Open consultation

Evidence gathering consultation for the DCMS Participation Survey and Community Life Survey

Published 29 February 2024

Introduction

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is currently undertaking a strategic review of the survey needs of the department covering the Participation Survey and Community Life Survey.

The Participation Survey enters its 4th year in April 2024 and is a robust, nationally representative survey of adults (16+) in England. The findings contribute to the evidence base for a number of policy areas, enable the monitoring of the accessibility of DCMS sectors, and provide valuable information on engagement at a greater geographical breakdown than previously available. This survey replaced the Taking Part survey, which ended in March 2020 and although it has similar content, data comparisons cannot be made directly. 

The Community Life Survey has run for over 12 years and is a robust, nationally representative survey of adults (16+) in England. The findings provide a key evidence source for understanding more about community engagement, volunteering and social cohesion. It is also one of the main sources of data for cross-government work on loneliness.

In 2023/24, both surveys have been boosted to local authority (LA) level by our partners (Arts Council England for the Participation Survey and Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities for the Community Life Survey). This has enabled us to have much more granular data, as well as given us the opportunity to ask new questions to feed into ACE’s Lets Create strategy and the Levelling Up missions that DLUHC are leading on.

We periodically review our survey products to ensure they are still meeting user requirements. We believe it is a particularly good time to consider the arrangements for the two surveys following the Machinery of Government change in February 2023, Local Authority level boosts to both surveys this year, and some overlapping interests in both surveys.

We are considering options for the structure of our social surveys in the future, ensuring that meeting user needs and achieving value for money remains at the forefront of any survey design. We invite views from all interested stakeholders in your current use of the Participation Survey and Community Life Survey and your priorities for future design.

Any changes would not impact the 2023/24 or 2024/25 Participation Survey or Community Life Survey. A summary of responses received from this consultation will be communicated in the published response to this consultation within 12 weeks of the consultation closing.

This consultation covers 5 key sections:

1. Section 1: This section of questions looks to understand more about you as a potential user of the Participation Survey or Community Life Survey.

2. Section 2: This section of questions aims to understand if you are a current or past user of the Participation Survey or Community Life Survey, and how you have engaged with them. It also asks users  to consider your future plans for using the Participation Survey or Community Life Survey.

3. Section 3: This section of questions looks to understand user needs and preferences and which factors are most important to them.

4. Section 4: This section of questions looks to explore potential changes to the current digital topic areas of the Participation Survey by DSIT, and how making such changes may impact you. 

5. Section 5: This section of questions aims to gain an understanding of whether you have current needs for UK survey data and how/if the current offer meets these needs. Please note that we are not proposing extending the Participation Survey or Community Life Survey to UK-wide at this stage.

Please note that any open text will be limited to 700 characters and the final question for further comments will have an unlimited word limit.

This survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete.

The majority of questions are optional unless stated otherwise. However, the more information you are able to provide, the more evidence we can base any decision making on. 

Section 1

This section of questions looks to understand more about you as a potential user of the Participation Survey or Community Life Survey.

Q1 Are you responding as an individual or on behalf of an organisation?
Select one option (Mandatory response)

• Individual  
• Organisation  

Q2 Which of the following best describes your organisation? (Optional response)

• UK government department  
• Devolved Administration  
• DCMS Arms Length Body / Executive Agency  
• Sector or Industry body  
• Academic body or institution  
• Private company  
• Charity or Nonprofit / not-for-profit organisation  
• Other (please state)  [Free Text]

Q3 What is the name of the organisation you are replying on behalf of? (Optional response)

[Free Text]

Q4 Are you aged 16 or over? (Mandatory response)

• No, I am 15 years or younger  
• Yes, I am 16 years or over  

If Under 16 - Unfortunately, as you are under 16, you cannot take part in this survey as we do not have consent from your parent(s)/guardian(s).

Q5 Which of the following options describe the sector(s) you are responding on behalf of?
Select all that apply (Optional response)

• Archives  
• Arts  
• Ceremonials  
• Civil Society  
• Community engagement  
• Creative Industries   
• Devolution/Union 
• Digital engagement in cultural and sporting sectors  
• Digital sector  
• Gambling/Lotteries  
• Heritage  
• Libraries   
• Media   
• Museums and cultural property   
• Sport  
• Tourism  
• Volunteering  
• Wellbeing  
• Other - please specify: [Free Text]

Section 2

The next section of questions aim to understand if you are a current or past user of the Participation Survey or Community Life Survey, and how you have engaged with them. It also explores whether you are likely to use either survey in the future.

