The annual budget for four major Scottish population surveys has been cut by £2.8m, reducing the sample size for some questions and omitting a nurse visit and its blood samples. On the plus side, core questions will have a larger sample size in the combined survey. The four affected surveys are:

• The Scottish Crime and Justice Survey
• The Scottish Health Survey
• The Scottish Household Survey
• The Scottish House Condition Survey

The Scottish Government report summarising these changes was published in November 2011. Comments are requested by michael.davidson@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.