The Tory-led Government is failing to convince the public it can be trusted on three key election battleground areas – the economy, the NHS and taxation, according to a ComRes poll for UNISON.
The poll of more than 2,000 British adults shows that just 36% agree (47% disagree) they trust the Government to improve the economy and more than half (55%) disagreeing that the Government can be trusted to set taxes in a fair way. Perhaps the most damning poll result is the fact that only one quarter (25%) of Britons say they trust the Government with the NHS.
The bad news continues, with the impact of the Government’s austerity measures laid bare in the survey which reveals a quarter (23%) say they tend to run out of money between each payday. More shocking still, one in eleven (9%) have to borrow money just to pay for essentials.
The findings are released today (Tuesday 17 June) as UNISON chief, Dave Prentis is set to address the union’s Annual Delegate Conference in Brighton. He said:
“With less than a year to go to the general election, the Tory-led Coalition is sliding down in the public’s estimation on three key election battleground areas.
The public sees through Government rhetoric claiming the economy is on the up, because they are struggling day to day to keep their heads above water. Four in ten of those surveyed said they are worse off a result of the Government’s cuts to public spending. And public services workers have been punished by this Government by denying them a pay rise for another year, despite bragging about an economic recovery.
“The rich are getting richer and cutting the top rate of income tax has gone down like a lead balloon with the electorate. But it is on the NHS that the Tories have shown their true colours and they will pay the price at the next election. Precious billions have been wasted on the massive and unnecessary top-down reorganisation of our health service. Instead of improving patient care, we now have longer waiting times, including for cancer treatment, and cuts and closures to vital patient services.
“The winners are again those already reaping the benefits of the Tory cuts agenda. Big businesses are queuing up to take over lucrative contracts in the public sector. The privateers, private health companies and those making profits by cutting time and quality to the elderly and to the most vulnerable in our society.
“The public is ready for something else, an alternative to austerity and hope for the future.”
Key Survey Findings
- Seven in ten (69%) admit they are more careful now with costs when they do their food shopping than they were a year ago. Despite this, 23% say they run out of money between each pay day. And one in five (21%) say they are worried about not being able to afford food and the same proportion say they are worried about losing their job (21%).
- Just under half(45%) of adults surveyed say they have some kind of personal debts. This is higher for younger Britons with six in ten (58%) of those aged 18-34.
- The majority of those in debt (68%) say they are not confident that they will be debt free in the next 12 months.
- British adults are feeling the rise in the cost of living with three quarters (75%) saying the cost of energy bills has gone up in the last year. 76% said the same of food shopping and 52% public transport. 49% said the cost of filling up their car with petrol has gone up and a third (34%) said the same of cost of rent.
Ends
ComRes interviewed 2,034 GB adults online between 11 and 13 of June 2014. Data were weighted to be representative of all GB adults aged 18+.