Q6 Have you used the Participation Survey or Community Life Survey outputs or data before? 
Select one option for each survey (Mandatory response)

A. Participation Survey

B. Community Life Survey

1. Yes - within the last 12 months
2. Yes - but not within the last months
3. No
4. Not sure

Q7a Which of the following Participation Survey outputs or data do you or your organisation make use of?
Select all that apply (Optional response)

• Annual reports on GOV.UK  
• Annual data tables on GOV.UK  
• Quarterly data tables on GOV.UK  
• Technical reports published on GOV.UK  
• Ad-hoc data tables on GOV.UK (ie data that has been specifically requested by yourself or another user)  
• Datasets archived with the UK Data Service 
• Other (please specify): [Free Text]
• No direct use of Participation Survey survey outputs

Q7b Which of the following sections within the Participation Survey outputs and data do you or your organisation particularly make use of?
Select all that apply (Optional response)

• Arts   
• Libraries   
• Heritage  
• Museums and Galleries  
• Domestic Tourism  
• Use of the internet and smart devices  
• 5G (fifth generation)  
• Digital or Online skills training  
• Data Security  
• Digital Identity and Methods of identification  
• Use of data, ie. how businesses, organisations and government use personal data  
• Data sharing and viewing content online, i.e. respondents habits for sharing data online  
• Major events  
• Live sports  
• Don’t know  

Q8a Which of the following Community Life Survey outputs or data do you or your organisation make use of? (Optional response) Select all that apply

• Published reports on GOV.UK  
• Published data tables on GOV.UK  
• Technical reports published on GOV.UK  
• Data published on GOV.UK that has been specifically requested (Ad hoc publication)  
• Datasets archived with the UK Data Service
• Other (please specify): [Free Text]
• No direct use of Community Life Survey survey outputs

Q8b Which of the following sections within the Community Life Survey outputs and data do you or your organisation particularly make use of?
Select all that apply (Optional response)

• Identity and social networks   
• Wellbeing and loneliness  
• Neighbourhood and community  
• Engagement and social action   
• Volunteering and charitable giving  
• Don’t know  

Q9a On average, how often within the past year did you or your organisation use the Participation Survey outputs or data? (Optional response) For instance if you downloaded the Participation Survey data once, but then used it in a monthly briefing pack, you would select at least monthly below. 

• Most weeks  
• At least monthly   
• A few times a year  
• Once a year   
• Less than once a year  
• Don’t know  

Q9b On average, how often within the past year did you or your organisation use the Community Life Survey outputs or data? (Optional response) For instance if you downloaded the Community Life Survey data once, but then used it in a monthly briefing pack, you would select at least monthly below. 

• Most weeks  
• At least monthly   
• A few times a year  
• Once a year   
• Less than once a year  
• Don’t know  

Q10a At what geographical level have you or your organisation usually used the Participation Survey outputs or data at? (Optional response)

For information:

ITL2: 33 counties and groups of counties in England, for example, East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire, or Outer London
ITL1: 9 regions in England, for example, North West England, or London

• ITL2   
• ITL1   
• England/National level  
• Don’t know  
• Not used  

Q10b At what geographical level have you or your organisation usually used the Community Life Survey outputs or data at? (Optional response)

For information:

ITL1: 9 regions in England, for example, North West England, or London

• ITL1   
• England/National level  
• Don’t know  
• Not used  

Q11 Thinking about the next few years, do you plan to use the Participation Survey or Community Life Survey more or less than you or your organisation do currently?
Select one option for each survey (Optional response)

A. Participation Survey

B. Community Life Survey

1. More in the future
2. The same as now
3. Less in the future
4. Don’t know
5. Don’t plan to use it

Q12a At what geographical level do you or your organisation plan to use the Participation Survey outputs or data at? (Optional response)

