Majority of voters support cuts to migrants’ benefits, poll shows
Sixty-two per cent of voters advocate for benefit cuts for migrants to help reduce the United Kingdom’s increasingly significant welfare bill, new polling has revealed, reports BritPanorama.
The polling, conducted by Charlesbye and Merlin Strategy, also found that reductions targeting young people not in work garnered support from only 38 per cent of respondents, while a mere 18 per cent favoured savings from those with mental health conditions.
In total, only 30 per cent of the populace favours significant overall cuts before identifying areas for potential savings. This suggests a reluctance among voters to drastically alter welfare spending without careful targeting, a sentiment reflected in the current discourse surrounding the welfare state.
The Labour Party had previously sought to cut the welfare bill by £5 billion last summer but faced significant backlash from backbench MPs, stalling any progress on the matter. As local elections approach, Labour is anticipated to face challenges at the polls.
The poll indicates that only 14 per cent of recent defectors from Labour would consider returning to the party or switching allegiance to the Tories. It also uncovered that an additional 31 per cent of voters would contemplate supporting a new political party, highlighting the shifting landscape of voter loyalty.
Overall, 66 per cent of respondents believe the country is moving in the wrong direction, while just 21 per cent feel it is on the right path. Lee Cain, founding partner at Charlesbye, stated, “Voters have been demanding change for more than a decade, and Westminster’s traditional parties have shown themselves unable or unwilling to deliver it.” Cain added that discontent among these voters is likely to persist, leading them to seek alternatives if current insurgent parties fall short of expectations.
The findings are derived from a national survey conducted with 4,209 adults between 2nd April 2026 and 16th April 2026.
This polling illustrates a clear shift in voter sentiment regarding welfare policies, underscoring deep-seated concerns over the effectiveness of current political solutions. Moving forward, political parties will need to navigate these sentiments carefully to maintain electoral support amidst growing calls for change.
