Most voters believe taxes will rise if Labour wins the next general election.

A Populus survey carried out for the Times on Wednesday found 71 per cent of those questioned think they will have to give more of their income to a re-elected Blair government.

That includes 55 per cent of Labour supporters and 70 per cent of swing voters, which will cause party election planners concern as they prepare for the forthcoming campaign.

However in better news for the chancellor 64 per cent think "Britain’s economy is doing well" and 43 per cent think the state of the economy is "largely because of Gordon Brown's policies".

Professionals and managers are more likely to give him credit for a strong economy than working-class groups.

Nearly half of those questioned (48 per cent) think taxes will rise if the Tories are elected, with just 13 per cent saying the Conservatives would cut taxes.

Spending support

In a warning to all parties, there is widespread opposition to further tax rises with 63 per cent preferring a reduction in spending to a rise in taxation.

But following the Gershon and James reviews recommending cutting waste in the civil service, 68 per cent of voters say they would prefer any money saved from a lowering of administrative costs to go to increased spending on public services rather than on tax cuts.

That is the preference of Labour voters by 75 per cent and of 60 per cent Tories.

Voters are evenly split about whether the economy is strong enough to increase spending on public services further without tax rises.