Polling undertaken by Populus for The Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues, at the University of Birmingham, has found that the UK public value the short-term care for life during the current coronavirus crisis ahead of protecting the longer-term economic prosperity of the country.

A poll of 2,093 adults in the UK found that 55% agreed that the health of today’s older generations is more important than long term economic prosperity of future generations, and only 8% disagreed.

There were differences between generations, though as those aged 55 and over (58%) were most likely to agree with the statement than those 34 and under (49%).

The UK public agreed with prioritising protecting human lives in the short term ahead of prioritising future economic prosperity (Mean score = -2.89, where -5.00 is protecting human lives and +5.00 is prioritising economic prosperity).

The British public also value of the importance of compassion and care in the current coronavirus crisis.

The poll also found that people value care and compassion in others (68%), in leaders and senior politicians (44%), and as a character virtue that is important to wellbeing (25%) at this time.

Again, though, there were generational differences, with younger people aged under 35 valuing compassion in others less (62%) than those aged over 55 (75%); less in leaders and senior politicians (42%) than older people (46%); but equally in terms of the value to personal wellbeing (25%).

Having good judgement (66%) was most valued in leaders/senior political figures, with older people aged 55 and over (78%) valuing this more highly than those under 35 (57%).

These findings, overall, reflect the importance both in recognising character virtues in people around us, as well as the importance of character to our own wellbeing. We value the judgement and wisdom of our leaders, but recognise, at all ages and locations, the need for care and compassion at this time of crisis.