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British Social Attitudes Survey Finds Sharp Turn Against Higher Taxes and Spending

Researchers attribute the shift to recent growth in the size of the state.

Overview

  • Only 36% support raising taxes to boost funding for services, the lowest share since 2013.
  • Backing for higher tax-and-spend has fallen 19 points since 2022, while a record 19% now favour cutting both taxes and spending.
  • Forty-one percent say the current level of taxation and spending is about right, indicating a larger middle ground.
  • Views are polarized by party, with 21% of Conservative and Reform UK supporters favouring rises versus 52% of Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green supporters.
  • Support for greater benefits has dropped to 27%, pensions priority has fallen to 34% from 61% in 2006, and only 32% say migration benefits the economy and culture.