‘Positive steps’ but ‘more work to be done’: Labour voters’ verdict on Autumn Statement 

A snap study of Labour voters, carried out by JL Partners on behalf of 38 Degrees, suggests the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement has been received as a ‘good start’ by many, with strong support in particular for moves to raise the minimum wage and commit £22 billion of extra funding to the NHS. 

Conducted in the wake of Chancellor Rachel Reeve’s first budget announcement on Wednesday, the rapid response voter panel study suggests many people feel the announcements represented ‘positive steps’ but are keen to see the government be ‘less tepid’ and go further more quickly when it comes to narrowing the gap between the wealthiest and poorest. 

But it isn’t all good news:  Labour voters are already livid about the winter fuel allowance being scrapped for all but the very very poorest pensioners, and the news that bus fares are set to go up by 50% sparked anger amongst the panel, labelling it a ‘disgraceful decision’. 

Voters summed up the budget over all as “‘a reasonable budget” and  “a good start” where the Government are “doing some things right and some things wrong” and that “there is still more work to be done.” 

The Labour voters in this snap panel voted for change. They voted for help with the cost of living. And they voted to save the NHS. What they saw in this budget was a down payment on the bold change they want to see. Labour will need to deliver the promises of this budget without delay if they want to keep their voters on side through this parliament and into the next election.

Here are a selection of the results:

Asked ‘based on what you’ve heard, do you feel this Budget addresses the biggest financial challenges currently facing you and your household?’, answers from the panel included:

Female, 34, Administrator: “Yes, there will be a rise in minimum wage and also as a working mother there will be help for childcare.” 

 Female, 70, who does not work: “No. There isn’t anything substantial to help with the cost of living. Nothing for poorer pensioners.”

Male, 57, Manager: “I volunteer at local NHS hospital and foodbank and am confident these measures are painful for many but necessary to address serious health and society issues that have accumulated over many years” 

Female, 42, IT Manager: “This national minimum wage going up is great and the national insurance contributions by employers not employees is a good thing. The investment into the NHS is much needed and Rachel Reeves has done an excellent job with trying to get us back in track” 

Male, 26, Director: “They need to address what really matters to the UK, rising prices on everything where people can’t afford to eat decently” 

Of the participants, about 1 in 3 (31%) said that it did address their financial concerns with 1 in 3 (35%) saying it did not (the rest were neutral or did not know).

In reference to Keir Starmer’s statement that “those with the broadest shoulders” should bear the heavier burden of taxation, panellists were asked for their views about  the changes to Capital Gains Tax and a 6.7% rise in the National Living Wage announced. Answers included:

Female, 38, Sales Assistant: “It’s a good start, but there is definitely more that could be done.” 

Female, 37, Teacher: “I think it’s a start but they haven’t done things like removing the two child benefit cap.” 

Male, 60, Foreman: “I would have liked to have seen the highest earners in the country pay more tax” 

Female, 24, Unemployed musician and artist: “It could go further but its the best news we have had in 14 years” 

Male, 34, Manager: “It does not go far enough considering rises in other taxes” (Male, ‘Manager’, 34)

Asked  whether the decision to raise the bus fare cap from £2 to £3 was the right decision, responses included: 

Male, 29, Analyst: “Scrapping the £2 bus fare cap is a disgraceful decision that will harm the poorest in society, and discourage public transport at a time when it is needed more than ever.  Working people need to get to work, nobody chooses the bus.  You’re on a bus because you have to be!”

Female, 49, Finance Administrator: “I think it will have an impact on people taking fewer journeys by bus and increase using cars more” 

Male, 26, Director: “No, they’re taking away from the poorest of people again” 

Female, 33, in Customer Service: “No. The people who take the bus are less likely to be well off because they don’t have a car. Why punish them? This will discourage people from using public transport. Public transport should be subsidised, not made more expensive.”

Female, 35, in Banking and Finance: “Yes I think it a right decision because the bus fare cap for next year £2 to £3 is really not bad”

In a question around the £22.6 billion announced to fund the NHS, the panel were asked what their experiences of the NHS have been over the last year and what difference think this would make:

Male, 41, Sports Writer: “Vital that the NHS gets more money as they do a brilliant job.” 

Male, 57, Manager: “I [have] volunteered at a local NHS hospital for 5 years and see at first hand the staff shortages and stress under funding is causing” 

Female, 65, Small business owner: “My sister had to pay £16000 for a knee replacement because she was in too much pain to wait over a year. It’s also impossible to get to see a GP without a 2-3 week wait. The money needs to be spent where it’s needed most” 

Male, 73, who does not work: “‘22.6 billion sounds like a lot but I think the devil is in the detail of how it will be spent and managed to be of any value.” 

Female, 70, who does not work: “It won’t make much difference. I spent 11 hours including overnight in A&E with my 94 year old father. It is better systems which are needed” 

Finally, participants were asked for their view on Keir Starmer, Rachel Reeves and the Labour government, following today’s budget: 

Male, 25, Project Manager: “I think they have started their reign well and look interested to see what develops over next few months.”

Female, 25, Teacher: “I think they are making positive steps but they could be less tepid and make bigger changes – like charging a windfall tax on energy companies.” 

Female, 31, Nurse: I would like to think they are trying to make a difference with what they have been left from [the] previous government, i.e. needing to raise more money. I am glad the NHS is being prioritised in this budget. “

Male, 35, Software Developer “I had expected a lot better from the Labour party but it’s not good, all the prices going higher.” 

Male, 48, Builder: “High hopes at the moment but just have to wait and see if [they are] true to their words”. 

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The JL Partners/38 Degrees Rapid Response Voter Panel was used to ask a sample of 102 UK adults who voted for Labour in 2024 online to share their instantaneous reaction to breaking news. In an update on traditional focus groups, JL Partners ask people to explain their views and dig underneath the surface of support or opposition. The sample is collected using web-intercept polling in accordance with MRS and BPC guidelines and data tables are available shortly after publication.

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Veronica Hawking press@38degrees.org.uk