Poll suggests fears over plans for tax rates

A NEW poll appears to reveal public concern over the direction of the government’s tax plans, particularly George Osborne’s stated aim of scrapping the top rate of 50p for the highest earners.

While 57 per cent oppose scrapping the 50p rate, 67 per cent of the 1,000 people polled by ComRes believe that business taxes should be prioritised instead.

The poll shows that 54 per cent of the Chancellor’s own Conservative Party also oppose scrapping the top rate. However, it also found that 56 per cent of people believe that scrapping the 50p rate would encourage entrepreneurs to stay in Britain, while only 34 per cent disagree.

The Liberal Democrat’s call for new taxes to be imposed on wealth such as property, rather than income, to ensure the very rich pay their fair share received 71 per cent support.

But in good news for Mr Osborne and the Tories, the poll also shows that Labour’s lead over them has dropped since the most recent ComRes survey on 21 August.

The latest figures put Labour down two points on 38 per cent, the Tories down one on 37, and no change for the Liberal Democrats on 11.