British Attitudes Survey Says NO to Austerity

Apparently nearly half of Britons think the Government should raise taxes and increase spending, notably it is the highest proportion to support such measures since 2004, according to the survey. The poll of public opinion found that 48% say they want higher taxes to pay for more spending on health, education and social benefits; 44% say they want it to stay the same and 4% would like to see taxes cut. These figures come at an interesting time as the Labour Party is expected to table an amendment to the Queen’s speech to oppose further austerity measures.

Mr Corbyn is calling for the 1% public sector pay cap and cuts to the police and emergency services to end. The survey also found the public were becoming more sceptical of the EU. And social liberalism was rising on issues such as same-sex relationships, pre-marital sex and abortion. It was particularly interesting to see how views have changed over time with 75% of Britons saying sex before marriage is "not wrong at all", up from 42% when the question was first asked in 1983. Some more traditional “conservative” views remained, however, on national security, with more than half wanting strong powers on terror.