Revealed: the truth about the latest NHS funding poll

Last week there was an exclusive in the Times – widely followed up – revealing majority support for NHS-linked tax rises. ‘For the first time in more than a decade, a majority of Britons say that they are personally willing to pay more to increase spending, according to the respected British Social Attitudes survey’. It followed this up by a leading article to this breakthrough, saying:

‘Ministerial hearts may be gladdened, therefore, by a new poll published in The Times today. It suggests that 61 per cent voters back higher taxes to fund the health service, with 25 per cent saying that the government should raise existing taxes and 36 per cent supporting a new tax. A dedicated health tax would be difficult to get right, but it is a good idea.’

Only Mr S suspects ministers ought not get too carried away. You see one set of hearts that would certainly be gladdened were those at The King’s Fund, which planted the story – and, unbeknown to Times readers, also paid for this question to be slipped in to the normal BSA survey.