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Date : 18th July 2002
THE level of residents' satisfaction with living in the Isle of Man matches that of the highest scoring county in England, according to MORI, the polling and opinion research company.
Results of MORI's Isle of Man Quality of Life survey - published today, Wednesday, July 17, 2002 - show over nine in ten residents (93%) satisfied with the Isle of Man as a place to live. This is equal, in MORI's experience, to Devon, the most satisfied English county, and higher than in Jersey (82%) and Guernsey (84%).
The survey, commissioned by the Social Issues Committee of the Council of Ministers, finds beautiful countryside, suitability for family life and a safe environment amongst aspects that people like best about Island life.
According to MORI, 70% of residents are satisfied with the way the Government runs the Island (compared with 33% of British adults in May 2002). Since a similar benchmark study carried out in 1990 there have been significant improvements with a number of aspects of life including "employment opportunities", "employment training", "leisure and spare time facilities", "facilities for arts and entertainment" and "pleasant townscape and architecture". Also, the survey finds that many people feel better off.
However, the cost of travel to and from the Isle of Man remains the most quoted drawback of Island life. And two new key concerns have emerged since 1990 - the high cost of housing and drug and alcohol abuse.
MORI partner Caroline Callahan commented:
'There is a great deal for the Government of the Isle of Man to be pleased about in the findings from the 2002 Quality of Life survey. Satisfaction ratings have improved on many counts since the 1990 survey. But some issues of increasing concern to residents have also emerged.'
Chief Minister Richard Corkill MHK said: 'Promoting quality of life is absolutely central to Government policy and it is reassuring to see indications that people are generally satisfied with living on the Island.
'However, the survey does confirm public concerns about such areas as housing and drugs and alcohol abuse. Tackling these issues is a priority for Government and in both areas we have well established cross-departmental initiatives addressing the problems. Much work has already been done but much remains to be done.'
NOTE
MORI carried out 804 face-to-face in-home interviews with a representative sample of adults aged 16 years and over between 18th March and 24th May 2002. Interviewing took place across 69 sampling points geographically spread around the Isle of Man.