Summary
Recent data reveals a significant shift in British attitudes towards taxation and public spending, with a record 19% of the population now advocating for cuts to both taxes and public services. This figure has more than doubled in just four years, indicating a growing sentiment among the public that taxes should be reduced even if it means decreased funding for essential services like the NHS and education. Conversely, support for increasing taxes to enhance public spending has dropped from 55% in 2022 to 36% in the latest survey.
The discussion highlights a long-standing trend in public opinion, often explained through the "thermostatic theory," which suggests that public attitudes react to government policies. As the government increases taxes and spending, public support for such measures tends to wane, and vice versa. This dynamic has evolved over the past four decades, with the latest data showing a notable increase in those favoring tax cuts alongside reduced public spending, a viewpoint that had previously remained below 10% since the question was first posed in 1983.
Experts in the episode also explore the implications of these changing attitudes on welfare spending priorities. There is a marked decline in support for retirement benefits, which were once the top priority for public spending, while interest in child benefits has surged. This shift reflects broader concerns about fairness and the perception of deservingness in welfare distribution, as many individuals express a desire for public funds to be directed towards families and children rather than pensioners.
The conversation further delves into the political polarization surrounding tax and spending attitudes, with a growing divide between supporters of different political parties. Research indicates that nearly half of Labour and Liberal Democrat supporters favor increased taxation, while only one in five Conservative voters share this view. This widening gap suggests that attitudes towards taxation are becoming a defining issue in British politics, influenced by both personal economic circumstances and broader narratives in the media and political discourse.
Show Notes
In this episode, Mark and guests explore public attitudes towards tax, wealth and public spending in Britain today. Drawing on findings from the latest British Social Attitudes survey and qualitative research on inequality and welfare, the episode covers why attitudes towards taxation may be shifting, how people think about wealth and fairness, and the role that trust, lived experience and perceptions of government play in shaping public opinion.
Kate Summers is a Research Fellow at the London School of Economics whose research explores public attitudes towards economic inequality, welfare and related policies.
Alex Scholes is a Research Director at the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), where he leads on delivery of the British Social Attitudes survey.
Research and publications discussed
BSA 43 | A First Look Living on Different Incomes in London: Can public consensus identify a 'riches line'? Claiming Deservingness: Social Security and Public Narratives During the Pandemic Deliberating Inequality: Developing Qualitative Approaches to Understanding Inequality Beliefs
About the data
This episode draws on findings from the British Social Attitudes survey and other research carried out by NatCen, as well as work produced by independent researchers and academic institutions exploring public attitudes towards taxation, welfare, inequality and public spending. References and further reading can be found via the links above.
Acknowledgments
With thanks to our guests, contributors and the team at Capital City College for their support with the recording and editing of this podcast. We're grateful to everyone who has taken part in NatCen's research over the years. Their experiences and perspectives help us better understand life in Britain today.
ATTITUDES explores a range of issues and viewpoints through conversations with expert guests. The opinions expressed during these discussions are those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies or positions of the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
More from Attitudes
In this episode, Mark and guests explore what it means to be a man in Britain today. Drawing on social research and public attitudes data, they discuss how ideas about masculinity are evolving and the role gender continues to play in shaping perceptions of political leadership. Why are qualities such as decisiveness and authority often associated with leadership? Have attitudes changed as more women have entered public life and politics? And what do these assumptions tell us about modern Britain?
In this episode, Mark and guests explore what the latest research reveals about public attitudes towards cannabis, from support for legalisation to perceptions of its risks and impact on society. Drawing on evidence from NatCen and wider social research, they discuss how views on cannabis have shifted across generations, why younger people are increasingly supportive of change, and what the data tells us about the gap between public opinion and current policy.
In this episode, Mark and guests explore what the latest British Social Attitudes data reveals about public opinion on universities and higher education, from the value of a degree to concerns about student debt and graduate outcomes. They discuss why trust in the system appears to be falling, and what the data shows beneath the growing narrative of disillusionment with UK higher education.
In this episode, Mark and guests explore what the latest British Social Attitudes data reveals about public opinion on AI, from healthcare and welfare to surveillance and policing. They discuss why concerns differ across contexts, what people want from regulation, and whether government policy is keeping pace with public expectations.
A new podcast from the National Centre for Social Research exploring the ideas, opinions and trends shaping Britain today through the lens of robust social research.