Two thirds (64%) of the UK public say they would ‘be happy for the amount of tax they personally pay to increase in order to fund a pay rise for nurses in the NHS’, including half (49%) of 2024 Conservative voters, according to new research from polling company Savanta.
One quarter (27%) say they would be unhappy to pay increased taxes to fund nurse pay rises, with 9% saying they don’t know.
Savanta’s findings suggest that the UK public are more likely to say they’d be willing to pay more taxes personally than not, to fund:
- Pay rise for NHS nurses (64% support, 27% oppose)
- Recruit and train more police officers (49% support, 38% oppose)
- Pay rise for teachers (48% support, 41% oppose)
- Better equipment for armed forces (46% support, 41% oppose)
However, the public is narrowly more likely say they’re unhappy to pay more taxes to fund new infrastructure projects (44%), than say they’re happy to (42%).
Savanta’s research also suggests that there has been a small increase in the proportion of UK voters who think it is likely that Labour will increase capital gains tax (62%, up from 60% in June) and inheritance tax (60%, up from 56% in June).
The UK public think it is less likely that Labour will increase VAT (48%, the same as in June) and stamp duty (48%, down from 50% in June).
Chris Hopkins, Political Research Director at Savanta said, “Across every political party’s supporters – including the Conservatives, Labour, Lib Dems and Reform UK – voters are more likely to say they would be willing to pay more taxes to fund a pay rises for NHS nurses. They are less willing to pay more taxes for other public services such as police officers and teachers.”
“It’s also clear much of the public don’t necessarily think they will be personally paying more taxes. They think it’s more likely that capital gains and inheritance tax will be going up – comparatively narrow taxes that few people pay, next to VAT and national insurance.”
