In engineers we trust: poll lays bare public support
14 Dec 2025
Public trust in a variety of once-respected roles is falling but engineers remain one profession in which people appear to have almost complete faith.
The annual Ipsos Veracity Index surveyed more than 1,000 British adults about nearly 30 job titles, asking which they would trust to tell the truth.
Engineers scored a massive 90% vote, only narrowly behind first-placed nurses on 92%.
Other previous favourites such as the police force, local government representatives and the clergy have declined from their previously high, said Ipsos research director Mike Clemence.
“While we have seen a slight dip in trust across a number of groups, the police and local councillors stand out, showing the largest drop since 2024,” he stated.
Nurses, engineers and doctors who have traditionally performed strongly “still lead the pack as Britain’s most trusted profession”, he confirmed.
While the police (51%) and clergy (55%) still had the trust of more than half of respondents, their standing has dropped by 11 and eight points respectively within a year.
Local councillors are another significant casualty, dropping 10 points to 30%, yet still ahead of journalists, estate agents and government ministers as well as the bottom ranked category, social media influencers on 6%.
Most trust seems to be placed in STEM professions. In addition to engineers, doctors score 85% and scientists 81%.
However, it’s not all bad news for non-engineers: artists achieve a respectable 73%, well ahead of “the man/woman in the street” on 60%.
For further details of the survey, click here.
