Wales TUC: Snap poll shows 7 in 10 think UK government “hasn’t done enough” to help with rising cost of living

7 in 10 think UK government “hasn’t done enough” to help with rising cost of living – TUC snap poll reveals 

• Cost of living crisis is top concern for voters, poll shows 
• The public have sent “a clear distress call”, warns union body 
• TUC renews call for Emergency Budget 

Almost 8 in 10 (77%) people in Wales think the UK government “has not done enough” to help with the rising cost of living – according to a new poll published by the TUC tonight (Thursday). 

The snap poll – carried out by Opinium as voters went to polling stations on local elections day – reveals that only 19 per cent think the Prime Minister and his government have done enough to help people with rising living costs. 

Today’s poll of 2,000 adults – including 178 people in Wales – (fieldwork: 5 May 2022) also reveals that the cost of living crisis tops the lists of voters’ concerns. 

7 in 10 people say the cost of living is the most important issue facing the UK, followed by the NHS and benefits. 

Emergency Budget 

The TUC says the UK government’s response to soaring bills and prices has thus far been “woefully inadequate”. 

The union body is calling on the Chancellor to urgently come back to parliament with an Emergency Budget to help struggling families. 

The TUC says the UK government should: 

• Impose a windfall tax on oil and gas profits to fund energy grants 
• Boost the minimum wage, pensions and Universal Credit 
• Work with unions and employers to get pay rising across the economy 

Commenting on the poll, Wales TUC General Secretary Shavanah Taj said:  

“Everyone should have enough to pay their bills. But years of standstill wages have left millions at the mercy of soaring bills and prices. 

“Welsh Government has done what it can to patch over some of the gaps and to support people where they can. But responsibility sits primarily with the UK government, and UK Ministers’ suggestion that people buy value brands are a worrying sign of how out of touch they are.

“On local elections day today, the public have sent out a clear distress call. They want the government to do more to help families get through this cost of living emergency. 

“The Chancellor must come back to parliament with an Emergency Budget, to help with energy bills and raise the minimum wage and Universal Credit.  

“The longer ministers delay the more damage will be done.”