Press Association: Higher tax 'unacceptable to public'

By Andrew Woodcock, PA Chief Political Correspondent

A vast majority of voters (82%) oppose any increase in the tax burden, according to a poll released today.

The survey found that almost half of those questioned (44%) would like the party they support to promise tax cuts and 40% would be more likely to vote for a party if it signed a pledge not to increase taxes.

Around two-thirds of those taking part in the poll for the TaxPayers' Alliance, which campaigns for lower taxation, said the Government spent too much money, and a similar majority (65%) said public cash poured into health and education over the past decade had been badly spent.

Almost two-thirds (63%) thought that few senior politicians had the necessary experience and expertise to run major public services, and 62% said that Britain's system of government could be improved 'quite a lot'' or 'a great deal''.

The survey, carried out ahead of the political conference season, suggests a significant turnaround compared with the 1990s, when voters regularly voiced their readiness to pay more tax for better public services.

In this poll, just 6% said they would like to see taxes rise and 38% think they should be held at their present level. But 79% said they expected their overall tax burden to be higher in three years.

It comes at a time when Conservative leader David Cameron is resisting pressure from his grassroots to promise tax cuts.

Although he insists the Tories remain a tax-cutting party, he has insisted he will not promise uncosted upfront reductions in tax in the run-up to the next general election. Shadow chancellor George Osborne recently pledged to match Labour's public spending plans for each of the next three years.

But the TaxPayers' Alliance survey found 85% of Tory supporters - and half of those who identified themselves as Labour backers - thought the Government spent too much.

Around three-quarters of those questioned (77%) thought a fair rate of tax was 25% of household income - compared with the 35% currently levied on the average household.

Council tax was seen as the most unfair tax and the top priority for cuts. Respondents identified it as their second biggest financial anxiety, with 61% naming it a major worry, compared with 65% who mentioned utility bills.

More than a third (37%) said the rising tax burden was a major financial worry.

When asked how they would spend a £1,000 tax cut, some 54% said they would use it for savings, reducing debt and topping-up a pension, rather than splashing out in the shops.

Matthew Elliott, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance said: 'We are entering a new phase in British politics.

'The public are warming to tax cuts because of the poor returns to higher spending on public services and a strong belief that there are significant levels of waste in government.

'Scepticism about the competence of politicians to manage public services has never been so high. Voters want better government and lower taxes and the party that adopts this modern agenda will reap the electoral rewards.''

:: YouGov questioned 2,162 adults for the TaxPayers' Alliance between August 28 and 30.