For information:
Local Authority (LA): 317 LA districts in England, for example, Kent County Council or London Borough of Camden
ITL2: 33 counties and groups of counties in England, for example, East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire, or Outer London
ITL1: 9 regions in England for example, North West England, or London

• Local Authority level  
• ITL2 
• ITL1 
• England/National level 
• Don’t know  
• Don’t plan to use  

Q12b At what geographical level do you plan to use the Community Life Survey outputs or data at? (Optional response)

For information:
Local Authority (LA): 317 LA districts in England, for example, Kent County Council or London Borough of Camden
ITL2: 33 counties and groups of counties in England, for example, East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire, or Outer London
ITL1: 9 regions in England for example, North West England, or London

• Local Authority level   
• ITL2   
• ITL1   
• England/National level  
• Don’t know  
• Don’t plan to use  

Q13a Questions on the following topics of interest were added to the 2023/24 Participation Survey (please see below). When the data becomes available, how likely are you or your organisation to use the data from these new questions?  (Optional response)

• Pride in Place, which includes questions on respondents’ sense of belonging and pride of their local area, the role culture plays in choosing where to live, and the current arts and culture scene in their local area.
• Social prescribing, which includes questions on the respondent’s experience with social prescribing, and the types of activities they were referred to.
• Environment, which includes questions on mode of transport taken while travelling to an arts and cultural event, distance travelled, and reason(s) for transportation choice.
• Further questions on arts and culture engagement, which includes questions on the types of classes and clubs respondents have taken part in, the frequency and reason(s) for their involvement, the impact/benefits of participating, and for non-participants, the reason for not participating. 

A. Pride in Place 

B. Social Prescribing 

C. Environment  

D. Further questions on arts and culture engagement 

1. Yes - definitely 
2. Yes - possibly 
3. No - definitely not
4. Don’t know 

Q13b Questions on the following topic of interest were added to the 2023/24 Community Life Survey (please see below). When the data becomes available, how likely are you or your organisation to use the data from these new questions? (Optional response)

Pride in Place and Life Chances, which includes questions on

• The availability and use of local facilities, including shops and retailers, and satisfaction with these facilities.
• Respondents’ sense of pride in their local area, respondents satisfaction with green and natural spaces in their local area, and the current opportunities to take part in cultural and sporting activities in their local area.
• Respondents local area as a place for children, and on respondents’ working situation respondents experiences of anti-social behaviour in their local area.

A. Pride in Place and Life Chances

1. Yes - definitely 
2. Yes - possibly 
3. No - definitely not
4. Don’t know 

Q14 Do you or your organisation currently use any of the Participation Survey or Community Life Survey data by ACORN (geodemographic segmentation of residential neighbourhoods) data? (Optional response)

A. Participation Survey

B. Community Life Survey

1. Yes 
2. No
3. Don’t know

Q14a What would be the impact for you or your organisation if we did not include ACORN data in the published Participation Survey data tables, but still had data on other demographics, for example Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD)? (Optional response)

For information:
ACORN is geo-demographic segmentation of residential neighbourhoods in the UK
Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) is a geographical measure which classifies the relative deprivation of an area.

[Free Text]

Q14b What would be the impact for you or your organisation if we did not include ACORN data in the published Community Life Survey data tables, but still had data on other demographics, for example Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD)? (Optional response)

For information:
ACORN is geo-demographic segmentation of residential neighbourhoods in the UK
Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) is a geographical measure which classifies the relative deprivation of an area.

[Free Text]

Section 3

DCMS are reviewing the current arrangements for the Participation Survey and Community Life Survey to determine whether they continue to effectively and efficiently meet ongoing evidence needs.

We would like to understand your needs in relation to the following 5 factors:

1. Frequency - whether questions are asked every year or less often
2. Geography - whether questions are available at Local Authority level or with less geographic granularity 
3. Question coverage - whether the survey coverage and content meets user needs
4. Comparability with time series - whether we can reliably compare with past survey estimates.
5. Cross-referencing between the Participation Survey and Community Life Survey - whether we are able to do analysis involving questions currently covered in different surveys

We would also like to understand which factors are most important to you or your organisation. The next set of questions look to explore this further.

Frequency

We currently provide data for both the Community Life Survey and the Participation Survey every year.

