than in 2004 (58%).
- The number of Cumbrians feeling less positive to refugees and asylum seekers is significantly lower now (30%) than in 2004 (45%).
- The number of Cumbrians feeling less positive to obese people has increased to 20% from 13% in 2004.
- The number of Cumbrians who agree it is a good thing Britain is a multicultural society seekers is lower now (40%) than in 2004 (50%).
- The number of Cumbrians who strongly believe that those settling in this country should not maintain the culture and lifestyle they had at home is higher now (50%) than in 2004 (41%).
Cllr Elizabeth Mallinson, Cabinet member responsible for equality and diversity, said:
"This survey is a major piece of work and the first question it raises is 'Are Cumbrians racist?'. The evidence suggests that, no, Cumbria is no more prejudiced than other parts of the country. The findings show that people in this county are becoming more tolerant, and I am confident this will further improve when we conduct the next survey in three years time. Nevertheless the Attitudes survey does present us with some core areas to focus on in terms of building bridges, educating people and increasing tolerance. We want to bring home the message that everyone should be proud to live in Cumbria."
Joel Rasbash, Cumbria County Council's equality officer, said:
"Many of the attitudes in this survey are a reflection of national media coverage. Three years ago, asylum seekers were the big national topic of debate. Today we hear discussions on whether people arriving in this country should make more effort to learn English, whether they should mix more, and whether Muslim women should wear burkhas. The higher the profile of these issues, the more likely you are to see significant shifts in attitudes," said Cllr Mallinson.
Sergeant Gary Lawrie, from Cumbria Constabulary's Diversity Unit, said:
"The results of this survey are encouraging, but we must not become complacent. The officers and staff in our Local Policing Teams across Cumbria put a lot of work into identifying minority communities, and engaging with them to ensure that we provide them with an effective policing service. For example, we have close links with Gay Cumbria, the Cumbria Disability Network and with AWAZ - the voice of black minority ethnic groups throughout the county. These relationships help us to understand the communities they represent, and the issues they face. Our ultimate aim is to ensure that everyone in Cumbria feels safe, satisfied and reassured."
The county council and its partners will be using the findings to encourage people from different backgrounds to work more closely together and also to raise awareness about different cultures. This will form the community cohesion strategy that will be delivered by the county's main public bodies. The focus for change will be on shifting attitudes towards gypsy travellers, Muslims, gays and lesbians and Eastern European migrant workers.
Cumbria County Council is involved in a range of initiatives to promote equality and diversity in the county. Recent examples include a migrant worker's welcome book, a new electronic database of the disabled access suitability of the county's meeting venues, and a fire safety day initiative aimed at Polish people. For more information on work in this area visit www.cumbria.gov.uk/diversity
Notes
The Cabinet paper can be viewed at www.cumbria.gov.uk/councilmeetings/committees/cabinet
ENDS
Media enquiries to Gareth Cosslett, News Manager on 01228 606332
Click here to view the full 2007 Attitudes survey and a comparison between the 2004 and 2007 surveys