Are the Armed Forces understood
and supported by the public?
BRITISH SOCIAL ATTITUDES
TOWARDS THE MILITARY AND
CONTEMPORARY CONFLICT
British Social Attitudes Survey
2011 BSA Survey
 3,311 responded

Response rate = 54%
 Data collection June to Sept 2011
 bsa-29.natcen.ac.uk
Public opinion of Iraq and Afghanistan
Success of the missions
27%
30%
Perceived purposes of Iraq
Ensure Western
oil supplies
26%
Make Iraq a
stable country
10%
Protect UK from
terrorism
supported by
Saddam
15%
Other
11%
Help US & NATO
allies
12%
Make ME more
stable
8%
Prevent Iraq
acquiring WoMD
18%
Perceived purposes of Afghanistan
Other
6%
Help US & NATO
allies
13%
Protect the UK
from terrorism
30%
Gain access to oil
& mineral
resources
14%
Make Afghanistan
a successful
democracy
9%
Make
Afghanistan a
stable country
28%
British troops out now?
Options for withdrawal from Afghanistan
%
As soon as possible, without conditions
35
As soon as the Afghan government can protect its territory
AND prevent it from being used as a base for terrorism
34
As soon as the government in Afghanistan can protect its
territory
19
As soon as Afghanistan has become a successful democracy/
AND has a successful economy
5
At a fixed future date, without conditions
4
Public opinion of the Armed Forces
Role of the media
Heroes or victims?
Per cent % AF/ES more likely
100
80
60
77
58
59
Current
personnel
57
51
46
40
24
15
20
0
Be
respected
Mental illness
Suicidal
tendencies
Domestic
violence
Former
members
Veteran charities
 Almost 2/3 knew of veteran charity or organisation
 Two largest charities were the most well-known
 Royal British Legion & poppy charities
 Help for Heroes
 More than 75% had bought a Poppy
Government support for veterans
100
Per cent % Yes
80
75
71
60
40
29
31
20
0
physical illness/
injury
mental illness/
injury
currently
receive
better health
& welfare
provision
should get
priority
health &
welfare
provision
Who is a veteran?
Definitions
%
Left Service to retire
37
Deployed on operations (not necessarily overseas)
21
Deployed overseas in a combat mission
18
Unsure
9
Left Service after four years
9
Completed basic training
3
Deployed overseas
3
Completed a minimum of one day’s service
2
The UK civil-military gap
100
Per cent % Yes
80
69
Public
60
45
40
33
Armed
Forces
31
20
20
2
0
Public support
mission
Military support
returning personnel
Reported
hostility
Future role of the UK Armed Forces
%
Defending the UK against threats from other states
28
Assisting police & security forces in anti-terror operations
in the UK (incl. crime, terrorism and cyber security)
24
Supporting NATO allies, taking part in UN missions
17
Humanitarian aid & disaster relief (overseas or UK)
14
Missions against terrorists abroad
9
Protecting citizens of overseas countries who are engaged in
protest or dissent from attacks by their government/rulers/
removing dictators
8
Ceremonial and public duties
1
Summary
 Public support UK Armed Forces but not missions
 Public believe military service to have an impact on
mental health outcomes
 Public support priority government health & welfare
services for veterans
 Differences between public and military opinions
may have implications for civil-military relations
 Reluctance of public to support UK military action
may be legacy of the Iraq and Afghanistan missions
Further information
Website: www.kcl.ac.uk/kcmhr
Email: kcmhr@kcl.ac.uk
Twitter: @kcmhr