Government survives autumn statement, polls show
By Ian Dunt Follow @IanDunt
The government has managed to survive the dire predictions of its autumn statement without taking a hammering in the polls, according to new data.
In a development which will cause concern at Labour HQ, an ICM poll for the Sunday Telegraph saw the Conservatives actually go up two points to 38%.
Labour fell two-points to 36%, while the Liberal Democrats remained unchanged on 14%.
The poll is anomalous in giving the Conservatives a lead over the opposition, but it is in line with other surveys which find the public still trusts the Conservatives with economic policy, despite George Osborne admitting he would exceed the borrowing levels proposed by Alastair Darling and be unable to eradicate the deficit by the next election.
The poll showed considerable opposition to Mr Osborne's plan to increase the state pension to 67 from 2026. Fifty per cent opposed the measure and just 37% supported it.
A BPIX survey put Labour ahead of the Conservatives, but handed the governing party the usual lead on the economy, with the Tories on 31% to Labour's 28%.
Opinion on the public sector strike was evenly divided, with 37% saying the government should increase its offer and 33% opposing that proposal.
Asked who was to blame for the strike, most voters chose the government, with 38% blaming it compared to 33% blaming the unions.
