Key Findings of the 2025/26 Community and Engagement Survey

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has published the latest findings from the Community and Engagement Survey (CES) for the period of April 2025 to March 2026. This survey seeks insights into how people in England engage with their communities and cultural activities. It replaced the Participation Survey and Community Life Survey in October 2025.

Survey Scope and Methodology

The CES is designed as a continuous web survey targeting individuals aged 16 and over. It gathers data on public engagement with cultural, media, and sports activities within England. Most data was collected between October 2025 and March 2026.

Geographic Breakdown

The statistics offer a comprehensive view at national, regional, and local authority levels. However, there isn't a unified survey for the devolved regions of the UK, though similar data can be found through the Scottish Household Survey and others.

Release and Coverage Details

The release of this data on 31 July 2026 covers broad geographical divides within England, with the next quarterly update scheduled for September 2026. Some data for the period between April and September 2025 was captured under the now-replaced Participation Survey.

Ethical Standards and Quality Control

The data falls under the guidance of the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR), ensuring adherence to the Code of Practice for Statistics. This ensures trustworthiness and quality in official statistics.

Pre-release Access

Pre-release access to the data was limited to a select group of ministers and officials, following strict guidelines. This access was capped at 24 hours to ensure fairness and transparency in statistical reporting.

Contact and Further Information

For further details, analysts such as Dea Begaj can be contacted. DCMS encourages feedback on how they meet statistical standards via their contact channels.

The CES report provides critical insights into how the English public engages with local culture and communities, reflecting diverse demographic and geographic details. Future releases will continue to build on this foundation, offering more in-depth analysis.