Q15 Assuming the surveys were otherwise meeting your needs, to what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? (Optional response)

a. My or my organisation’s needs would be met if the Participation Survey was only collected and published every 3 years.

• Strongly agree 
• Agree 
• Neither agree or disagree 
• Disagree 
• Strongly disagree 
• Don’t know

b. My or my organisation’s needs would be met if the Community Life Survey was collected and published every 3 years.

• Strongly agree 
• Agree 
• Neither agree or disagree 
• Disagree 
• Strongly disagree 
• Don’t know

c. My or my organisation’s needs would be met if the Participation Survey was collected and published  every 2 years.

• Strongly agree 
• Agree 
• Neither agree or disagree 
• Disagree 
• Strongly disagree 
• Don’t know

d. My or my organisation’s needs would be met if the Community Life Survey was collected and published every 2 years.

• Strongly agree 
• Agree 
• Neither agree or disagree 
• Disagree 
• Strongly disagree 
• Don’t know

e. My or my organisation’s needs would be met if some questions from the Participation Survey were collected and published every 2 or 3 years, with headline data collected and published every year.

• Strongly agree 
• Agree 
• Neither agree or disagree 
• Disagree 
• Strongly disagree 
• Don’t know

f. My or my organisation’s  needs would be met if some questions from the Community Life Survey were collected and published every 2 or 3 years, with headline data collected and published every year.

• Strongly agree 
• Agree 
• Neither agree or disagree 
• Disagree 
• Strongly disagree 
• Don’t know

g. Please describe any benefits to you or your organisation of more frequent data and any impacts of less frequent data. Please be as specific as you can, including which survey the benefits and impacts refer to. (Optional response)

[Free text]

Geography and granularity

We have so far published data up to ITL2 (county) level for the Participation Survey and data up to ITL1 (region) level for the Community Life Survey. In the 2023/24 publications for both surveys, we plan to provide Local Authority (LA) level data breakdowns (by partnering with Arts Council England for the Participation Survey and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities for the Community Life Survey).

For information:
Local Authority (LA): 317 LA districts in England, for example, Kent County Council or London Borough of Camden
ITL2: 33 counties and groups of counties in England, for example, East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire, or Outer London
ITL1: 9 regions in England for example, North West England, or London

When talking about the granularity of the data, we mention the most granular geography. This means data available at LA level would also be available at ITL2 and ITL1 level, and data at ITL2 level would also be available at ITL1 level.

Q16. Assuming the surveys were otherwise meeting your needs, to what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? (Optional response)

a. My or my organisation’s needs would be met if the Participation Survey data was available at LA level. 

• Strongly agree 
• Agree 
• Neither agree or disagree 
• Disagree 
• Strongly disagree 
• Don’t know

b. My or my organisation’s needs would be met if the Participation Survey data was available at ITL2 level (and not at LA level).

• Strongly agree 
• Agree 
• Neither agree or disagree 
• Disagree 
• Strongly disagree 
• Don’t know

c. My or my organisation’s needs would be met if the Participation Survey data was available at ITL1 level (and not at LA or ITL2 level).

• Strongly agree 
• Agree 
• Neither agree or disagree 
• Disagree 
• Strongly disagree 
• Don’t know

d. My or my organisation’s needs would be met if the Participation Survey data was available at national level (and not at LA, ITL2 or ITL1 level).

• Strongly agree 
• Agree 
• Neither agree or disagree 
• Disagree 
• Strongly disagree 
• Don’t know

e. My or my organisation’s needs would be met if the Community Life Survey data was available at LA level. 

• Strongly agree 
• Agree 
• Neither agree or disagree 
• Disagree 
• Strongly disagree 
• Don’t know

f. My or my organisation’s needs would be met if the Community Life Survey data was available at ITL2 level (and not at LA level).

• Strongly agree 
• Agree 
• Neither agree or disagree 
• Disagree 
• Strongly disagree 
• Don’t know

g. My or my organisation’s needs would be met if the Community Life Survey data was available at ITL1 level (and not at LA or ITL2 level).

• Strongly agree 
• Agree 
• Neither agree or disagree 
• Disagree 
• Strongly disagree 
• Don’t know

h. My or my organisation’s needs would be met if the Community Life Survey data was available at national level (and not at LA, ITL2 or ITL1 level).

