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The budget is unpopular with voters who believe it will help the wealthy rather than the poor, according to an exclusive poll. I.
Research by BMG Research shows that while the public supports every individual policy announced by Jeremy Hunt, fewer oppose policies such as the 2p cut to National Insurance and the abolition of non-tax status. It turned out to be only.
But overall, voters appeared to feel negatively about the Prime Minister’s fiscal event, with only one in nine saying the event had made them more likely to vote Conservative.
When asked about their opinions on the budget bill as a whole, 20% said they supported it and 39% said they opposed it, resulting in an online rating of -19. As such, while it is less popular than last year’s Budget and the Autumn Statement, it is still more positive than the “mini-budget” announced by Kwasi Kwarteng in September 2022.
Fifty-two percent said the budget would benefit the rich the most, only 8% expected it would help the poor the most, and 24% said it would benefit both parties equally.
Only 11% of respondents said the Budget made them more likely to vote Conservative in the next general election, while 85% said the Budget made no difference to them or made them more likely to vote Conservative. 53% said it would not even deter them, and 53% said it would have no effect. 32% said the difference would make them less likely to vote Conservative.
BMG’s Oliver White said: “While clearly important economically every year, this year’s budget plays an additional political role as an opportunity for the government to turn its electoral fortunes around.”
“However, our polling shows that the public is not particularly impressed either economically or politically.
“Compared to Jeremy Hunt’s previous two budgets, this one was more unpopular at exactly the wrong time. It was a “mini-budget.”
“Mr Hunt has set out multiple goals for this budget, including raising money for public services, supporting people’s living costs and reducing government borrowing levels.
“However, in each of these areas, the public is likely to see this budget as having a negative impact.” Compounding this negative opinion, this budget is Voters are more likely to say it helps high-income people.”
However, when asked about the Prime Minister’s individual budget announcements in turn, more people supported than opposed all of them.
The most popular option is an annual freeze on fuel taxes, with 66% in favor and 8% against. 55% supported a 2p cut to National Insurance, 56% approved the decision to extend the windfall tax on oil and gas companies and 48% supported the abolition of non-dom status.
BMG Research conducted online interviews with a representative sample of 1,541GB adults between March 6th and 7th. BMG is a member of the British Voting Council and complies with its rules.