December 2011: Conducted 2-8 December 2011, this survey updates the GB data on public attitudes following the chain of incidents at the Fukushima-Daiichi plant in Japan after the earthquake and tsunami of 11 March 2011

1. Nuclear Update December 2011
Update on GB attitudes to nuclear energy

2. Methodology
 Continues the methodology of our previous series of
surveys for the NIA: face-to-face interviews with a
representative sample of the GB population aged 16+. This
uses a cut-down version of the original questionnaire.
 This updates the data on public attitudes following the chain
of incidents at the Fukushima-Daiichi plant in Japan after
the earthquake and tsunami of 11 March 2011
 Conducted via Ipsos MORI Omnibus (face-to-face, in-home)
among a representative sample of 993 adults in 144
sampling points across Great Britain.
 Data weighted to reflect the population of Great Britain
 Fieldwork: 2-8 December 2011
2

3. Favourability towards the industry recovers
Q How favourable or unfavourable is your opinion or impression of the
nuclear energy industry?
% Very/ mainly % Very/ mainly
favourable unfavourable
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
(June)
2011 +12 -5
(Dec)
Base: All adults aged 16+ (1000-2000) 3

4. Trend shows favourable opinion back to highest ever,
though unfavourable opinion still above baseline
Q How favourable or unfavourable are your overall opinions or impressions of
the nuclear industry/nuclear energy?
Favourable Unfavourable
40% 40%
28%
24%
17% 19%
Base: All adults aged 16+ (1,000 – 2,000) 4

5. Bounceback a little stronger among men. Women now
favourable on balance again
Q How favourable or unfavourable is your opinion or impression of the
nuclear energy industry?
% Very/ mainly % Very/ mainly
Change Change favourable unfavourable Change Change
since since since since
Nov 2010 June 2011 Nov 2010 June 2011
All 0 +12 +2 -5
Men -1 +13 +3 0
Women +1 +10 +2 -10
Base: All men (506), all women (487) Dec 2011 5

6. Support for replacement newbuild reaches a new
high point of 50%
Q To what extent would you support or oppose the building of new nuclear
power stations in Britain TO REPLACE those that are being phased out
over the next few years? This would ensure the same proportion of nuclear
energy is retained ie 18%.
Support Oppose 50%
47%
36%
28%
20%
19%
* Wording in 2001 was “To what extent would you support or oppose
Base: All respondents c1,000-2,000
the building of new nuclear power stations in Britain?” 6

7. Depth of dip caused by Fukushima is clear
Fukushima
+29 +30
+9 +8
+5
2011
June Dec
-10
Base: All GB adults aged 16+ (c1,000/2,000) 7

8. All demographic groups now positive on balance.
Support linked to age, sex and social grade
Q To what extent would you support or oppose the building of new nuclear
power stations in Britain TO REPLACE those that are being phased out over
the next few years? This would ensure the same proportion of nuclear
energy is retained (ie 18%).
December 2011
Support Neutral/Don’t know Oppose
Base: All general public (993) December 2011 8

9. Support among men has recovered and advanced a
little compared to 2010
Q To what extent would you support or oppose the building of new nuclear
power stations in Britain TO REPLACE those that are being phased out
over the next few years? This would ensure the same proportion of nuclear
energy is retained. (ie 18%).
Men support Men oppose 61% 62%
50%
21%
13% 16%
Base: All men (c 1,000) 9

10. …but support among women sees even
greater improvement year-on-year
Q To what extent would you support or oppose the building of new nuclear
power stations in Britain TO REPLACE those that are being phased out over
the next few years? This would ensure the same proportion of nuclear
energy is retained.(ie 18%).
Men support Women support Men oppose Women oppose
62%
60%
50%
39%
40% 34% 35%
30% 24%
20% 23% 23%
16%
10%
0%
Base: All respondents c2,000 (c1,000 men, 1,000 Women) 10

11. For more information please contact:
Robert Knight +44 (0)20 7347 3082
robert.knight@ipsos-mori.com