The British Social Attitudes survey series is carried out by Britain's largest independent social research institute, the National Centre for Social Research. It provides an indispensable guide to current political and social issues in contemporary Britain. This, the 24th report, describes the results of the most recent nation-wide survey, including analysis of the following areas: national identity; attitudes to 'new' types of family formations; attitudes to cohabitation and the rights of cohabitees; social welfare; and gender roles.