NHS Policy Polling 2026
Public opinion on NHS funding, GP charges, private provision and waiting list targets. 81% say the government is failing — yet Labour still leads on trust at 31%.
More NHS Funding
78% supportPolling question: “Do you support increasing overall NHS funding, even if this requires tax rises?” Source: YouGov, April 2026 (n=1,742).
Private Provision Within the NHS
44% support, 38% opposePolling question: “Do you support or oppose allowing private companies to provide NHS services, such as operations and diagnostics, if this reduces waiting times?” Source: Ipsos, March 2026.
Support for private provision rises significantly when the question specifies waiting list reduction as the rationale. Opposition is highest among Labour’s core union-aligned voter base. Reform UK and Conservatives both support expanded private NHS provision.
NHS Charges for GP Appointments
24% support, 68% opposePolling question: “Do you support or oppose introducing a small charge (e.g. £5–£10) for GP appointments to reduce missed appointments?” Source: Survation, April 2026.
Dedicated NHS Tax
58% supportPolling question: “Would you support a dedicated NHS tax, ring-fenced so that all revenue goes directly to healthcare?” Source: YouGov, March 2026.
Government Performance on Waiting Lists
81% say government failingPolling question: “Do you think the government is succeeding or failing in its pledge to reduce NHS waiting lists?” Source: Ipsos, May 2026 (n=1,009).
7.5 million patients remain on NHS waiting lists as of May 2026. Labour pledged to eliminate 2-year waits by end of 2025 — a target the government has missed.
Party Trust on NHS
Labour leads at 31%Frequently Asked Questions
Do UK voters support more NHS funding?
Yes, strongly. 78% of UK voters support increasing overall NHS funding, even if this requires tax rises. This is one of the most consistent findings in UK polling — NHS funding commands near-universal public support across party lines. See the NHS issue tracker for full party trust data.
Do voters support a dedicated NHS tax?
58% of UK voters support a ring-fenced NHS tax where all revenue goes directly to healthcare, according to YouGov March 2026 polling. Only 24% oppose. This represents a significantly higher support level than for general tax rises, suggesting voters want hypothecated health spending.
What do voters think about NHS waiting lists?
81% of voters say the government is failing in its pledge to reduce NHS waiting lists, with only 9% saying it is succeeding. With 7.5 million patients still on waiting lists as of May 2026, this is a major drag on Labour’s overall approval ratings. Labour promised to eliminate 2-year waits by end of 2025 — a target it missed.