Polling conducted for the coalition government has suggested strong public support for the household benefit cap, under which no household is allowed to receive benefits totalling more than £26,000 each year.

The polling was conducted by Ipsos MORI in early June 2013, using an online survey. In addition, a telephone poll was conducted among people notified that they would be affected by the benefit cap and who subsequently found work.

Key findings

• 69 per cent of respondents in the online survey said the benefits system is not working effectively, compared with just 11 per cent who said it is.
• 73 per cent supported the benefit cap in principle, with only 12 per cent opposed.
• Around one-third of those who said they opposed a cap of £26,000 said they did so because it was too high.
• Almost three in ten (29 per cent) of those who remembered receiving notification of the benefit cap, or were aware they were affected, said they looked for a job as a direct response to being notified or becoming aware of the benefit cap.

Source: Public Perceptions of the Benefit Cap and Pre-Implementation Impacts, Department for Work and Pensions
Links: Report | Ipsos MORI press release