17.09.12
Public call for increase in spending on NHS
Public satisfaction with the NHS has fallen, and more people now want to see an increase in spending, the British Social Attitudes report by NatCen Social Research has revealed.
For the first time in over a decade, the proportion of people who agree with an increase in taxes to fund extra spending has increased, from 31% to 36%. This percentage increase occurred between 2010 and 2011.
Meanwhile the proportion of those satisfied with the quality of the NHS has fallen dramatically from 70% in 2010 to 58% in 2011.
Whereas 68% believed that unemployment was the key priority for government spending in 2001, only 59% believe that now. 68% currently believe that funding for the NHS should be central to taxation expenditure.
It appears that the general public now support increased spending on the NHS above all other areas even if this includes a rise in taxation. In juxtaposition to the 1990s, support for welfare funding has fallen.
More than half people think immigrants may have a negative impact on the economy.
The 2011 British Social Attitudes survey was based on interviews with 3,311 people.
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