• Strongly agree 
• Agree 
• Neither agree or disagree 
• Disagree 
• Strongly disagree 
• Don’t know

i. My or my organisation’s needs would be met if headline Participation Survey or Community Life Survey data were available at LA level with more detailed questions available at regional (ITL1) level? 

For information:

 Local Authority (LA): 317 LA districts in England, for example, Kent County Council or London Borough of Camden
ITL1: 9 regions in England for example, North West England, or London

Examples of headline data:
Participation Survey: Percentage of people who visited a museum or gallery  Community Life Survey: Percentage of people who formally volunteered

Examples of follow-up / more detailed questions:
Participation Survey: Frequency of engagement
Community Life Survey: Sector volunteered in

A. Participation Survey

B. Community Life Survey

1. Strongly agree 
2. Agree 
3. Neither agree or disagree 
4. Disagree 
5. Strongly disagree 
6. Don’t know
7. I do not use or plan to use this survey

Q16j Please describe any benefits to you or your organisation if more geographical granular data was available and any impacts of if less granular data became available. Please be as specific as you can, including which survey benefits and impacts refer to. (Optional response)

[Free text]

Question coverage

Q17a Assuming the surveys were otherwise meeting your needs, to what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? (Optional response)

a. My or my organisation’s needs would be met if the questionnaire content remained similar to the current survey

A. Participation Survey

B. Community Life Survey

1. Strongly agree 
2. Agree 
3. Neither agree or disagree 
4. Disagree 
5. Strongly disagree 
6. Don’t know
7. I do not use or plan to use this survey

Q17b Which other topic areas would better meet your needs? (Optional response)

Please be as specific as you can, including which survey you are referring to.

[Free text]

Q18 Are there any specific questions in the Participation Survey or Community Life Survey that are essential for you or your organisation, and if removed, merged or offered with less granularity or frequency, would cause significant disruption to you or your organisation? Please name those questions that you rely on heavily and any question specific requirements. (Optional response)

Participation Survey questions

Community Life Survey questions (Go to Community Life Survey: technical report appendices. Appendices A and B)

[Free Text]

Comparability with time series

The Participation Survey and Community Life Surveys currently run every year, allowing data comparison with previous years on a consistent basis.

Q19a Assuming the Participation Survey or Community Life Survey was otherwise meeting all of your needs, to what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? (Optional response)

It is essential to me or my organisation  that the time series is not interrupted (i.e. new data was comparable with older, previous year’s data).

A. Participation Survey

B. Community Life Survey

1. Strongly agree 
2. Agree 
3. Neither agree or disagree 
4. Disagree 
5. Strongly disagree 
6. Don’t know
7. I do not use or plan to use this survey

Q19b Please describe any benefits to you or your organisation of being able to compare data over time and any impact if this was not possible. Please be as specific as you can, including which survey benefits and impacts refer to.  (Optional response)

Comparability between the Participation Survey and Community Life Survey

The Participation Survey and Community Life Survey are currently two separate surveys. The Participation Survey focuses on adult engagement in the arts and cultural sectors, major events, sport, and the digital sectors. The Community Life Survey focuses on understanding community engagement, volunteering and social cohesion in adults in England.

Q20a Assuming the Participation Survey or Community Life Survey was otherwise meeting all of your needs, to what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? (Optional response)

My or my organisation’s needs would be better met if I/we could cross-reference data currently in one survey with data in the other. 

• Strongly agree 
• Agree 
• Neither agree or disagree 
• Disagree 
• Strongly disagree 
• Don’t know
• I do not use or plan to use this survey

Q20b Please describe any benefits to you or your organisation of being able to cross-reference  and any impacts of not being able to link these together. Please be as specific as you can. (Optional response)

[Free Text]

Q21a If the Participation Survey were to merge with the Community Life Survey, what do you think would be the impact for you or your organisation? (Optional response)

• Strong beneficial
• Slightly beneficial
• No impact
• Slightly detrimental
• Strongly detrimental
• Don’t know

Q21b Do you have any other comments on the potential of combining these two surveys?  (Optional response)

[Free Text] 

We have asked for your needs in relation to frequency, geography, question coverage, comparability with past time series, and ability to cross reference between surveys. We will almost certainly need to prioritise between these factors.

