Labour Government Approval: How Is the Government Performing?
Only 24% of voters are satisfied with the Labour government overall. Track cabinet ratings, policy delivery, and the October 2024 Budget.
Government Satisfaction: Monthly Trend
DecliningComposite of YouGov, Ipsos and Savanta polling. Question: “Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the way the Labour government is running the country?”
Source: YouGov / Ipsos / Savanta composite, May 2026.
Government Performance by Issue
May 2026% who say the government is handling each area well vs. badly.
| Issue | Handling well | Handling badly | Net |
|---|---|---|---|
| NHS | 29% | 58% | −29 |
| Economy | 21% | 62% | −41 |
| Immigration | 14% | 71% | −57 |
| Housing | 22% | 55% | −33 |
| Cost of Living | 18% | 66% | −48 |
| Green Energy | 41% | 35% | +6 |
| Education | 27% | 47% | −20 |
| Defence | 34% | 38% | −4 |
Government Tracker Sections
Cabinet Approval Ratings
Net approval scores for all senior ministers. Starmer at −35%, Reeves at −28%.
October 2024 Budget Polling
Winter fuel cut opposed by 59%. NI rise opposed by 48%. NHS funding backed by 76%.
Manifesto Promises Tracker
64% say Labour has not delivered on NHS waiting lists. Track all key pledges.
Context: Labour in Government
Labour won the July 2024 general election with a landslide majority of 172 seats, the largest since 1997. Despite this commanding parliamentary position, public satisfaction with government performance has fallen sharply since the post-election honeymoon period. By May 2026, only 24% of voters express overall satisfaction with the government, while 61% are dissatisfied.
The sharpest drop in satisfaction came following the October 2024 Autumn Budget, which introduced a rise in employer National Insurance contributions and the removal of the Winter Fuel Payment for most pensioners. These measures proved deeply unpopular and drove down the government poll ratings significantly.
The government strongest polling comes on green energy and defence, where approval ratings are closer to neutral. The biggest vulnerabilities remain immigration, cost of living and economic management.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current Labour government approval rating?
As of May 2026, 24% of UK voters say they are satisfied with the Labour government overall. 61% are dissatisfied. This compares to 41% satisfaction in August 2024, shortly after Labour won the general election.
Why has Labour approval fallen so sharply?
The October 2024 Budget was the primary cause of the sharp fall. The removal of the Winter Fuel Payment for most pensioners and the rise in employer National Insurance were both deeply unpopular. The government has also struggled to show visible progress on NHS waiting lists and immigration, two of voters top priorities.
What does the government handle best in polls?
Green energy is the only issue area where the government is in positive net territory (+6). Defence is close to neutral (−4). All other issue areas show the government significantly underwater, with immigration the worst at −57 net.
How does Labour approval compare to previous governments?
At 24% satisfied in their second year, Labour compares unfavourably to most post-war governments at the same stage. The Conservatives under Boris Johnson achieved around 40% satisfaction in early 2021 before their own decline. Blair government approval remained above 40% for most of the first term.