IEA Research — 2026
British Attitudes to Economic Growth
A major poll of 3,001 British voters examines why Britain's economy has underperformed, what the public believes is holding it back, and what it will take to build a mandate for reform.
67%
say Britain is heading in the wrong direction
Freshwater Strategy poll for the IEA, n=3,001 UK voters, January 2026
87%
believe the UK should focus more on economic growth
Freshwater Strategy poll for the IEA, n=3,001 UK voters, January 2026
3,001
voters surveyed across the UK, 13–18 January 2026
Online fieldwork conducted by Freshwater Strategy. Data weighted to be nationally representative of UK voters.
Public Priorities
Britons overwhelmingly want a stronger focus on growth
Support for prioritising economic growth is overwhelming. Very few voters believe the country is already wealthy enough, and only a small minority remain unsure.
The UK should focus more on economic growth
87%
The UK is already wealthy enough
9%
Freshwater Strategy poll for the IEA, n=3,001 UK voters, January 2026. Q: "Which of the following comes closest to your view?"
The Reform Mandate
Brits back free-market solutions to kickstart growth
When asked what would actually grow the economy, the public's instincts are predominantly supply-side. Large majorities back cutting energy costs, reducing taxes, and easing planning restrictions — a set of priorities that maps closely on to a free-market reform agenda. Policies that add costs or expand state control are widely seen as harmful.
Policies the public believe would grow the economy
Cut taxes on business
66%
Ease building & planning
59%
Cut business red tape
58%
Abandon net zero by 2050
37%
Policies the public believe would harm the economy
Higher business taxes
47%
More business regulation
44%
Higher taxes on workers
54%
Harder to build homes
48%
Share who say this would grow the economy
Share who say this would contract the economy
Freshwater Strategy poll for the IEA, n=3,001 UK voters, January 2026. Q: "For each of the following actions, please indicate whether you think it would lead to growth, contraction or make no impact on the UK economy?"
The Growth Gap
Strong support, weak understanding
Britons overwhelmingly want growth — but most cannot define it clearly, and many doubt it will ever reach them personally.
87%
believe the UK should focus more on economic growth rather than conclude it is already wealthy enough
Freshwater Strategy poll for the IEA, n=3,001 UK voters, January 2026
81%
say "the government" benefits most from growth — but only 52% believe they personally would benefit significantly
Freshwater Strategy poll for the IEA, n=3,001 UK voters, January 2026
40%
of Brits believe the UK economy has no major strengths at all — rising to 55% among those who rate the economy as poor
Freshwater Strategy poll for the IEA, n=3,001 UK voters, January 2026
£11k
GDP per capita is roughly £11,000 lower than it would have been had pre-2008 growth trends continued — a gap measured in foregone pay rises and smaller pension pots
IEA analysis based on ONS GDP and population data
"I don't think I've ever seen real economic growth — to know what it actually feels like or looks like."
Younger male voter — Freshwater Strategy focus group for the IEA, February 2026
The Wealth Gap
The UK ranks 21st globally in GDP per capita
The average Briton is significantly poorer than the average person in Switzerland, Singapore, the United States, Australia, and Germany. Most Britons did not realise this was the case.
GDP per capita projections (current USD). Source: IMF World Economic Outlook DataMapper — imf.org/external/datamapper/NGDPDPC@WEO
Perception vs Reality
Brits dramatically overestimate the UK's position
When asked to rank the UK against other countries and US states, the gap between what people believe and what is actually true is stark — and the reaction to the truth is one of shock and embarrassment.
What Brits believe — Global ranking
5th
On average, Brits place the UK 5th globally in GDP per capita — a position that would place it firmly among the world's wealthiest nations.
Freshwater Strategy poll for the IEA, n=3,001 UK voters, January 2026
The reality — Global ranking
21st
The UK ranks 21st globally — behind not just the US and Switzerland, but also the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Austria, and Belgium.
IMF World Economic Outlook DataMapper — imf.org/external/datamapper/NGDPDPC@WEO
What Brits believe — vs US states
7th
Brits place the UK 7th wealthiest among US states, believing it sits comfortably above most of America's 50 states in GDP per capita.
Freshwater Strategy poll for the IEA, n=3,001 UK voters, January 2026
The reality — vs US states
Last
The UK ranks behind every single US state — including Alabama, Mississippi, and Arkansas. Over a quarter of respondents described themselves as "shocked" upon learning this.
IMF World Economic Outlook DataMapper — imf.org/external/datamapper/NGDPDPC@WEO
"It's kind of shocking to think, actually, we're quite lower down than expected."
Younger female voter — Freshwater Strategy focus group for the IEA, February 2026
The Kitchen Sink
What Brits think is holding back growth
The public agrees with a wide range of explanations for stagnation — from supply-side constraints to statist remedies. This reveals both the challenge and the opportunity for advocates of market-oriented reform.
Lack of public investment
77%
Corporate profit-seeking
73%
Welfare discouraging work
65%
Supply-side / market-oriented explanation
Demand-side / interventionist explanation
Freshwater Strategy poll for the IEA, n=3,001 UK voters, January 2026. Q: "To what extent do you agree or disagree that each of the following is preventing the UK economy from growing?"
"Since both pro-growth and anti-growth policies are popular, the priority is not simply making the case for growth. It is demonstrating why bad policy has failed."
IEA analysis — British Attitudes to Economic Growth, 2026
Who are the British public?
Six growth segments of Britain
The research identifies six distinct segments shaped by lived experience, financial position, and beliefs about fairness and opportunity. Support for growth is high across all — but conditional, fragile, and filtered through social position.
32%
Affluent Professionals
Strongly pro-growth
Higher-income, degree-educated, London-based homeowners. The only segment with a consistently positive economic outlook.
22%
Squeezed Workers
Conditional support
Working-age, mid-income, Midlands and Wales. Pro-growth in principle but demanding evidence it will benefit them, not just businesses.
17%
Young Renters
Uncertain
18–34, lower income, privately renting. Open to growth but not yet convinced it will work for them. Housing is their central concern.
16%
Establishment Retirees
Risk-averse
Older, female, outright homeowners in southern England. Support growth as a means of maintaining stability and funding public services.
7%
Pessimistic Men
Anti-state, pro-growth
35+, Reform-leaning, the most uniformly negative group. Connect growth to lower taxes and a system that rewards hard work.
6%
Struggling Women
Most sceptical
Lower income, insecure work, Midlands and Wales. Support growth only if it clearly improves their lives without adding costs.
Freshwater Strategy poll for the IEA, n=3,001 UK voters, January 2026. Voter segments derived from cluster analysis of poll responses.
