Hunt leaves voters concerned about their finances

JEREMY HUNT’S Autumn Statement has failed to reassure the public about the economy and their personal finances, a new poll has found.

Almost half of voters say the Chancellor’s measures – which included tax increases and spending cuts – have made them feel more concerned about their own financial circumstances.

The poll, by Ipsos UK, also found that the public trusts Labour more on the economy than the Tories, with 34 per cent reporting that they trusted Sir Keir Starmer’s party, 28 per cent trusting the Tories and 31 per cent neither.

But between the two leaders, Rishi Sunak was trusted more than Sir Keir, with 36 per cent of the public, compared with 28 per cent.

The findings – among the first to account for public reaction to Thursday’s statement – will none the less make grim reading for Downing Street as ministers attempt to reassure the markets and public that they can deliver an economic recovery.

The Office for Budget Responsibility has forecast a recession that will last “just over a year” in the prediction that accompanied the Autumn Statement, as it said living standards in the UK would fall to their lowest on record.

When asked about the effect of Mr Hunt’s measures on the overall health of the economy, 40 per cent felt more concerned since his statement, while 25 per cent felt reassured.

Forty-six per cent said they felt concerned about both Britain’s public services and their own personal finances after this week’s announcement.

The research also reveals problems for Mr Sunak in holding onto Conservative voters at the next election, with those who supported the Tories in 2019 rejecting the Autumn Statement.

Almost a third (27 per cent) of Con- servative voters said they opposed the tax rises, and 38 per cent said they did not believe the party had a “long-term economic plan”.

Respondents were asked what they blamed for the UK’s economic problems. The Covid-19 pandemic was the most common culprit, with 84 per cent saying they felt it had a fair amount or a great deal of impact on the economy.

They also blamed the global economic picture, the war in Ukraine, and economic decisions made by Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng.

Brexit, Conservative economic policy since 2010, decisions made by big businesses and by Mr Sunak and Mr Hunt were also responsible, according to more than half of voters in each case. The poll of 1,080 adults was conducted after the Autumn Statement on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning.

A separate poll for GB News yesterday suggested the Autumn Statement resulted in a five-point poll bounce for Labour, who led the Tories by 47 per cent to 21 per cent.

Gideon Skinner, at Ipsos UK, said: “Initial reactions suggest the Autumn Statement has not left many reassured about the economy, public services or their own circumstances, and about 4 in 10 are feeling more concerned.

“This reflects widespread pessimism about the economy – which people realise is affected by external factors such as Covid, Ukraine and the global economy, but the challenge for the Tories is they do not escape blame either.”