Key information
Decision type: Assistant Director
Reference code: ADD2010
Date signed:
Executive summary
The Greater London Authority (GLA) wishes to undertake research to understand the views of the London population in relation to the issue of devolution of powers to the GLA, in order to ensure that work is informed by public opinion, and that our communications with Londoners is successfully delivered on this topic.
Decision
That the Assistant Director of Intelligence approves GLA expenditure of £20,000 for quantitative and qualitative research services to inform the GLA of the views of the London population in relation to the issue of further devolution of powers to the GLA.
Part 1: Non-confidential facts and advice
1.1 Post referendum the Mayor has called for more autonomy for the capital, including the devolution of fiscal responsibility, and more control over some policy issues such as business and skills.
1.2 The GLA wishes to commission TNS Research Ltd from the Transport for London (TfL) Market Research Framework to undertake quantitative research which provides insight as to the views of the London population in relation to the issue of further devolution of powers to the GLA; and to commission 2CV Ltd from the TfL Market Research Framework to undertake qualitative research which identifies citizen preferences for communications from the Mayor to ensure that its communications with Londoners on this issue is successfully delivered.
Objective
2.1 Via the TfL Market Research Framework, to commission TNS Research Ltd to deliver an online survey of 1,000 adult Londoners, representative of the London population; and via the TfL Market Research Framework, to commission 2CV Ltd to deliver street intercepts / town hall tests in two London locations.
Outcomes
2.2 The insight will be used to inform the GLA of the public position in relation to devolution; and to ensure that communications on this issue are successfully delivered to a broad London population.
3.1 The quantitative research will be representative of the London population, including by characteristics such as gender, age and ethnicity. This allows the GLA to make comparisons between these groups and to understand where needs differ, and to tailor policy to those needs as appropriate.
3.2 The qualitative research will include participation from a cross section of the London population in an outer and an inner London borough. This will allow the GLA to develop a tailored communication approach.
a) The risks of opinion research are generally rooted in methodological decisions, in terms of ensuring that the participants broadly reflect the London population. The Opinion Research Team have put forward a research programme that ensures the quantitative and qualitative research reflects the London population.
b) Under the GLA Act 1999 the Mayor is committed to consulting in relation to the exercise of his general power. Consultation helps the GLA Group make better informed decisions and makes us more accountable to the public. Insight from this research will directly contribute towards effective consultation and communication activity, which is critical to effective policy making, and to which the GLA is committed.
c) This research will engage a broad range of Londoners, increasing the GLA’s awareness of public perception, and in determining how the GLA can best communicate our actions.
5.1 The anticipated cost of the quantitative work via TNS Research Ltd is £10,000. The anticipated cost of the qualitative work via 2CV Limited is £10,000.
5.2 The anticipated total cost of the research project is £20,000, and will be funded from the Opinion Research budget code of GG.0220.006.001.
Signed decision document
ADD2010 Devolution Research (signed) PDF