‘Most expect Brexit will mean higher taxes’ – poll

MOST voters expect to pay higher taxes because of Brexit, a pre-Budget poll shows.

Nearly seven in 10 adults (69%) believe the UK’s withdrawal from the EU will see taxes increase, according to the ComRes survey for MHP Communications.

With Chancellor Philip Hammond unveiling the Budget tomorrow, almost eight out of 10 voters (78%) think the Government does not spend taxpayers’ money wisely, according to the poll. The country is split over whether taxes should be increased to boost public services, with 51% in favour of such a move, and 49% against.

The group most opposed to tax hikes is the 35-year old to 44-year old “squeezed middle”.

The poll also reveals a sharp divide between age groups regarding whether the state should supply “cradle to grave” welfare provisions for individuals. While two-thirds of people aged over 65 (67%) believe individuals should make their own welfare provisions, just 44% of 18 to 24-year olds agreed with that view.

Jamie Lyons, of MHP, said: ““This poll shows the difficult choices facing Philip Hammond. Voters want investment but the squeezed middle are not prepared to pay for it and they don’t trust the Government to spend their money wisely.”