A new poll has delivered a brutal verdict on Andy Burnham's first Budget, with six in 10 voters agreeing it “tinkers with small things around the edges” while just 14% said it dealt with big, structural issues.
The survey by More in Common found that the public does not believe the financial statement will help with the cost of living, cut energy bills, or provide enough funding for defence. Voters also believe the Prime Minister is focusing on what is popular rather than what is right for the country.
Public Doubts on Key Pledges
According to the polling, 38% believed the Government was bringing down energy costs, while 40% disagreed. Just 27% believed Mr Burnham and Chancellor John Healey were cutting the cost of living, with 51% disagreeing.
Only 24% said the Labour Government was improving Britain's defence and security, with 42% disagreeing.
Comparison with Previous Budgets
Luke Tryl, UK director at More in Common, said voters had been even less impressed by Budgets delivered by Mr Healey's predecessor, Rachel Reeves. He said: “While we heard from voters that Starmer simply didn't understand nor care about the pressures they face, Burnham has convinced voters that, at the very least, he is trying.”
He added: “But that might not be quite enough. Burnham has promised to radically transform the economy and, for many people, the Budget didn't live up to those pledges.”
Verdict on Leadership
Tryl continued: “Most say this Budget was tinkering around the edges rather than delivering structural fixes, and far more see it as too short-term than too long-term. That's not to say that the public don't appreciate small, incremental changes: Britons want visible, near-term improvements, but they also want to see that there is a long-term plan to deliver change.”
The polling found that 46% said Mr Burnham tends to do what is popular even if it is not right for the country, and 34% said he makes difficult decisions even when they are unpopular.
