Written question WQ93746

The National Survey is carried out to the highest standards, involving a randomly-selected sample of people to ensure that the results are as representative as possible of people across Wales. Cost pressures, and the falling response rates that are being experienced by surveys generally, mean that the estimated achieved sample size for 2024-25 is 9,000 people (compared with the c. 12,000 a year achieved in previous years); and the final total may be lower. This may affect the extent to which data can be broken down, either geographically or for some population groups. It won’t prevent the National Survey being used for the measurement of key indicators or policy monitoring such as the Wellbeing of Future Generation National Indicators, healthy behaviours, Welsh speaking, and fair work. While key indicators will still be measured in a robust way, because of the reduction in the level of analysis by geography and key demographic groups it has been decided that fieldwork for 2025-26 will not proceed. Work has begun on a redesign of the survey approach for future years.