Eight in ten Britons say public services have got worse over the last five years and many of them have little faith they will improve, a new poll revealed on Friday.
The exclusive Ipsos survey for The Standard laid out the parlous state of public services, in the view of the vast majority of voters, just days before the Autumn Statement.
Some Tory MPs are urging Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to cut taxes but the poll showed voters are at least, if not more, concerned about improving public services.
It found 78 per cent of adults believe public services overall have got worse over the past five years, compared to 62% in March 2017, and nearly double the 40% in November 2012.
Three-quarters of Britons do not believe the Government has the right long-term policies for public services, up five points since February, with 68% taking this view on the economy, a rise of nine points.
In both cases these are the worst Ipsos ratings since 2001/1980 respectively.
The dire findings come as NHS waiting lists have risen above 7.7 million, the rail network is crippled by regular strikes, rivers are polluted with sewage and economic growth has stalled.
The detailed data showed worsening scores since February 2020 and several new lows:
* 64% think the NHS will get worse over the next few years (up 18 points, similar to the previous worst score of 62% in March 2017)
* 52% say opportunities for young people will get worse (up 13 pts and worst since 2007)
* 47% believe the quality of the environment will get worse (up eight pts and worst since 2019)
* 44% expect public transport to get worse (up 14 pts and worst since 2002)
* 44% think the quality of education will get worse (up 17 pts and worst since 2002)
* 42% say the way their area is policed will get worse (up 20pts and similar to worst in 2018)
* 41% believe skills in Britain’s workforce will get worse (up 6 pts and worst since 2007)
The questions on young people, public transport and skills have not been asked regularly.
Gideon Skinner, Head of Political Research at Ipsos UK, said: “Despite all the excitement over Cabinet reshuffles this week, the longer-term challenge facing Rishi Sunak’s government is responding to the depth of public concern over the state of Britain’s public services.
“With the Autumn Statement next week, the Chancellor will be looking to rebuild public confidence in the government’s long term plans, but with no easy answer with no public consensus for increasing taxes, cutting spending or increasing borrowing.
“Labour meanwhile are on stronger ground on public services where they have more of people’s confidence, but they still have more to do to convince voters that they would make a significant improvement to the state of their personal financial situation.”
The poll found no clear support for increasing taxes, raising borrowing or cutting spending.
People were split on raising taxes to boost spending on public services, with 43% supporting such a move and 41% opposed.
There was least support for cutting spending on public services, with around two thirds opposed if it were to reduce taxes, with a similar figure if it were to lower borrowing/national debt.
In Westminister voting intentions, Labour has a 21-point lead, up two points from last month to 46%, with the Conservatives on 25%, up one point, Liberal Democrats 12%, down one point, and Greens down three points to 6%.
Rishi Sunak’s personal satisfation ratings have fallen back after rising last month, with two thirds now dissatisfied, 21% satisfied, giving a net score of minus 45, compared to minus 37 in October.
Sir Keir Starmer satisfaction rating is little changed, with 50% dissatisfied and 29% satisfied, a net score of minus 21 compared to minus 23 last month.
Thirty-one per cent are dissatisfied with Lib-Dem leader Sir Ed Davey and 23 satisfied, a net result of minus eight, an improvement from minus 15.
Sir Keir’s party scores more strongly than the Tories on public services, with 50% saying a Labour government would improve Britain’s public services in the long term, with 39% taking the opposite view.
Not as much enthusiasm was recorded for Labour on the economy but still better than the Conservatives, with 37% believing the former’s policies would improve Britain’s economy in the long term, 50% disagree.
As for making people and their family better off, 29% say a Labour government would, 16% a Tory administration, but 50% think it would make no difference.
* Ipsos interview 1,001 adults in Britain by phone between November 1 and 8. Data are weighted. More information at www.ipsos.com/en-uk
