Jeremy Hunt’s budget fails to move voters as Labour retains election lead in poll

Polling firm Opinium found that nearly half of voters (49%) said the budget was good or bad for them, despite the chancellor extending childcare, freeing fuel duty and supporting families facing high energy bills. They were “indecisive”.

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85% of voters praised the continuation of the household energy support scheme and three quarters supported the decision to freeze fuel tariffs for another year.

But only one in five voters said it was a good budget and that Labor is still at the forefront of driving the economy as well as improving public services.

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Mr Hunt’s decision to end the tax-free cap on lifetime pension allowances, as he seeks to boost economic growth by reducing the number of working-age adults retiring, was approved by just over a quarter of voters (26%) was condemned. It was a good idea.

The election is bad news for a chancellor, who told reporters that “there was no way for us (to be re-elected) without a reputation for economic capability”, but a ray of hope for a government broadly aligned with voters. lies in the popularity of the Prime Minister. Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer are similar on their ability to operate and handle the economy.

The prime minister’s approval rating is -8 with 31% of voters approving and 39% disapproving while Starmer has equal numbers (31%) approving and disapproving.

When asked who would make the best prime minister, 28% said Sunak while 26% supported Starmer.

Adam Drummond, head of political and social research at Opinium, said: “The main problem for Rishi Sunak is that the party he leads is hugely unpopular, even though he and Keir Starmer are often ranked at the top of ‘Best Prime Minister’ Do business. Question and Sunak/Hunt narrowly pip Starr/Reeves on the best team to handle the economy.

“The way the Conservative Party traditionally wins elections is by relying more on the economy, in which people regard Labor as well but inefficient, but that is certainly not where we are at the moment Are. Labor is far ahead in driving the economy and far ahead in measures like getting people better off.

“Conservatives are also taking a gamble with Suella Braverman’s push on small boats. Despite thinking that ‘public support tougher action on migration’ is a solid bet, the polling about the small boats policy is a confusing mix and the person selling it has little credibility.