THE ECONOMY

VOTERS are more optimistic about their own finances than the country’s economy over the next five years, ComRes reveals.

More than two-thirds (71 per cent) of those quizzed in the survey believe their livelihoods will improve or at least stay the same until 2022 when the next general election is due.

And more believe their personal finances will get better (29 per cent) than worse (23 per cent) over the period.

In contrast, a greater proportion of voters expect the economy to worsen (36 per cent) than improve (31 per cent) over five years.

Just under a quarter (23 per cent) expect Britain’s economic growth to stay the same.

Improve

Men questioned in the survey were more likely to say their financial situation will improve (33 per cent) than women (24 per cent).

Voters aged over 65 were more likely to say the economy will improve (45 per cent), compared with only one in five (20 per cent) of those aged 18-24.

Yet respondents in the younger age group were most likely (54 per cent) to say their own financial situation will probably improve over five years.

When asked about how Britain’s standing in the world might fare in the next five years, 26 per cent of respondents expect it to improve, 33 per cent believe it will get worse while 32 per cent anticipate little change.

Tory supporters are more likely to believe Britain’s international standing will improve than Labour supporters (47 per cent against 13 per cent).