Opinium reveals the nation?s views on UK tax
Opinium reveals the nation?s views on UK tax
- Almost three in five Brits believe taxes in the UK are too high (57%)
- Three quarters of UK adults think the Government should do more to close loopholes (74%)
- Almost half of Brits believe the Government spends the tax budget wrongly (46%)
- Two in five Brits do not have a sufficient income post-tax (42%)
Over half believe taxes in the UK are already too high (57%) while a further three quarters think that the Government should do more to close any loopholes that allow tax avoidance (74%). Opinium Research also found that nearly half of Brits don?t agree with the way the Government spend the tax budget (46%) and two in five Brits don?t feel that their income is adequate after tax (42%).
Is paying cash in hand ?morally wrong??
After Treasury minister David Gauke described paying your plumber in cash to get a discount as ‘morally wrong’ we wanted to find out whether his views matched those of the British public.
Whilst 63% of Brits agree with the statement ?It is morally wrong to try to legally avoid paying tax?, and 30% claim to avoid purchasing items from businesses that use tax avoidance schemes when it comes to paying cash in hand attitudes appear a little clear cut.
Whilst 28% agree that it is ‘morally wrong’ to pay tradesmen cash in hand, 37% disagree with this statement indicating that David Gauke?s statements may not tally with the attitudes of the British public.
James Endersby, managing director of Opinium Research said:
?It is interesting to see that the majority of Brits already think that taxes are too high and many feel like their salary isn?t enough after tax. We hope that any future regulations on tax are concluded fairly for Brits, taking into account the varying levels of means households have at their disposal.?
Opinium Research carried out an online survey of 2,016 UK adults aged 18+ from 22nd to 24th August 2012. Results have been weighted to nationally representative criteria.
