In most of its 30 years the GHS has introduced new measures to reflect changes in society. In 2001, a new question on national identity was introduced. People were able to choose one or more categories from the following list: English, Scottish, Welsh, Irish, British, Other. For more details see Appendix E. Forty nine per cent of people described themselves as one of: English, Scottish, Welsh or Irish; 31% described themselves as British only; and 15% described themselves as British and English, Scottish, Welsh or Irish. Five per cent gave an ‘other’ identity and 1% gave other combinations. Future surveys will be able to measure the changing trends in people’s assessment of their national identity.

Chapter 3