In May 2024 The International Monetary Fund warned Britain's government that it was on course to miss its debt target and said tax rises, rather than cuts, were likely to be needed to repair the public finances after the COVID pandemic and the surge in energy prices. Net borrowing excluding state-controlled banks was 20.5 billion pounds ($26.05 billion) last month, 1.5 billion pounds more than in April 2023, official data showed on Wednesday. It was higher than the median estimate of 19.3 billion pounds in a poll of economists which was also the expectation of the government's budget forecasters.
Statistics are shown for this demographic
Constituency
City
Parish
Response rates from 461 Birmingham voters.
60% Yes |
40% No |
60% Yes |
40% No |
Trend of support over time for each answer from 461 Birmingham voters.
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Trend of how important this issue is for 461 Birmingham voters.
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Unique answers from Birmingham voters whose views went beyond the provided options.
@9P2LR256mos6MO
Yes, but not at the expense of cutting public sector pay, we should just rely more heavily on taxing the rich and big businesses
@9QDMYWP5mos5MO
The government sould give legitimate evidence to support sector borrowing in justify it for either the public or independent board.
@9Q8GHDB5mos5MO
In the long run yes but in the short term we need to borrow more to invest in growing industries like renewables.
@9QN46745mos5MO
A balance will need to be sought. If industry or output increases then so would revenue to cover borrowing.
@9PSPG2W5mos5MO
not at the expense of pulic services like social services, disability benefits. All public services need to be well managed,
@9PRGGCL5mos5MO
Only when other things the government urgently need to spend out on, reduce significantly. And when the economy is gaining eg above 1%
@9NZJRTW6mos6MO
Borrowing should be reduced primarily by raising taxes, with some element of spending cuts where necessary.
@9MTQRZJ6mos6MO
I don't agree as it'll always be an excuse for cuts but the amount of debt leaves them no choice.
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