Jeremy Hunt’s budget fails to move voters as Labor retains lead in latest poll

Polling firm Opinium found that almost half of voters (49%) said they were “unsure” whether the budget was good or bad for them, despite the chancellor’s policies on expanding childcare, freezing fuel taxes and providing support presented by families with high energy bills.

Individual measures were welcomed, with 85% of voters praising the continuation of the household energy support program and three quarters backing the decision to freeze fuel taxes for another year.

But just one in five voters said it was a good budget and Labor still has the edge when it comes to keeping the economy going and improving public services.

Mr Hunt’s decision to scrap the tax-free cap on the lifetime pension as he seeks to spur economic growth by reducing the number of working-age adults choosing to retire was backed by just over a quarter of those in power Voters (26%) condemned It was a good idea.

The poll is bad news for a chancellor, who told reporters there was “no path (to re-election) for us without a reputation for economic competence,” but a glimmer of hope for the government lies in the prime minister’s popularity with voters in general Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer do the same in terms of their ability to govern and manage the economy.

The Prime Minister’s approval rating is -8, with 31% of voters agreeing with him and 39% disagreeing with him, while Starmer agrees and disagrees with the same number (31%).

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

Adam Drummond, Opinium’s head of political and social research, said: “The main problem for Rishi Sunak remains that the party he leads is hugely unpopular, although he and Keir Starmer frequently swap places at the helm of ‘best prime minister’. Question and Sunak/Hunt narrowly place Starmer/Reeves behind best team to deal with the economy.

“Traditionally, the way the Conservative Party wins elections is by showing more confidence in business, with people perceiving Labor as well-meaning but incompetent, but that’s definitely not where we’re at right now condition. Labor is just ahead when it comes to running the economy and well ahead when it comes to making people better off.

“Conservatives are also gambling with Suella Braverman’s push for small boats. While ‘public support for tougher action on migration’ is a solid bet, polls on small boat policies are a confusing mix and the credibility of the person selling them is low.”