The majority of people support tax increases to address the cost-of-living crisis, according to a study, yet many hold differing political views on the NHS and engage in culture wars regarding identity, immigration, and equality.
According to a survey, British society is divided into many social issues, but the majority opposes the government’s strategy of tax reduction.
The majority of Britons may disagree on topics such as Scottish independence and proportional representation in elections, but they concur that greater taxes should be used to provide further assistance for households during the cost-of-living crisis.
Despite the government’s efforts to balance out regional disparities, there were very few variances in economic values between northern and southern England.
Those living in the capital are more pro-welfare and socially liberal compared to those living outside of the city.
37% of respondents in the north were pro-welfare, compared to 35% of individuals in the south.
This proportion increased to 47% in London, compared to 30-35% elsewhere.
Constitutional difficulties
Participants were also asked their opinions on Scottish independence, with the results indicating that Britain is more polarised than ever before.
52% of Scots favor leaving the United Kingdom, up from 23% in 2012.
Since 2012, however, this number has remained steady in England, where only one in four support Scottish independence.
For the first time in the survey’s history, a majority of respondents (51%) prefer proportional representation to the traditional first-past-the-post system.
Research indicates that support for Northern Ireland to remain a member of the United Kingdom has dropped below 50% for the first time.
Culture conflicts involving identity, immigration, and equality might reignite the Brexit schism between Remain and Leave voters, who had opposed views, according to the survey. However, the majority of the public holds socially liberal attitudes.
strained health care system
In the meantime, satisfaction with the NHS has reached its lowest point in 25 years, with lengthy waiting lists cited as a significant obstacle to accessing care.
Long waits for a GP or hospital appointment were cited by two-thirds of those dissatisfied with the struggling health sector.
However, more than half of respondents in England and Scotland said they would be willing to pay extra taxes to enhance healthcare for all.
Three-quarters of respondents felt the NHS should “absolutely” be free and accessible to everyone.
Sir John Curtice, a senior research fellow at NatCen, stated: “The results of our study indicate why Britain may appear fragmented, beleaguered, and “broken.”
“It is frequently believed that the health service does not provide the timely care that people require and expect. Support for leaving the United Kingdom has increased in Scotland and Northern Ireland, and the question of how Britain should be governed has become far more divided.
“Between the nation’s capital and the rest of the country, a new chasm has developed in terms of attitudes about social welfare and issues. And ‘culture war’ concerns could potentially become a part of our politics, contributing to the continuation of the Brexit divide.
“True, the gap in opinions between the North and South of England appears to have shrunk, but people continue to believe in a tax-funded, point-of-use-free NHS.
“However, the incoming government faces an especially hard struggle in uniting Britain.”
