The poll follows widespread concerns over Labour’s Spending Review and the economic impact on households.
Conducted by Yonder on behalf of climate and nature campaign group Zero Hour, the survey of 2,000 UK adults calls into question public trust in the government’s current spending plans.
Among other things, results showed just 12% of people believe they will be better off after Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ fiscal announcement last Wednesday.
77% of respondents also said they wanted to see tax hikes against companies causing high levels of pollution, which should be used to pay for public services and energy projects.
Meanwhile, 67% do not believe new homes and infrastructure should come at the expense of the planet and 49% want stronger environmental safeguards to be introduced. Net zero and biodiversity plans should be put forward for public consultation, too.
‘These findings show the Government must urgently get to grips with the cost-of-living crisis, alongside taking bold action to hold the nation’s big polluting companies to account while setting out clear plans for a fair transition to net zero,’ said Dr Amy McDonnell, Co-Director of Zero Hour.
‘We know we cannot address both our economic and environmental challenges in isolation. We need more investment into our crumbling public services alongside the rapid development of cleaner energy infrastructure to lower bills, alongside strong safeguards to protect nature,’ she continued. ‘We know the climate and nature crises threats we face pose the biggest risk to those on the lowest incomes. Ministers would be wise to redouble their efforts to address these head on by adopting the level of ambition set out in the Climate and Nature Bill.’
Image: Felix Fuchs / Unsplash
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