‘Empty promises’: Voters give their verdict on Rachel Reeves’s spending plan ...Middle East

Rachel Reeves‘s first major spending review as Chancellor has failed to convince many voters, according to same-day polling conducted in the immediate aftermath of her announcement.

While some expressed cautious optimism, many voiced doubts about whether Reeves’s ambitious plans could be fully delivered and how they would be funded.

“These feel like empty promises, and will most likely lead to further tax rises, which goes against what they said last year,” said a 46-year-old gardener who did not vote in the last election. A 66-year-old retired Conservative voter echoed the concern, saying: “I am not yet convinced that they have a credible plan to fund all the good things they propose to do.”

The rapid-response voter panel, commissioned by the campaign group 38 Degrees and conducted by pollsters JL Partners, found that while announcements on the NHS and housing were broadly welcomed, scepticism about delivery and funding was a significant concern.

One respondent, a 48-year-old auditor and Reform supporter, said, “All the announcements make sense. However, how are they going to be paid for?”

The Government promised a 3 per cent real-terms increase in NHS funding. The move drew support from voters across the political spectrum, though many felt it did not go far enough.

“I think it’s great, but it probably needed to be increased more. As it’s really overstretched already,” said a 24-year-old IT manager who voted for Reform.

Another, a 42-year-old unemployed woman who voted Plaid Cymru, said: “This is a long time coming. There should be more of an increase, but it’s a start.”

A 42-year-old Labour voter added: “This is very welcome. We must never go in the US direction.”

Even among those sceptical of the Government’s overall approach, investment in health care was seen as overdue. “I’m glad more is being invested in the NHS, however, it is only scratching the surface,” said a 42-year-old analyst who voted Liberal Democrat.

Affordable homes pledge ‘still not enough’

There was a similar mix of hope and hesitation in response to Reeves’s pledge to invest £39bn over the next decade in social and affordable housing.

“I hope they pull through, we are in a time of a lot of homelessness, so it’d be good to know that all these newly built empty houses are actually going to be used,” said a 35-year-old Labour voter working in hazardous waste removal.

Others welcomed the funding because of personal ties to the housing system. “We live in affordable housing, so it’s close to our heart. I’m really glad to see more money going into this,” said a 37-year-old company secretary and Reform voter.

But not everyone was convinced. A 57-year-old scaffolder and Conservative voter responded simply: “Still not enough.”

Some were openly dismissive. “It’ll only affect immigrants and people on benefits, so it doesn’t apply to hard-working people like myself,” said a 34-year-old personal assistant who voted Reform.

Scepticism around the Government’s delivery record also surfaced repeatedly. “It won’t affect me directly, but like all their promises on funding, I’ll believe it once it has actually happened,” said a 59-year-old medical secretary.

Asked whether the measures would improve their own standard of living, several respondents said they hoped for positive change but remained wary.

“I think it is a step in the right direction and will make a small difference,” said a 42-year-old Liberal Democrat analyst.

A 61-year-old retired headteacher who voted Labour was more hopeful: “Living standards will improve, but it won’t happen overnight.”

Others were unconvinced. “I won’t notice any difference… but I suspect taxes will be raised further down the line to help pay for all this, making most of us worse off,” said a 67-year-old Reform supporter.

The same concern was voiced again by the 59-year-old medical secretary: “I don’t believe any of their promises, but I hope I’m proved wrong and they happen.”

A step forward to make the UK a ‘fairer’ country

Despite the doubts, many participants acknowledged that the plans had moved in a fairer direction. A 76-year-old Reform voter said simply: “Definitely seems fair.”

“More fair, but could have gone further,” added a 71-year-old man who did not vote.

A 73-year-old Liberal Democrat and social worker said: “I think any plans to improve the NHS and other infrastructure in this country are a step forward after years of neglect.”

Yet a 57-year-old kitchen designer, also a Reform voter, offered a more downbeat view: “It will take more than that to make a difference.”

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Matthew McGregor, CEO of 38 Degrees, said the results show voters want ambition but need reassurance. “Voters now need reassurance on two levels: firstly, that these plans will come to fruition, and secondly, around how they’ll be funded,” he said.

The snapshot of opinion highlights the political tightrope Reeves is walking: delivering bold announcements without providing concrete answers on tax and spending risks, fuelling public doubt.

Tom Lubbock, co-founder of JL Partners, said: “The Chancellor will be pleased with the responses, but will have to answer those questions voters had further down the line.”

For now, it remains unclear whether Reeves’s promises will be enough to shift public opinion. As one 48-year-old Reform voter put it: “They have to do something to fix the mess Tories left.”

But even supporters of the spending acknowledged it may take more than promises to convince the electorate that change is really coming.

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