My anecdotal experience is that there is a lot of mistrust of scientists and science in general here in the UK (I’ve been living here for 7 years). However the issues are quite nuanced and usually limited to a certain issues. For example a lot of quack science is in vogue here and loudly championed by a lot of people I know. In these cases their adherents place their trust in quack scientists and gurus who advocate this quackery. To them these people are the “real” scientists whereas many other scientists are often suspected of being part of some global conspiracy.

You see this over MMR vaccine as well as the Large Hadron Collider which have many vocal detractors here in the UK. However it’s worth noting that even the most ardent quantum homeopathy adherent I know would take a sick child to the doctor if the sugar pill doesn’t produce results within 12 hours.

And likewise I had a falling out with a friend because she was adamant that I become a believer in the “Field”. However it’s worth noting that although she can rant for hours about evolution, doctors, et al she wouldn’t hesitate to go to the doctor within 12 hours of the sugar pill not working. And she won’t pay 200 quid to go to a Living the Field seminar. So when the rubber hits the road people trust science more than quackery but that generalisation papers over a few cracks.