A recent poll conducted by Ipsos has revealed that many people in Britain are unhappy with Rachel Reeves, the current Chancellor. The poll shows that only 15% of Britons believe she is doing a good job, while nearly 70% think she made a mistake by cutting winter fuel payments for most pensioners, leaving only the poorest eligible for the support. This decision has caused widespread anger, with 67% of Britons opposing it, including a majority of Labour, Liberal Democrat, Conservative, and Reform UK voters.
The poll also highlights growing concerns about the economy. Almost half of the respondents (47%) expect unemployment to rise, and only 9% think it will decrease. More than half (52%) feel less confident about economic growth under Reeves’ leadership, with just 14% expressing more confidence. Her approval rating is almost as low as that of Kwasi Kwarteng, who faced heavy criticism for his mini-Budget in 2022, which many blame for causing economic chaos.
Reeves has faced criticism from both the public and political figures. Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride accused her of poor judgment, saying her policies have led to economic failure and broken promises. He argued that Reeves is out of her depth and that the public is suffering as a result. Some Labour MPs have also warned that the decision to cut winter fuel payments has caused significant damage to the government’s reputation and sparked widespread anger.
In addition to the backlash over pensioner support, Reeves is under scrutiny for her employment history and expenses during her time at Halifax Bank of Scotland. Some within her own party have suggested that there are people around her and Labour leader Keir Starmer who want her removed from her position.
Charities like Age UK have urged Reeves to reconsider the winter fuel payment cuts, warning that many pensioners are already struggling to afford heating and are putting their health at risk. Caroline Abrahams of Age UK called for immediate action to avoid a “disaster next winter.”
The Ipsos poll also found that many Britons are unhappy with Reeves’ decision to increase employers’ National Insurance contributions, which critics have labeled a “jobs tax” that could lead to higher unemployment. Over half (53%) of respondents believe this was the wrong move. Business leaders, including John Longworth of the Independent Business Network, have called for Reeves to be fired, accusing her of crashing the economy and creating a cycle of stagnation and inflation.
Recent economic data shows that the economy grew by just 0.1% in the last quarter of 2024, following no growth in the previous three months. The Bank of England has also reduced its growth forecast for the year to just 0.75%. There are fears that Reeves may have to announce spending cuts if the Office for Budget Responsibility warns that she is at risk of breaking her own fiscal rules.
Maxwell Marlow of the Adam Smith Institute criticized the recent Budget, saying it has worsened the economic situation by increasing taxes instead of reducing the burden on businesses. He called on Reeves to reverse the National Insurance increase immediately. Similarly, Reform UK MP Lee Anderson accused Reeves of being out of her depth and harming British households. He urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to take action and reverse her tax hikes.
Despite the criticism, Reeves has defended her record, arguing that it is impossible to fix more than a decade of poor economic performance in just a few months. She insists that her policies are necessary to bring stability to the economy and encourage investment, which she describes as the “lifeblood of a successful economy.” A government spokesperson also defended the cuts to winter fuel payments, highlighting other forms of support for pensioners, such as the triple lock on state pensions and the warm home discount.
However, Reeves does have some public support for certain policies. For example, 56% of Britons agree with her decision to impose VAT on private school fees, including 76% of Labour voters. There is also strong support for increased NHS funding, with a £22.6 billion boost for day-to-day spending and an additional £3.1 billion for capital investment.
Overall, the poll paints a mixed picture of Reeves’ performance as Chancellor. While she has some support for specific policies, the majority of Britons are critical of her handling of the economy and her decisions on issues like winter fuel payments and National Insurance contributions. With the economy struggling and public confidence low, Reeves faces significant challenges in the months ahead.
