Majority of Brits blame Rishi Sunak for the recession 

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

• Six in ten Conservative voters blame the Prime Minister and Chancellor for the UK economy entering a recession 

• The Bank of England is the least blamed despite attacks from Conservative MPs

• Liberal Democrats call for end to “Rishi’s Recession” by getting people off NHS waiting lists and back into work

New polling commissioned by the Liberal Democrats has found that seven in ten (71%) UK adults blame Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt for the UK economy entering a recession.  

Even six in ten (61%) 2019 Conservative voters pin blame on Sunak and Hunt for the recession. This rises further amongst 2019 Labour (86%) and Liberal Democrat (74%) voters.

As many UK adults blame Sunak and Hunt (71%) as their predecessors Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng (70%), who are widely remembered for sending interest rates spiralling following their infamous botched budget. 

Despite Conservative MPs and Reform politicians queuing up to blame the Bank of England for the recession, the institution is the least blamed amongst the options given to UK adults (63%).

The Liberal Democrats have slammed Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt’s handling of the economy, and called on the record NHS waiting lists to be brought down to stimulate growth.

Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Sarah Olney MP said: 

“To the British people, this is officially Rishi’s recession. Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt promised economic stability after the debacle of Liz Truss, yet it is just more of the same.

“Years of Conservative economic incompetence and failed experiments has led to the worst cost of living crisis in a generation and no growth. 

“Pensioners and hardworking families have picked up the tab for the Conservatives wrecking the economy. 

“At next week’s budget, the government needs to stimulate growth, and there is no better way then getting people off NHS waiting lists and back to work. People are desperate to get off the sick bed and back into the workplace to provide for their families, but can’t because of Conservative cuts.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

The poll was originally reported in the Daily Mail

Full results here

Methodology: Savanta interviewed 2,109 UK adults aged 18+ online between 23rd and 26th February 2024. Data were weighted to be representative of the UK by age, sex, region, and social grade.

Q1. Last week it was announced that the UK economy fell into a recession after negative growth in GDP for two quarters in a row. 

To what extent, if at all, do you think the following are to blame for the recession? Base: All respondents (n=2,109)