Over three quarters of the British public would prefer to see the Chancellor implement higher taxes on the rich than cut public spending, a poll has found.
One day before Rachel Reeves is due to deliver the spring statement, a YouGov poll has found that 78 per cent of people would back a 2 per cent wealth tax on people with assets worth more than £10 million.
The survey of 2,257 people also found that 77 per cent would rather see higher taxes on the rich than cuts in public spending.
Rachel Reeves has repeatedly said she will not budge from her fiscal rules, leading to mounting pressure over how to balance the books – by raising taxes or cutting spending.
Another poll ahead of the statement on Wednesday has found Brits are increasingly pessimistic about the state of the economy.
Some 58 per cent of people said they believe the economy is worsening, with just one in 10 believing growth was getting better, according to a survey by KPMG.
Yougov poll reveals collapse in confidence in Labour’s handing of the economy
Rachel Reeves will stand up to deliver her sporting statement tomorrow with public confidence in her handling of the economy at a low after a failure to spark the growth she promised during the election.
According to the findings 73 per cent of those surveyed by Yougov think Labour is doing a bad job with the economy.
A mere 16 per cent think it is doing a good job.Half (53 per cent) say Rachel Reeves has done a bad job as chancellor – only 11 per cent view her performance positively.
Four in ten (41 per cent believe the government taxes and spends too much, 23 per cent say it taxes and spends too little and 12% think they get the balance about right.
Meanwhile, 56 per cent say the rich are not paying enough tax, suggesting wide support for a so-called wealth tax while 69 per cent say they would like the government to spend more on the NHS.
Pictures: Protesters interrupt Nigel Farage’s speech in Doncaster
Ex-Reform MP Rupert Lowe ‘unlawfully harassed’ two women and failed to tackle ‘toxic’ office culture, inquiry finds
An independent investigation has found “credible evidence of unlawful harassment of two women” by MP Rupert Lowe and his team, Reform UK has said.
The probe by Jacqueline Perry KC was launched by the party after they received complaints from two women working in Mr Lowe’s offices, who complained of bullying from the MP himself and male members of staff.
The MP, who has been suspended from the Reform Party, has repeatedly denied the allegations and has claimed it is part of an attempt to smear his reputation.
The Independent’s Political Correspondent Millie Cooke has the full story:
Rupert Lowe denies bullying allegations
Suspended Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe has denied allegations of bullying in his officer.
The politician took to social media to publish a statement from his “entire current team” on X.
“These two women have vexatiously complained in an attempt to smear Rupert, and the entire team. And we are a team. We work together well,” the statement reads.
“The only issues raised within the office have been from these two individuals, who only did so after they committed serious offences. This whole ordeal has been difficult on all of us.
“We don’t want any of this – we just want to get on with our jobs, and support Rupert who has been a fantastic boss.
“There has never been any bullying – we will all go on the record to say so, and have done so already.”
Public want Reeves to tax super wealthy over cut spending in spring statement, poll says
Over three quarters of the British public would prefer to see the Chancellor implement higher taxes on the rich than cut public spending, a poll has found.
A YouGov poll conducted on behalf of Oxfam has found that 78 per cent of people would back a 2 per cent wealth tax on people with assets worth more than £10 million.
The survey of 2,257 people also found that 77 per cent would rather see higher taxes on the rich than cuts in public spending.
Anna Marriott, Oxfam senior policy adviser, said: “This is not about scarcity, it’s about political choices.
“The government claims there’s no alternative but to take money from the people struggling the most, both here and around the world; yet there is a huge amount of potential revenue that they refuse to consider.
“This money could be used to reduce poverty, inequalities and also strengthen public services instead of piling up in the pockets of the super-rich.”
Boost economy with EU trade deal, not benefit cuts, public say
The British public overwhelmingly back a trade deal with the EU over public spending cuts to shore up the country’s finances, polling shows.
Almost half of those polled by YouGov for Best for Britain said they think a new agreement with the bloc is a better way to grow the economy than the quarter who think cutting benefits is the way to go.Best for Britain chief executive Naomi Smith said:
“Austerity is political anthrax, being deeply unpopular, economically shortsighted and devastating to hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people all at once – but fortunately for Starmer, there is a popular alternative.
“By protecting high British standards and striking a common sense deal with our largest market, the Government can deliver real growth right across the country, boost public finances and reduce prices for consumers.”
Heathrow boss to be grilled by MPs over closure
Heathrow’s boss Thomas Woldbye will be grilled by MPs next week following the airport’s closure.
Almost 300,000 passengers were disrupted after the west London airport was closed until around 6pm after a fire at a nearby electrical substation late on Thursday night knocked power out in the area.
The Transport Select Committee said chief executive Thomas Woldbye will give evidence at a one-off session on Wednesday, April 2.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has already ordered the National Energy System Operator to investigate what happened and provide its initial findings within six weeks.
An internal review of the airport’s crisis management plans and its response will be undertaken by former transport secretary Ruth Kelly, who is an independent member of Heathrow’s board.
UK exports to EU growing half as fast as rest of world
British exports into Europe are growing at half the rate of those to the rest of the world, damning new figures show.
Research from London based chartered accountants and business advisers Lubbock Fine found UK exports to the EU rose by a fifth in the five years since Brexit to £174 billion.
Partner Alex Altmann said the figures showed trade with Europe had remained resilient after Britain left the EU.
But the figures showed exports to non-EU countries grew more than twice as fast as those to Europe, jumping by 46 per cent to £235 billion.
Best for Britain chief executive Naomi Smith said: “British businesses have been resilient in adapting to the challenges created by our withdrawal from the EU, but barriers to trade have been a handbrake on our economic engine by needlessly curtailing exports to our largest market.”
And Sir Nick Harvey, chief executive of European Movement UK, said: “The UK’s resilient trade figures are of course welcome news in light of the flatlining economic situation the country has faced in recent years. They must be viewed as chinks of light in an otherwise overcast outlook, and the enormous damage done to Britain’s businesses since leaving the EU.”
