Budget 2015: what voters think of possible measures

William JordanUS Elections Editor
March 18, 2015, 11:06 AM GMT+0

YouGov polling for the Sunday Times reveals the most popular - and less popular - measures that might be included in today's Budget

As George Osborne makes the final and most political budget announcement of this Parliament, setting the tone for the beginning of the election campaign and potentially freeing the deadlock in the polls, YouGov research reveals what a popular budget might look like.

Easily the most successful policy is an increase in the personal tax allowance from £10,000 to £11,000, supported by 83% and opposed by only 5%. Coupled with a rise in the National Insurance threshold so it is no longer paid by low earners, which is supported by 71% and opposed by only 15%, a package of tax cuts for low-earners would be a wise move for the Chancellor.

Limiting child benefit so it is only paid for a maximum of three children is a highly popular policy, supported by 73% – including 64% of Labour voters – and opposed by only 18%. Capping the maximum amount of benefits a household can receive at £23,000, down from £26,000 would be complementary, supported by 63% in total and 50% of Labour voters.

Beyond that, however, the rest of the policies lose their bipartisan appeal, and are supported by fewer than half of Labour voters.

PA images

See the full poll results