Voters back tax rise to fund NHS, poll shows

Most voters would be prepared to pay more in income tax if it was earmarked for spending on the National Health Service, according to pollsters.

A total of 53 per cent of those surveyed by ComRes said they were willing to pay an additional 1 per cent or more in income tax, amid rising concern about the financial sustainability of the health service.

However, the research, which has been shared exclusively with the Financial Times, revealed marked differences based on party allegiance.

Conservative and UK Independence party supporters were much less willing to pay more than potential Labour and Liberal Democrat voters. Overall, about a third of all adults surveyed said they would not be prepared to pay anything extra.

This included almost half of Ukip backers and four out of 10 of those who intend voting for Conservatives.

Among Labour and Lib Dem supporters about a quarter said they would not pay more for the NHS.

The poll, which was commissioned by public affairs consultancy Westminster Advisers, also uncovered broad concerns about geographic variations in the provision of healthcare services.

A total of 84 per cent said it was "unfair that provisions of healthcare services currently varies depending on where you live, rather than on medical need".

About eight out of 10 voters felt there should be "universal criteria for who is eligible for specific healthcare services through the NHS".

Ian Targett, director of Westminster Advisers, said the data revealed "a tension in the public's attitudes on the health service". Voters liked the idea of greater local decision making but also wanted access to the same provision in different localities.

"This requires a delicate balancing act in the next parliament for policy makers and organisations working with the NHS," he said.

This week research for the FT underlined the failure so far of the health service to make the big strides forward in productivity required to close an estimated £30bn funding gap by around the end of the decade.

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