England's Community and Engagement Survey 2025/26 Overview

The Community and Engagement Survey (CES) by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) serves as an important measure of societal interactions in England. Initiated in October 2025, it supersedes prior assessments like the Participation Survey and Community Life Survey and gathers data on how individuals aged 16 and over interact with their communities, culture, media, and live sports. This survey provides comprehensive insights into local and regional engagement trends, ensuring respondents' perspectives on local issues are heard.

Comprehensive Data Collection

CES captures data at multiple levels: nationally, regionally, and at local authority scales. Covering from October 2025 to March 2026, some data was also gathered in the earlier period from April to September 2025 through the old Participation Survey framework. This extensive collection ensures that various demographic and geographic factors are considered, allowing policymakers and stakeholders to understand diverse engagement nuances effectively.

Transition and Implementation

The transition to CES marks a significant change in how community and cultural engagement data is captured. By focusing on more detailed demographic and geographic information, policymakers can tailor strategies to enhance community involvement. The survey covers England comprehensively, while data in other UK devolved regions are available through their respective surveys such as the Scottish Household Survey, the National Survey for Wales, and the Northern Ireland Continuous Household Survey.

Regulatory Framework and Standards

The CES is regulated by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR) to maintain high standards of trustworthiness, quality, and value, as dictated by the Code of Practice for Statistics. This ensures that statistical practices remain consistent and reliable, contributing valuable insights for government and community planning.

Publication and Access Information

The initial release for this dataset was published on 31 July 2026, with a subsequent update on 11 August 2026 correcting technical details in the appendix. Future quarterly data releases are scheduled, with the next one anticipated in September 2026, covering data from April to June 2026. Pre-release access is limited to key ministers and officials for briefing purposes, with a maximum 24-hour period granted.

Contact and Feedback Options

For inquiries related to this release, Dea Begaj is the responsible analyst and can be contacted at [email protected]. Feedback on adherence to statistical standards can also be addressed directly to DCMS or through the OSR via their website or email.

This initiative highlights DCMS's commitment to enhancing community understanding and involvement, providing essential data that shapes policies reflective of current societal needs.