New polling shows plummeting support for Osborne and widespread dissatisfaction with his budget proposals

The scale of the damage Budget 2016 has done to the government is becoming clearer. New Ipsos MORI research shows a sharp drop-off in satisfaction with Chancellor George Osborne and majority dissatisfaction with his Budget.

David Cameron has also taken a hit. His net satisfaction score has hit its lowest point since 2013 and, even more painfully, he has been overtaken by Jeremy Corbyn, whose popularity has increased following his response to the Budget.

• Asked about their satisfaction with Osborne, 60 per cent say they are dissatisfied (+14), while 27 per cent say they are satisfied (-13)
• Asked about their satisfaction with David Cameron, 59 per cent are dissatisfied while 34 are satisfied (-5), leaving the PM with a net satisfaction score of -25.
• Asked about their satisfaction with Jeremy Corbyn, 35 per cent report satisfaction (+5) and 46 per cent say dissatisfied, leaving him with a net satisfaction score of -11.

The Budget itself has been very negatively received, with a majority of 53 per cent saying that the proposals it contained are bad for the country. And despite all the Chancellor’s talk of ‘a Budget for the next generation’, 53 per cent of people believe his policies are bad for the next generation.

The attack on disability benefits is, as expected, resoundingly unpopular. 84 per cent of people are opposed to the proposal, including 71 per cent of Conservative voters.

Overall, the Government still holds a narrow lead in voting intentions. 36 per cent said that if a general election were called tomorrow they would vote Tory, against 34 per cent who reported that they would vote Labour.

Gideon Skinner, head of political research at Ipsos Mori, commented:

“It’s been one of the worst weeks for the Conservatives since the election in terms of public opinion. Public reaction to the Budget is in 2012 ‘omnishambles’ territory, and on some measures even worse, while also dragging David Cameron’s personal ratings to their lowest for three years.  The drop in confidence in the government’s long-term economic plan – crucial to their election victory – is another cause for concern, but only if Labour can take advantage.”

Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin is editor of Left Foot Forward

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