Survey reveals most and least trusted professions

The survey shows the most and least trusted professions. Credit: PA

Public trust in some professions has fallen dramatically, according to a new survey by Ipsos MORI.

According to the latest results of its Veracity Index, which has charted levels of public trust since 1983, some people now expect their hairdressers to tell the truth just as much as a police officer.

This is higher than the police (68%), charity chief executives (47%) and TV newsreaders (65%).

Formerly, the most trusted occupation, the clergy are now considered less likely to tell the truth than doctors, teachers, judges and scientists.

Confidence in doctors remain high and they are the most trusted profession

Confidence in doctors remain high and they are the most trusted profession.

The top five professions the survey revealed as 'most trusted'. Credit: Ipsos Mori

On the other side of the spectrum, perhaps unsurprisingly after a series scandals in recent years, politicians are the least trusted.

Though the level of trust is low, it has improved on the year before when just 16% of the public trusted them.

Other least trusted professions

  • Government ministers - 22%

  • Journalists - 25%

  • Estate agents - 25%

  • Bankers - 37%

  • Builders - 42%

The most to least trusted professions, according to Ipsos MORI Credit: Ipsos MORI

Bobby Duffy, Director of the Social Research Institute at Ipsos MORI, said: "Public trust in politicians remains steadfastly low, at the very bottom of the list of professions alongside Journalists, Government Ministers and Estate Agents. But it’s good to remind ourselves that this is not a “new crisis of trust” - from this long-running survey we can see that public trust has been an issue for politicians for at least the past 33 years.

He added: "Most notably public trust in the ordinary man or woman in the street is at the highest level we’ve ever recorded. All generations have increased their level of trust - which is encouraging and important."