The Independent Political Poll

A public opinion poll on behalf of The Independent.

Date Published: 04 Sep 2011

Categories: Energy | Media | Politics | Public and communities | Technology & Telecoms | UK

Description

George Osborne’s plan to scrap the 50p top rate of income tax is seen as unfair by voters across the political spectrum, according to a ComRes survey for The Independent.

 
A majority of people (57 per cent) agree that abolishing the 50p rate would show we are not “all in it together” as the Chancellor has claimed when defending the Government’s spending cuts.  This view is shared by 67 per cent of Liberal Democrat supporters, 64 per cent of Labour supporters and 54 per cent of Conservative supporters.  Overall, only 31 per cent disagree.

However, the poll also found that 56 per cent of people believe that scrapping the 50p rate, which applies to earnings over £150,000 a year, would encourage entrepreneurs to stay in Britain, while 34 per cent disagree.
There is strong support across the spectrum for Liberal Democrat calls for new taxes to be imposed on wealth such as property, rather than income, to ensure the very rich pay their fair share. Some 71 per cent agree with this proposal, while 24 per cent disagree.

Some 63 per cent believe that tax cuts for businesses should be given more priority than for individuals in order to stimulate growth, while 27 per cent disagree.

Labour’s lead over the Tories has dropped from two points to one since the most recent ComRes survey for the Independent on Sunday published on August 21. The latest figures are: Labour 38 per cent (down two points), Tories 37 per cent (down one point), Liberal Democrats 11 per cent (no change) and other parties 14 per cent (up three points).

ComRes telephoned 1,000 GB adults on 2nd - 4th September 2011.  Data were weighted by past vote recall.  ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.