Almost three quarters of MPs would like to see taxes increase to boost crumbling public services.
The poll for Tax Justice by Survation also found nine in ten (91%) Labour MPs are in favour of the measure in a boost to Rachel Reeves. According to a new survey of 101 MPs, just 12% preferred sticking to current levels of taxation, with no improvement to services.
It comes as the Chancellor prepares to deliver her Budget next week tax hikes all but certain to plug the £22billion black hole in day-to-day spending. Labour’s manifesto said the party would not increase taxes on “working people”, including VAT, national insurance, and income tax.
But speaking during a summit on Samoa this week, Keir Starmer hinted at an increase in capital gains – a duty paid on the sale of shares and second homes. He suggested that he does not consider all owners of stocks and shares to fall within his definition of “working people”.
Sarah Hall, the deputy director at Tax Justice UK, said: “We have a government – and Parliament – that are overwhelmingly in favour of higher taxes to fix public services which have been left to run down over the last decade.
“Voters backed the government under a slogan of change, now it has a perfect opportunity to deliver in confidence. Taxing those with the broadest shoulders more will allow for investment that returns benefits for everyone and delivers a stronger, more resilient economy.”
The new Labour MP for Alloa and Grangemouth, Brian Leishman, said: “Key services like the NHS, health care, social care, schools and local authorities have been starved of funding after years of austerity.
“Taxing extreme wealth can provide the money needed to deliver well-functioning public services that enrich us all. The Labour government, which I’m proud to support, has an opportunity to change society for the better.”
Survation polled 101 MPs online between 25th September – 15th October 2024. The data was statistically weighted to approximate the profile of all UK MPs.