The YouGov poll commissioned by Best for Britain found that 46% of respondents think a new trade deal with the UK’s largest market is a better way to grow the economy, thereby boosting public finances, compared to 28% who think cutting benefits is the way to go.
Notably, closer trade links with the EU is even more popular among the voters who swept Labour to power at last year’s election, with around two thirds (65%) thinking it would pay greater economic dividends, more than four times as many Labour voters who opted for benefit cuts (15%).
The government is facing intense criticism and a potential rebellion of backbench MPs over proposals to cut public spending by reducing payments for people with debilitating health conditions as a way to coax them into employment. The move follows their announcement last month that spending on international development will also be slashed.
However, with reports suggesting the OBR will half its projections for UK economic growth next week, recent independent research by Frontier Economics commissioned by Best for Britain suggests that the government can boost the UK economy by as much as 2.2% through closer alignment with the EU, with the strongest growth projected in the Midlands and North of England.
The data
Poll commissioned by Best for Britain. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,187 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 19th - 20th March 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).
Data tables published on YouGov's website.
The question was:
Out of the following, which do you think would be the most effective way for the Government to grow the UK's economy
- Cutting welfare/benefits to encourage people to get into work
- Agreeing to a new trade deal with the European Union (EU)
- Neither of these
- Don't know