Brits think Government can fix it—from Iran war energy prices, to homelessness, to pensions, says new poll
Half of Britons believe ministers can protect pensions and shield households from rising bills, while many think bold moves like ending homelessness and introducing a basic income are within reach
There is a striking thread running through new research that will raise eyebrows in Westminster and beyond. At a time when households are still feeling the squeeze, many Britons have not given up on the idea that government can step in and make life fairer.
Fresh data from More in Common suggests that belief in the power of the state remains stronger than some might expect. Far from a public that has lost faith, the findings point to a country that still sees government as a force capable of meaningful change in the cost-of-living crisis.
At the heart of it is a simple but potent idea. People think solutions are possible.
Immediate problems
Take pensions. The so-called triple lock has long been a political battleground, yet 51 per cent of those surveyed believe the government could commit to maintaining it for another ten years. That is no small expectation given the pressure on public finances. It signals that for many, protecting older generations is not only desirable but achievable.
Energy bills are another flashpoint. With global instability pushing up costs, half of respondents, 50 per cent, believe the government could subsidise people’s bills to shield them from the impact of the war in Iran. This is a public that clearly thinks ministers have tools at their disposal and should be willing to use them.
Bigger ambitions
Perhaps most striking is the optimism around some of the country’s most entrenched problems. Nearly half, 48 per cent, believe the government could end homelessness. For an issue that has persisted for decades, that figure reveals a surprising level of confidence that political will, if applied, could bring about real change.
Even more ambitious is the idea of a Universal Basic Income. Once seen as a fringe proposal, it is now considered within reach by a significant share of the public. Some 43 per cent believe the government could introduce such a scheme for everyone. That suggests a growing openness to bold economic interventions aimed at reshaping society, a conversation that will no doubt grow as AI continues to threaten our jobs.
People think a fair future is possible
The findings cut against a familiar narrative that voters have lost faith in big government solutions. While trust in politicians themselves may fluctuate, belief in the capacity of government to act remains resilient.
Of course, believing something can be done is very different from agreeing on how to do it or who should pay. The cost of these policies would be enormous and the political trade-offs significant. Yet the data suggests that the public mood is not one of resignation.
There is, instead, a sense of possibility.
For ministers grappling with the cost-of-living crisis, that presents both an opportunity and a challenge. The opportunity lies in a public that is still willing to believe in ambitious action. The challenge is that such belief raises expectations that will be difficult to meet.
In the end, this snapshot of opinion reveals a country that has not given up on the idea of economic fairness. If anything, it shows that many Britons are still waiting for a government bold enough to deliver it.