September 17, 2007

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many people in Britain think their government is not spending taxpayers’ money responsibly, according to a poll by YouGov. 34 per cent of respondents rate the value they get from paying taxes to the central government as poor, while the same number rate it as just average.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many people in Britain think their government is not spending taxpayers’ money responsibly, according to a poll by YouGov. 34 per cent of respondents rate the value they get from paying taxes to the central government as poor, while the same number rate it as just average.

An additional 54 per cent of respondents think that over the past decade the government has got worse at spending taxpayers’ money. When asked what the most important causes of wasteful spending in government currently are, at least 60 per cent of respondents cite constant changes and re-branding, government bureaucracy, and money spent on the wrong things.

In June, Gordon Brown officially became Labour leader and prime minister, replacing Tony Blair. Brown had worked as chancellor of the exchequer. Blair served as Britain’s prime minister since May 1997, winning majority mandates in the 1997, 2001 and 2005 elections to the House of Commons.

On Sept. 13, Derek Wanless—a former adviser to Brown—released a report on the country’s National Health Service (NHS). Wanless said the NHS could collapse within the next 15 years because of its high cost. The report stressed that patient care has improved in recent years, waiting times have been reduced, survival rates have increased and staff numbers have grown. However, it also stated: "What is equally clear from this review is that we are not on course to deliver the sustainable and world class health care system, and ultimately the healthier nation, that we all desire."

Polling Data

How would you rate the value you personally get from taxes you pay to central government?

Excellent	1%
Good	6%
Average	34%
Poor	34%
Bad	16%
Don’t know	8%

Do you think government has got better or worse at spending taxpayers’ money over the last ten years?

Better	11%
Worse	54%
No difference	25%
Don’t know	10%

Which of the following do you think are the most important causes of wasteful spending in government? (Please tick up to three)

Constant changes, reorganizations and re-branding	66%
Government bureaucracy	62%
Money spent on the wrong things	60%
Inexperienced politicians and civil servants	31%
Presentation and public relations	20%
Other	3%
None of these	1%
Don’t know	5%

Source: YouGov

Methodology: Online interviews with 2,162 British adults, conducted from Aug. 28 to Aug. 30, 2007. No margin of error was provided.