Voters overwhelmingly back tax on wealthy to protect public services
Voters overwhelmingly back taxing the wealthy more in order to protect public services, a new poll found today.
The research, commissioned by the Trades Union Congress (TUC), found the public support tax increases on the wealthy and big businesses by a margin of almost two to one - 58% to 28%.
And the number rises among people who switched their vote from the Tories to Labour in last year's election - where a mammoth 71% said they supported the idea, compared to 23% who did not.
And Labour voters who are now strongly considering voting Reform also backed it by 61% to 32%.
The new polling comes ahead of the Spending Review, which the TUC says can be the "next key step" in the government's plan to rebuild Britain and deliver industrial renewal.
The TUC said the findings highlight the public's appetite for rebuilding public services - and suggested a "fairer" tax system should be part of plan.
General Secretary Paul Nowak said: 'The Spending Review can be the next key step in the government's plan to rebuild Britain and deliver industrial renewal.
'Communities are still crying out for meaningful change after more than a decade of Tory austerity and neglect.
'That's why the government must stay on track – building on the positive start it made at last year's Budget by providing sustained funding for our public services and infrastructure.
'The global outlook is challenging, but leaving our decimated public services without sufficient investment would risk both future growth and public trust."
The poll also found nearly 6 in 10 voters - 59% - believe the wealthiest don't pay their fare share.
And a clear majority - 56% - said big businesses don't pay their fare share.
More than two thirds (67%) said there were too many tax loopholes that could be exploited by the wealthy.
Asked how more could be raised from the richest, two thirds backed an annual wealth tax on estates over £10 million.
Some 63% backed a windfall tax on banks, and half said they supported increasing capital gains tax - the tax people pay on the profits from selling assets like property.
'The message from voters is clear," Mr Nowak said.
"They want the government to protect and rebuild our public services.
'If that means asking the wealthiest to pay more, the public are behind it. People are fed up with a system where those with the broadest shoulders don't pull their weight.'
Pollsters Hold Sway surveyed 2000 adults in Great Britain online between 30 May and 2 June.
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