Education Polling UK 2026

Real-terms per-pupil funding in England fell by approximately 9% between 2009–10 and 2019–20 according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), and while subsequent increases have partially restored these cuts, many schools — particularly those in deprived areas — continue to operate with significant budget pressures. The National Audit Office found that school buildings maintenance backlogs reached £15 billion by 2023, a figure that includes the RAAC concrete crisis.

Labour leads education trust at 28%, a significant lead over the Lib Dems at 17% and the Greens at 12%. The Conservatives trail at 10% — partly due to their track record on school funding cuts and the RAAC crisis emerging under a Conservative government. Reform UK is trusted by just 4% on education, reflecting limited policy engagement with the issue.

The 26% “none” figure — voters who trust no party on education — is strikingly high. It suggests that despite education being politically important, voters do not believe any party has a convincing plan to address the combination of funding, teacher recruitment, SEND backlogs, and mental health services they identify as priorities.

Polling on the teacher crisis is clear: 73% of parents with school-age children say the teacher shortage has affected their child’s education. 64% say subject specialists should be paid more to attract them into teaching. 57% support an international teacher recruitment programme as a short-term solution, while 71% say pay needs to increase before domestic teacher shortages will improve. Labour’s pledge of 6,500 new teachers has polled at +31 net approval but is widely seen as insufficient given the scale of the deficit.

Labour’s October 2024 Budget decision to apply 20% VAT to private school fees became one of the most discussed education policies in years. The policy was framed as raising revenue to fund state school improvements, but polling has been mixed. Most polls show a plurality or slight majority in favour among the general public, but opposition is intense among those most directly affected.

The policy generates strong enthusiasm among Labour’s core supporters (65% in favour among Labour voters) and strong opposition among the upper-middle class professional demographic — which includes many former Conservative voters who have switched to the Lib Dems. This demographic tension is one reason the Lib Dems have been cautious about the policy.

The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system in England has faced a well-documented crisis for years. The number of children identified with SEND has risen sharply, EHCPs (Education, Health and Care Plans) processing times have lengthened, and parental appeals to SEND tribunals are at record levels. Despite high salience among affected families, SEND has lower public awareness than other education issues.

Source: YouGov, Ipsos, 2025–2026. Strongest cross-party support for mental health in schools (81%) and teacher pay (72%). Most divisive: private school VAT and grammar schools.