Latest attitudes data shows little sign of public reaction against tax rises

In anticipation of next week’s Budget, the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) today releases new data on public attitudes towards taxation, spending and satisfaction with the health service.

To update people’s attitudes on these subjects, as well as ascertain how they voted, shortly after the election in July, NatCen recontacted nearly 1,800 of those who took part in the 2023 British Social Attitudes survey conducted last autumn. 

Dissatisfaction with the health service has increased further

• Already at a record high of 52% last autumn, dissatisfaction with the health service has now increased further to 61% in July. Just 18% are satisfied, down six points from last autumn.
• Those dissatisfied with the health service are more likely to say that taxes and spending should be increased.

There is still little sign of a public reaction against the rise in the tax burden

• At 48%, the proportion who say that taxes and spending should be increased is much the same as the 46% who did so last autumn.
• The proportion (42%) who reckon things should stay as they are is also little different from last autumn (41%), while, once again, just 10% back a reduction.
• As many as 61% feel that those with high incomes pay too little tax, up 17 points from last autumn and more than ever previously reported by the British Social Attitudes survey.
• However, just 8% think taxes on middle incomes are too low, while the remainder is evenly divided between those who say they are too high (44%) and those who feel they are about right (44%).

What do party supporters think?

• Nearly two in three (64%) of those who voted Labour in July say that taxes and spending should increase, precisely the same proportion as did so under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership in 2019.
• In contrast, just one in three (33%) of those who voted Conservative in July say that taxes and spending should increase, down on the equivalent figure of 43% among those who voted for the party in 2019.

Sir John Curtice, Senior Research Fellow at the National Centre for Social Research said: “Contrary to the assumption seemingly made by Labour during the election campaign, it appears that voters’ concerns about public services still outweigh their worries about how much tax they are paying, and especially so among those who voted for the party in July. That said, there is evidently more appetite for increasing taxes on those on high incomes than there is for tax hikes on those who are less well-off.”

For more information please contact:

Emileigh Spurdens, Communications Manager
t: 020 7549 8506 e: emileigh.spurdens@natcen.ac.uk