Understanding Society User Support

Afternoon

We are looking to assess the extent to which consumers are saving. As part of the research, we are looking to compare UK household savings (and expenditure) over time with a view to understanding the extent to which the levels (and patterns) have changed over time. As part of our research we have been looking at the BHPS and Understanding Society datasets, amongst others. In this respect I have a small query.

To understand which savings variables appear in each wave of the BHPS and Understanding Savings surveys (as well as a description of these variables) I have been looking across the different surveys. For example, some of these variables include (while the prefix “a” refers to wave a of the BHPS, these variables can be found in other waves of the BHPS):
- asave: Saves from current income
- asaved: Amount saved in each month
- asavey: Reason for saving

Understanding society has similar variables, such as those shown below. (While the prefix “f” refers to the wave of Understanding Soceity, however, some of these variables can be found in other waves of Understanding society):
- f_save: Whether saves
- f_saved: Monthly amount saved
- f_savereg: regular saver

Although wave A of the Understanding Society survey has the savings variable “a_matdepf” (regular savings), it seems to omit many of the other variables which appear in the BHPS survey and Understanding Society surveys (such as those listed above).

In this regard, it would much appreciated if you could indicate whether wave a of the Understanding Society differs from the BHPS survey and later Understanding Society surveys. If not, please could you indicate which savings variables (if any) in wave a are consistent with the BHPS survey and the later waves of Understanding Society.

Lastly, would you be able to provide a list of savings variables for both the BHPS and Understanding Society Surveys?

Thank you again for any assistance you may be able to provide.