March 21, 2005

Abstract: (Angus Reid Consultants - CPOD Global Scan) - Many adults in Britain believe their government's new spending plan is even-handed, according to a poll by YouGov published in the Daily Telegraph. 44 per cent of respondents think the budget is fair.

(Angus Reid Consultants - CPOD Global Scan) - Many adults in Britain believe their government's new spending plan is even-handed, according to a poll by YouGov published in the Daily Telegraph. 44 per cent of respondents think the budget is fair.

On Mar. 16, chancellor of the exchequer Gordon Brown delivered this year's budget to the House of Commons. Brown defined the document—which includes tax relief for home buyers and retired pensioners—as a balance between "tax cuts that are affordable, investments that are essential and stability that is paramount."

Conservative leader Michael Howard criticized the budget, saying, "(The Labour party's) only answer is to tax, to spend and to waste—to get people to vote now and pay later."

Britain must renew the House of Commons by June 2006. There is growing speculation that an election will take place in May 2005.

Polling Data

Do you think the budget is a fair one, or not?

	2005	2004	2003	2002
Yes, is fair	44%	45%	52%	62%
No, is not	29%	32%	29%	28%
Don't know	27%	23%	19%	10%

Source: YouGov / Daily Telegraph
Methodology: Online interviews to 2,002 British adults, conducted from Mar. 11 to Mar. 14, 2005. No margin of error was provided.