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@ISIDEWITHQuestionsEconomyEconomic policyState OwnershipGovernment BailoutsEquity StakesCorporate Finance•••Started 6yrs agoActive 5mos ago

Should the government acquire equity stakes in companies it bails out during a recession?

A state-owned enterprise is a business enterprise where the government or state has significant control through full, majority, or significant minority ownership. During the 2020 Coronavirus outbreak Larry Kudlow, the White House’s top economic advisor, said the Trump administration would consider asking for an equity stake in corporations that needed taxpayer aid. “One of the ideas is, if we provide assistance, we might take an equity position,” Kudlow said Wednesday at the White House, adding that the 2008 bailout of [the automaker General Motors] had been a good deal…  

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Answer Overview

Response rates from 11.6k UK voters.

63%
Yes
37%
No
55%
Yes
27%
No
6%
Yes, the government should receive equity for any financial aid they provide to companies
8%
No, the government should never own shares of private companies
1%
Yes, but divest over time after 'repayment' is obtained.
2%
No, this impedes technological progress due to competition being stifled
0%
No, and the government should never bail out companies during a recession

Historical Support

Trend of support over time for each answer from 11.6k UK voters.

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Historical Importance

Trend of how important this issue is for 11.6k UK voters.

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Other Popular Answers

Unique answers from UK voters whose views went beyond the provided options.

 @B9Z68PPanswered…5mos5MO

This feels like insider trading and is open to corruption and maybe perceived as "cash for favours". We should provide aid to the everyday victims of companies who are effected but not to CEOs and shareholders.

 @9QD3DSBanswered…2yrs2Y

The government shouldn't be bailing out companies unless there is a significant public benefit/service they provide.

 @9Q6R8ZZanswered…2yrs2Y

No, shares have with them a level of influence the government may have conflicting intrests with what is then in the best intrest of a company, the government should take out bonds from a company instead.

 @9Q36VV7answered…2yrs2Y

Yes if its just a financial thing, should have no weight on company decisions as long as decisions are legally compliant

 @9PYKFSVanswered…2yrs2Y

Yes if the company provides government support or contracts that need to be fulfilled companies dissolved post activity

 @9LKM9NXanswered…2yrs2Y

No, but financial assistance should come with conditions on fair work and pay and transparent tax arrangements.

 @9L4VP4Xanswered…2yrs2Y

I would rather all essential industry be collectively owned by the government/citizens (water, power companies, railway, healthcare, internet, education, and related). And no industry should be "bailed out" unless it's services are still required. Private companies should only exist for luxury goods.

 @9HY5B7Wanswered…2yrs2Y

There should be no bailing out of companies and, if there is any, the government should acquire shares which are automatically paid off over time so the government has no stake in the company as soon as possible.

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 @ISIDEWITHDiscuss this answer...…6yrs6Y

Should critical race theory be taught in K-12 education?

No

▲  19.8k6 replies4 agree1 disagree

About This Data

Based on 11.6k responses to this question.

These results come from iSideWith's ongoing political issues survey. We collect over a million responses per day, filter out duplicate and multiple submissions, and break the results down by political party, ideology, age, state, and census demographics (income, race, education, household).

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iSideWith. (2026). “Should the government acquire equity stakes in companies it bails out during a recession?” — Public Opinion Poll Results. Retrieved June 25, 2026, from https://uk.isidewith.com/polls/4234004100

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