Prepared For: BBC Prepared By: Millward Brown Ulster Limited PUBLIC OPINION POLL GOVERNMENT SPENDING CUTS OCTOBER 2010

 Total sample of n=1,029 respondents  Sample is fully representative of the Northern Ireland adult (16+) population in terms of age, sex, socio-economic grouping, area and religion  All fieldwork conducted face-to-face by members of the Millward Brown Ulster interviewing panel  Fieldwork was conducted between 23 rd September to 4 th October 2010  All research complies fully with the Market Research Society ethical Code of Conduct, and to MRQSA ISO accreditation Background and methodology

Do you agree or disagree that public spending cuts are necessary to deal with the current economic situation? (Base: All adults n=1,029, chart excludes 7% don’t know) Agreement regarding the necessity for spending cuts

Strongly agree Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree Strongly disagree Don’t know All Do you agree or disagree that public spending cuts are necessary to deal with the current economic situation? (Base: All adults n=1,029) Agreement regarding the necessity for spending cuts by demographics ABC1C2DEProtestantCatholic AGESOCIO-ECONOMIC GROUPRELIGION 7% 15% 8% 7% 5% 4% 6% 6% 10% 5% 10%

As a result of the proposed government spending cuts, how concerned or otherwise are you that you, or someone in your household, could become unemployed? (Base: All economically active n=780, chart excludes 4% don’t know) Concerns for potential unemployment within household

Very concerned Fairly concerned Not particularly concerned Not at all concerned Don’t know All As a result of the proposed government spending cuts, how concerned or otherwise are you that you, or someone in your household, could become unemployed? (Base: All economically active n=780) ABC1C2DEProtestantCatholic AGE SOCIO-ECONOMIC GROUP RELIGION Concerns for potential unemployment within household by demographics MaleFemale 4% 4% 3% 10% 3% 2% - 3% 4% 4% 3% 3% 3% GENDER

Would you be prepared to pay water charges from next year, to help protect front line services from bigger cuts? (Base: All adults n=1,029) Willingness to pay water charges to help protect front line services

Yes No Don’t know All Would you be prepared to pay water charges from next year, to help protect front line services from bigger cuts? (Base: All adults n=1,029) ABC1C2DEProtestantCatholic AGESOCIO-ECONOMIC GROUP RELIGION MaleFemale Willingness to pay water charges to help protect front line services by demographics Gtr. Belfast Rest of NI GENDERAREA 12% 9% 15% 19% 12% 11% 11% 9% 13% 11% 12% 12% 12% 11% 13%

If one government department could be protected from spending cuts in Northern Ireland, which, if any, of the following do you think it should be? (Base: All adults n=1,029) Government departments that should be protected from spending cuts

If one government department could be protected from spending cuts in Northern Ireland, which, if any, of the following do you think it should be? (Base: All adults n=1,029) Government departments that should be protected from spending cuts by demographics

When considering public expenditure cuts, do you expect that members of the Stormont Executive will make decisions in the interests of their parties or in the interests of NI as a whole? (Base All adults n=1,029) How will members of the Stormont Executive make decisions on spending cuts

In the interests of Northern Ireland as a whole In the interests of their parties Don’t know All When considering public expenditure cuts, do you expect that members of the Stormont Executive will make decisions in the interests of their parties or in the interests of NI as a whole? (Base : All adults n=1,029) ProtestantCatholic AGERELIGION MaleFemale GENDER How will members of the Stormont Executive make decisions on spending cuts by demographics 14% 12% 15% 26% 12% 10% 12% 12% 9% 18%