Economic growth makes ‘no difference’ to third of voters

THE Conservatives have been accused of failing to make the case for economic growth after a poll found one third of people think it makes “no difference” to their lives.

Voters were also more likely to say that growth is driven by government intervention rather than by government staying out of the economy.

The policy research agency, Public First, surveyed 2,008 UK adults last month on their thoughts about economic growth. Asked “how much do you think you benefit personally when the economy grows”, 32 per cent of people felt “it makes no difference” while 42 per cent believed they benefit “a little”. Just 13 per cent said they benefit “a lot”.

A small minority believed they were harmed by growth, with 3 per cent saying they suffer “a little” and 2 per cent saying they suffer “a lot”.

Thirty-eight per cent of people agreed with the statement that “the economy grows more when Government actively intervenes more in the economy”, compared with 21 per cent who said that it grows more “when Government stays out”.

Six in 10 respondents also said they thought that the Government could raise economic growth “if it just tried harder”, compared to 11 per cent who disagreed.

The poll findings suggest that despite politicians talking up the importance of economic growth in recent years, the public has yet to take notice.

In March, Jeremy Hunt, the Chancellor, dubbed his Budget a “Budget for long term growth”, while Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, has selected the UK securing “the highest sustained growth in the G7” as one of Labour’s “missions” for government.

James Frayne, Public First’s director, said: “The results have been disastrous. Not only have vast numbers of voters been persuaded that government is the answer to everything but they’ve become furious with the Party for ultimately failing to meet outlandish promises.

“When they enter opposition, the Conservatives need to be honest with voters about the limits of government and the realities of what drives growth.”

In the poll 53 per cent agreed that “Britain would have higher economic growth if we were still in the EU”, compared to 21 per cent who disagreed.