Q22a How would you prioritise the factors for the Participation Survey for you or your organisation, where 1 is the most important and 5 is the least important from this list? (Optional response)

• Questions asked every year
• Questions available at Local Authority level
• Survey coverage and content meeting your needs 
• Being able to compare the current year’s data with previous years’ data for the Participation Survey
• Being able to compare and analyse data from questions in the Participation Survey and the Community Life Survey

Q22b Please explain the reasons for your ranking. (Optional response)

[Free text]

Q22c How would you prioritise the factors for the Community Life Survey for you or your organisation, where 1 is the most important and 5 is the least important from this list? (Optional response)

• Questions asked every year
• Questions available at Local Authority level
• Survey coverage and content meeting your needs 
• Being able to compare the current year’s data with previous years’ data for the Community Life Survey.
• Being able to compare and analyse data from questions in the Community Life Survey and the Participation Survey.

Q22d Please explain the reasons for your ranking.

[Free text]

Section 4

DSIT are exploring changes to the current digital sections/topic areas of the Participation Survey, potentially including amending the methodology for these sections. This could include changes to questions or sampling procedure limiting historic comparisons. Any changes would not impact the 2023/24 or 2024/25 Participation Survey. The following questions seek to understand the implications of making such changes and how they might impact you.

Q23 How would a change in methodology, such as removing questions, that limits historic comparison affect your use of the Participation Survey?
Please in your answer include any questions or areas you see as particularly important to you or your organisation. (Optional response)

[Free Text]

Q24 What improvements could be made to the digital sections [Use of the internet and smart devices, 5G (fifth generation), Digital or Online skills training, Data Security, Methods of identification, Use of data, Data sharing and viewing content online] that would increase your or your organisation’s use of these statistics? (Optional response)

[Free Text]

Section 5

The Participation Survey and Community Life Survey are only asked of adults in England. Currently there is no harmonised survey or set of questions within the administrations of the UK. Data on participation in cultural sectors for the devolved administrations is available in the following:

The Scottish Household Survey includes topics on housing, neighbourhoods, economic activity, finance, internet, physical activity, local services, environment, volunteering, culture, and childcare.

The National Survey for Wales includes topics on local area, community and environment, wellbeing and finances, housing, democracy and government, population health, internet, skills and media, culture and Welsh language, sport and recreation, children and education, NHS and social care.

The Northern Ireland Continuous Household Survey includes topics on culture, arts, sport, historic environment, languages, wellbeing and equality.

For the Participation Survey, there are some topics that are similar throughout the 4 surveys such as arts attendance, arts participation, museum attendance, and heritage attendance, but there remain some differences in response options.

The next questions aim to gain an understanding of whether you have current needs for UK survey data and how/if the current offer meets these needs. Please note that we are not proposing extending the Participation Survey or Community Life Survey to UK-wide at this stage.

Q25 To what extent is it a barrier to you or your organisation that there is not a UK-wide Participation Survey or Community Life survey? Select one option for the relevant survey(s). (Optional response)

A. Participation Survey

B. Community Life Survey

1. Strong impacts 
2. Slight impacts 
3. No impact 
4. Don’t know 

Q26a Please could you explain the impacts of not having a UK-wide Participation Survey? (Optional response)

[Free Text]

Q26b Please could you explain the impacts of not having a UK-wide Community Life Survey? (Optional response)

[Free Text]

Q27 Would you like additional signposting to similar data sources for the devolved administrations for each survey? (Optional response)

A. Participation Survey

B. Community Life Survey

1. Yes
2. No
3. Don’t know 

Q28 Please outline whether you or your organisation have used or currently use the Devolved Administration Surveys, or if you would like to. What do you find or would find useful or a potential barrier for you or your organisation? (Optional response)

[Free Text]

Q29 Do you have any final comments about anything mentioned in this consultation about the Participation Survey or Community Life Survey? (Optional response)

[Free Text]

End of Survey

How to respond

Please respond to this consultation by completing the online response form below:

If you cannot access the link, please send responses to participationsurvey@dcms.gov.uk or communitylifesurvey@dcms.gov.uk in a document format like PDF or Microsoft Word.

