Voters ship verdict on Rachel Reeves’s £40billion Budget tax hikes

On Nov 1, 2024

Voters believe some taxes needed to rise in the Budget to fund the NHS and other public services.

A poll, shared exclusively with the Mirror, shows 2 in 3 (63%) Brits say that some taxes had to go up to fix crumbling public services. Around half (47%) said Rachel Reeves’s plans would have a positive impact on the NHS and other services – with 27% taking a negative view, according to the survey from Arden Strategies by JL Partners.

The Chancellor’s £40billion tax raid was necessary, according to half of Brits (47%) while a third (36%) said the tax rises were unnecessary. A majority (69%) think the government is facing a challenge with the public finances, with half (48%) saying that Labour was left a broken country by the Tories.

Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves with members of staff, during a visit to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire
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Getty Images)

Voters of all political stripes backed the decision to pump £22.6 billion into the NHS (+72) and to compensation victims of the infected blood and Post Office scandals (+68). However hikes to employers’ national insurance contributions was unpopular (-6), particularly amongst Conservative and Reform voters.

Jim Murphy, Chief Executive of Arden Strategies, said: “The Budget sets a different direction for the country, with a more open approach about the need for more investment in the NHS and infrastructure. It is also a significant political moment; with Labour making the case for £40 billion in tax increases.

“This poll suggests that the public are open to Labour’s argument that they face a tough inheritance. Labour strategists will be heartened to hear there appears to be public support for most of the significant measures in the Budget, including tax rises.

“They will also be pleased that their 2024 electoral coalition supports every one of the tax increases. And while Conservative voters are strongly opposed to some of the business taxes, they appear to support a range of budget measures; including the end to non-dom status and introducing VAT on private school fees.”

:: J.L. Partners polled a nationally representative sample of 2,002 GB voters from October 30-31.