Much of the data that would help assess social bridges, bonds and links is simply not available. Data on the ethnicity of members does not appear to be collected by trade unions, political parties, voluntary organisations, etc. Local authorities do not consistently collect ethnicity data on councillors, council employees or service users. According to a Scotland-wide survey, the average councillor is a ‘white’ Scottish man, married, aged 50-59, “who is a well-educated homeowner from a managerial or professional occupation.” These results were similar to previous studies.