# Majority of Britons pessimistic about future of UK economy as 70% expect Budget tax hike, new polling shows

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/majority-of-britons-pessimistic-about-future-of-uk-economy-as-70-expect-budget-tax-hike-new-polling-shows/
- Published: 2026-10-28T00:01:09+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-28T01:27:18+00:00
- Original publisher: The Independent (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/john-healey-budget-tax-rises-economy-b3074324.html
- Topics: Business, Economy, Elections, Politics, UK, World

## Key points

- Two-thirds expect the UK economy to worsen over the next year.
- 70 per cent think their taxes are likely to rise.
- Healey faces pressure to fund defence and cost-of-living pledges.

## Summary

A new Ipsos poll found that two-thirds of Britons expect the UK economy to worsen over the next year, while 70 per cent think the government is likely to raise their taxes. The findings point to widespread economic anxiety as Chancellor John Healey prepares his first Budget, with pressure to fund defence commitments and the government’s cost-of-living policies.

The poll found that 14 per cent expect the economy to improve and 17 per cent think personal tax rises are unlikely. Some 67 per cent expect government borrowing and national debt to increase, while 51 per cent anticipate higher public-service spending. Healey must also explain how the government will fund £5bn in defence spending announced in May, alongside policies including changes to Carers’ Allowance.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.