A new poll of the UK public on behalf of the Angela Rayner campaign has found that when asked whether they would consider doing certain things such as making a speech in public or applying for a promotion at their workplace, men were more likely than women to say they would consider them.

43% of men would consider making a speech in public on a topic they are passionate about compared to 37% of women. Likewise when asked whether they would consider standing for public office (for example as a local councillor or MP), 32% of men said they would consider this compared to only 18% of women.

In terms of opportunities in their workplace, 56% of women said they would consider applying for a promotion whereas 64% of men said they would. The same percentage of men said they would consider putting themselves forward for opportunities at their work compared to 58% of women.

When asked what they thought stopped them from putting themselves forward for opportunities at their workplace, the number one reason for men was ‘I’m happy as I am’, selected by 40% (36% of women also selected this option). The most common reason for women was ‘lack of confidence’ with 38% selecting this option (only 30% of men also selected this). The third most common reason for women was ‘I don’t think I am qualified enough’ (selected by 26% of women compared to 22% of men). 

Survation conducted an online poll of 1,040 people aged 18+ living in the UK on behalf of the Angela Rayner Campaign. Fieldwork was between 26th-27th February 2020. Data tables can be found here.

 Survation is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.

To learn more about Survation’s polling capabilities or to commission a poll, contact Harry Mason or John Gibb on 020 3818 9661 or email researchteam@survation.com.

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