Poll: Energy bills top priority for UK public ahead of 28 October Budget; many expect tax rises
Unbiased summary
Ahead of the UK Budget on 28 October 2026, polling by More in Common shows that cutting energy bills is the public's top priority, ahead of NHS funding and tax cuts. The poll finds that 77% fear Labour will increase energy costs, and only 9% expect Labour to deliver relief. Ipsos polling indicates that 65% of Britons expect tax rises, while 5% expect tax cuts, and 58% believe the country is heading in the wrong direction. The Guardian has launched a call for readers to share their financial concerns and budget priorities. The Chancellor is John Healey, and the Prime Minister is Andy Burnham.
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Coverage by outlet
The Guardian
left
Angle
The Guardian frames the story as an opportunity to gather reader experiences and concerns ahead of the Budget, emphasising public engagement and specific financial issues.
Bias
The Guardian does not report on the polling data covered by other outlets, instead focusing on soliciting reader input. It highlights a range of potential concerns such as energy bills, petrol, childcare, fiscal drag, and pensions, but omits any mention of poll results or expectations about Labour's performance. This approach downplays the newsworthy polling findings and frames the story around citizen participation rather than political accountability.
The Sun
right
Angle
The Sun frames the story around public pessimism towards Labour's ability to address energy bills, using poll numbers to criticise the government and highlight a 'squeezed middle'.
Bias
The Sun emphasises that only 9% believe Labour will deliver relief on energy bills and that 77% fear Labour will push costs up, while downplaying or omitting other poll findings such as expectations of tax rises. It includes commentary from More in Common's UK Director and references to Andy Burnham's perceived understanding, but the overall framing is heavily negative towards Labour, straying from a neutral account by focusing on fear and disappointment.
Daily Mail
right
Angle
The Daily Mail frames the story around expectations of tax hikes under Labour, portraying the Budget as a 'critical test' for the Chancellor and highlighting public pessimism about the economy.
Bias
The Daily Mail emphasises that 65% expect tax rises and 58% think the country is heading in the wrong direction, and it brings in past tax rises by Rachel Reeves to suggest a pattern of Labour increasing taxes. It downplays or omits the energy bills priority found in other polls, instead focusing on tax and spending expectations. The framing is consistently negative towards Labour, using poll numbers to reinforce a narrative of economic mismanagement and impending pain.