About the joint NCDS-BCS70 sweep

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.

What the sweep will cover

The sweep will cover three broad areas:

• family, relationship and identity
• housing, finances and employment
• health and wellbeing.

A central feature of longitudinal studies is the collection of the same measures over time. A summary of the content of previous sweeps of NCDS and BCS70 (PDF) is available. The summary document indicates which core longitudinal content will likely be repeated in the upcoming web survey.

How to take part in the consultation

The first phase of the consultation is now closed. Thank you to everyone who took part.

We are reviewing submissions and will publish responses and a draft questionnaire for comment in July 2025. Sign up to our mailing list for updates.

Consultation team

The scientific consultation is led by Prof George Ploubidis, Director of NCDS and BCS70.

CLS’s Scientific Advisory Network on Ageing, a multidisciplinary group of external expert advisors, will support Prof Ploubidis in reviewing and assessing submissions to the consultation.

CLS’s expert longitudinal survey methodologists will lead the questionnaire development and fieldwork specification, under the direction of Prof Ploubidis and the Centre’s wider scientific leadership.

CLS will also be asking cohort members for their perspective on what we should ask them at the upcoming sweeps.