We are developing a joint NCDS-BCS70 sweep, and experts across the scientific, policy, third, and private sectors have provided valuable input.
The consultation on the content of the NCDS Age 68 sweep / BCS70 Age 56 sweep is now closed. Many thanks to everyone who took part – we very much appreciate your input. The latest draft of the questionnaire and a consultation report which contains our responses to the ideas we received during the consultation are available.
The next sweep of data collection for NCDS and BCS70 will be carried out jointly across the two studies. We are planning a 50-minute web survey to take place in 2026 when NCDS participants are aged 68 and BCS70 participants are aged 56.
With rich longitudinal data across the whole of life, both NCDS and BCS70 are uniquely placed to address key research and policy questions about ageing. Data from these studies are ideal for investigating healthy ageing, extending working lives, pension adequacy and social care, among other issues.
The joint sweep will be the first opportunity to survey NCDS cohort members after they reached the State Pension age of 66. BCS70 cohort members, at 56, will also be at a critical age for capturing declines in labour market participation, and for collecting comparable information to NCDS at age 55.
Carrying out a joint sweep is not only cost-effective, it also maximises the potential for cross-cohort comparisons through harmonisation. The web-only approach follows three successful web surveys of these cohorts during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The sweep will cover three broad areas:
Centre for Longitudinal Studies
UCL Social Research Institute
20 Bedford Way
London WC1H 0AL
Email: clsdata@ucl.ac.uk
