The Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (OPN) is an omnibus survey collecting data on a range of subjects commissioned by both internal Office for National Statistics (ONS) and external clients (limited to; other government departments, charities, non-profit organisations and academia). Data is collected from 1 adult selected from each sampled private household. Personal data include person, family, address, household, income, education plus responses and opinions on a variety of subjects within commissioned modules. The dataset includes a standard set of demographic variables and a single commissioned module.

In March 2020, the OPN was adapted to become a weekly survey used to collect data on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on day-to-day life in Great Britain. From 25 August 2021, as COVID-19 restrictions began to be lifted across Great Britain, the OPN moved to a fortnightly data collection with the sample size at around 5,000 households in each period to help ensure the survey remains sustainable.

Prior to the changes in frequency to the OPN survey during the coronavirus pandemic, there had been on-going improvements to the OPN. In recent years, work has been undertaken to change the design of the OPN from a face-to-face survey to a mixed mode design (online first with telephone follow-up). Mixed mode collection allows respondents to complete the survey more flexibly and provides a more cost-effective service for customers.

The questionnaire collects timely data for research and policy analysis evaluation into the impact that the coronavirus pandemic has had on individuals and households in Great Britain.