Boris Johnson’s government handled energy and supply crises badly, say two-thirds of voters

Exclusive: Majority of voters ‘not confident’ in PM’s handling of economy, reports Adam Forrest

Despite voters’ concerns, Boris Johnson’s party enjoys a five-point advantage over Labour (PA)

Two in three people think Boris Johnson’s government has botched the energy and supply crises which have seen firms collapse and empty supermarket shelves, exclusive polling for The Independent has found.

The same survey found the majority of voters are “not confident” about the prime minister’s handling of the economy, as his chancellor Rishi Sunak prepares to set out his Budget plans next week.

Some 64 per cent of voters said the government has handled the country’s supply chain problems and lorry driver shortages “badly”, according to the survey by Savanta ComRes.

And 66 per cent of voters believe the government has also handled the energy crisis “badly”, amid the collapse of UK suppliers and warnings of factory closures as manufacturers continue to struggle with gas costs.

Only 41 per cent of the public are confident in the government’s handling of Britain’s economy, while 50 per cent said they were not confident in the government.

Fewer still were sure about Mr Johnson’s performance – with 53 per cent saying they lacked confidence in his grip on the economy. Mr Sunak fared better, however, with 47 per cent confident in the chancellor’s handling of economic matters, while 39 per cent not confident.

The economic woes mounting over the autumn have failed to make any serious dent in the Conservatives’ lead over Labour, however. Mr Johnson’s party enjoys a five-point advantage over Sir Keir Starmer’s party, according to a poll of polls tracker.

Chris Hopkins, associate director at Savanta ComRes, said: “While the public say the government is handling the supply chain and worker shortage crises badly, the Conservative Party maintain a healthy lead in the polls.”

He added: “With the Labour leadership failing to capitalise, it looks like it will take a disaster much greater than what we’re seeing at the moment for the government ratings to truly suffer.”

A major Labour donor said there was still a “huge opportunity” for Starmer to trump the government on the economy if he focuses on the manufacturing sector – saying the Tory Party has been “found out for its bluster”.

John Mills, who set up the Institute for Prosperity last year, said: “I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw former Labour voters flood back to the party after this Budget if the government doesn’t start taking manufacturing seriously.”

The same Savanta ComRes survey found that the idea of raising taxes to deal with the climate emergency has widespread support from the British public.

Some 67 per cent of voters said tax rises at the Budget would be “acceptable” if revenue was spent on action to reduce the impact of climate change. Only 22 per cent said they found the idea “unacceptable”.

It also found that some 75 per cent will accept tax hikes for action on low pay, while 65 per cent back higher taxes if money goes to disadvantaged areas.

As Brexit minister David Frost continues talks with Brussels chiefs in an audacious bid to replace the Northern Ireland Protocol with new arrangements, most voters expressed their dismay with the manner in which the UK has exited the EU.

Some 58 per cent of the public said the government has handled the Brexit process badly in the latest Savanta ComRes poll for The Independent, with only 34 per cent told saying it had been handled well.

But there are few signs of Brexit regret. Nine out of 10 of Leave and Remain voters said they would vote the same way again in a referendum on EU membership, according to the latest British social attitudes survey.