By submitting your responses via email you are agreeing to the terms outlined in the privacy notice.

We welcome evidence from all parties with an interest in DCMS’ social surveys

The consultation will close at 11:59pm on 23 May 2024.

Privacy Notice

Who is collecting my data?

The Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) helps to drive growth, enrich lives and promote Britain abroad. We protect and promote our cultural and artistic heritage and help businesses and communities to grow by investing in innovation and highlighting Britain as a fantastic place to visit. We help to give the UK a unique advantage on the global stage, striving for economic success. This website (“Website“) is run by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (“we” and “us“, “DCMS“). DCMS is the controller for the personal information we process, unless otherwise stated.

Purposes of this privacy notice

This notice is provided to meet the obligations as set out in Articles 13 and 14 of the UK General Data Protection Regulation (“UK GDPR”) and the Data Protection Act 2018 (“the DPA”). This notice sets out how DCMS will use your personal data as part of our legal obligations with regard to data protection.

What personal data do we collect?

In this survey we will not collect any personal data. We do ask that you are aged 16 or over in order to complete the survey. The IP address associated with your location will automatically be captured by the survey platform. Although the questions don’t specifically ask for any personal information, it is possible that your responses to questions may include information through which you could be identified. All data collected is being collected and processed by DCMS to inform a strategic review of DCMS surveys and ongoing evidence needs.

How will we use your data?

We will use your data to enable us to carry out our functions as a government department. Your data will be used to inform the development of policy measures relating to the DCMS sectors.

What is the legal basis for processing my data?

DCMS’s legal basis for processing responses from this consultation is that it is necessary for the effective performance of a task carried out in the public interest, i.e. a consultation.

What will happen if I do not provide this data?

There are no questions referring to personal data and the majority of questions are optional.

Who will your data be shared with?

DCMS has commissioned a third party, Qualtrics, to collect your personal data on its behalf. This means we have asked Qualtrics to collect your information via an online survey platform, which we will review as part of the consultation process.

Information provided in response to this consultation will be shared with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) as they will become responsible for publishing statistics on the digital sector from April 2025. The raw data provided in response to this consultation may be shared with other government departments and arm’s length bodies, including the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC) and Arts Council England (ACE). The information provided may also be shared with other government departments.

The privacy notices for sharing data with DSIT, DLUHC, and ACE are available here:

DSIT Privacy Notice

DLUHC Privacy Notice

ACE Privacy Notice

The information provided may be published at an aggregated or anonymised level in the government’s consultation response, or disclosed in accordance with the access to information regimes (primarily under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004) subject to any applicable exemptions.

Please indicate if any information you provide is commercially or otherwise sensitive.

How long will my data be held for?

Your data will be kept for two years in line with DCMS retention policy.

Will my data be used for automated decision making or profiling?

We will not use your data for any automated decision making.

Will my data be transferred outside the UK and if it is how will it be protected? Your data will not be transferred outside the UK. What are my data protection rights? You have rights over your personal data under the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. The Information Commissioner’s Office is the supervisory authority for data protection legislation, and maintains a full explanation of these rights on their website DCMS will ensure that we uphold your rights when processing your personal data.

How do I complain?

The contact details for the data controller’s Data Protection Officer (DPO) are:

Data Protection Officer
The Department for Culture, Media & Sport
100 Parliament Street
London
SW1A 2BQ

Email: dpo@dcms.gov.uk

If you’re unhappy with the way we have handled your personal data and want to make a complaint, please write to the department’s Data Protection Officer using the details above.

How to contact the Information Commissioner’s Office:

If you believe that your personal data has been misused or mishandled, you may make a complaint to the Information Commissioner, who is an independent regulator. You may also contact them to seek independent advice about data protection, privacy and data sharing.

Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

Website: www.ico.org.uk

Telephone: 0303 123 1113

Email: casework@ico.org.uk

Changes to our privacy notice

We may make changes to this privacy policy. In that case, the ‘last updated’ date at the bottom of this page will also change. Any changes to this privacy policy will apply to you and your data immediately. If these changes affect how your personal data is processed, DCMS will take reasonable steps to let you know.

Last updated: February 2024