Talking tax reforms with the public
In an interview with the Sunday Telegraph (27th August) Rachel Reeves, Shadow Chancellor appears to have ruled out introducing wealth taxes if Labour form the next government. This includes increasing capital gains taxes in line with income taxes, putting up the top rate of income tax or introducing a mansion tax on the most expensive houses. “We have no plans for a wealth tax,” she said. “We don’t have any plans to increase taxes outside of what we’ve said. I don’t see the way to prosperity as being through taxation. I want to grow the economy.”
Over the last 4 years, research that we have conducted with Survation, Tax Justice UK and New Economics Foundation shows that this change of direction for the Shadow Chancellor is out of step with public opinion. Our focus group work shows that whilst talking about tax can be complicated (with good reason, it is complicated!), people of all political backgrounds are supportive of fairer and more responsible taxation when framed clearly and linked to the impact could have on public services, particularly the NHS.
In focus groups, when talking about taxing wealth some voters can be concerned about how this might impact on middle earners, but when it came to policies such as equalising the rate of tax between capital gains and income from work there was significant support. Similarly, the idea of taxing the super-rich with a mansion tax was equally popular in focus groups from Blythe Walley to Esher and Walton.
In March, we presented our extensive focus group research on this topic at a session convened by the APPG on anti-corruption and responsible taxation. Listening to voters suggests that Rachel Reeves may have missed a real opportunity to make a bold and ambitious plan on wealth taxes that would bring the public along and give a welcome boost to public finances.
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Jane Carn: jane@pearl-research.co.uk
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Pearl Research & Strategy provides bold and purposeful research for clients that strive to make a difference.
Jane Carn: jane@pearl-research.co.uk
website by:
beckyismyname.co.uk
© Copyright 2023. Pearl Research & Strategy Ltd. All rights reserved.