Just four out of 10 UK residents trust local government compared to 80% who trust the NHS, according to an inaugural survey of attitudes to public services.
But the UK Trust in Government Survey, part of an international study commissioned and coordinated by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), found only 35% of the UK population trusted national Government.
Some 42% of the population reported trusting local government, 55% trusted the civil service while the NHS was the most trusted public service at 80%.
Only 20% of the UK population reported trust in the political parties.
Half the UK population felt it was likely they would have an opportunity to voice their views if a decision affecting their community was to be made by their local authority, higher than the OECD average of 41%.
The figures reflect the population’s use of their public services, with 80% telling the survey, conducted earlier this year, they had used the NHS in the previous 12 months while only 3% had accessed social services.