As the Chancellor prepares to deliver his Budget speech tomorrow, a new ComRes poll of 150 of Mr Hammond’s colleagues reveals concerns about creeping inflation and interest rate pressures.
The poll, conducted between mid-January and mid-February, found MPs divided over the prospects for economic growth over the next 12 months, while expectations over unemployment are relatively rosy.
- Do you expect each of the following economic indicators to improve, stay the same or get worse over the next 12 months?
| Economic growth | All % | Con % | Lab % |
| Improve | 34 | 51 | 13 |
| Stay same | 34 | 43 | 28 |
| Get worse | 33 | 6 | 59 |
| Inflation | |||
| Improve | 6 | 9 | 2 |
| Stay same | 33 | 49 | 14 |
| Get worse | 60 | 42 | 85 |
| Interest rates | |||
| Improve (ie lower) | 8 | 9 | 8 |
| Stay same | 55 | 67 | 41 |
| Get worse (ie higher) | 36 | 23 | 51 |
| Unemployment | |||
| Improve | 35 | 56 | 11 |
| Stay same | 39 | 39 | 38 |
| Get worse | 24 | 6 | 48 |
Methodology: ComRes surveyed a representative sample of 150 MPs between 11 January and 23 February 2017 using online and self-completion postal questionnaires. ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Full tables available here.
