Voters of all parties want bold action on health – and don’t see it as part of a ‘nanny state’, new IPPR report finds

A new report from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) and Public First challenges the idea that the British public is resistant to government action on public health. It reveals instead a strong appetite for intervention, particularly in communities that could decide the next general election. 

The research reveals how voters really feel about public health, and how thoughtful, decisive action could deliver not only a healthier nation, but a winning strategy at the ballot box. Far from fearing state overreach, the public wants the government to step up – both with stricter regulation and increased support for families and children. 

The research found especially strong support for government action in four critical areas: 

• Housing standards: 80 per cent support tougher rules for landlords to ensure healthier living conditions.
• Workplace health: 71 per cent believe employers should be held accountable for staff wellbeing.
• Food and drink regulation: 65 per cent back banning junk food advertising in public spaces.
• Children and schools: 70 per cent want to see more investment in early childhood programmes like Sure Start and 67 per cent support free school meals for all state school pupils. 

Polling and focus group data reveal that voters across political divides see health as a fairness issue – not just a matter of personal responsibility, but of the environments shaping people's everyday choices.

Notably, the public holds the food and drinks industry more accountable for the nation's health than even the NHS: 84 per cent of adults believe the industry bears a “great” or “fair amount” of responsibility for public health, compared with 79 per cent who say the same of the NHS. 

The data also shows a strong perceived link between health and the economy. Poor mental and physical health were the top public explanations for the UK's slow productivity growth, ahead of Brexit, poor infrastructure or lack of investment. 83 per cent agreed that healthy people are more productive, and 66 per cent said investing in health grows the economy.  

The report argues that health is a top-tier electoral issue, with voters ranking it just behind the cost of living as one of the most pressing challenges facing the country. Crucially, this interest is not just confined to traditional Labour voters – support for state action is strong in key marginal areas and among those whose support parties will need to win in 2029. 

Sebastian Rees, principal research fellow and head of health at IPPR, said:  

“These findings dismantle the long-held assumption that bold health policy is politically risky. In reality, voters across the political spectrum see improving public health as a top priority and want the government to do more to allow them to live healthier lives.  

“The vast majority of people don't see getting tough on the causes of illness as ‘nanny-statism', but as a downpayment on the nation's future health and wealth. Taking on powerful interests who undermine health – rogue landlords, toxic employers, and junk food advertisers – is seen as both fair and necessary to this cause.” 

NOTES TO EDITORS 

Methodology and details of polling: to understand how voters feel about public health interventions and their political implications, Public First conducted a nationally representative poll of 2,010 UK adults alongside four in-depth focus groups in key electoral battlegrounds. Polling took place 23rd to 28th January 2025. Focus groups targeted two distinct voter groups in constituencies that will be pivotal to any party's success at the next general election:  

1. Conservative to Labour switchers in marginal seats: held in two Conservative-Labour marginals (Cities of London and Westminster and Redditch), these groups were formed of people who voted Conservative in 2019 but backed Labour in 2024.
2. Labour voters now open to Reform: Conducted in two Labour-held seats where Reform came second (Bolton South and Walkden and Derby South), these groups were formed of people who voted Labour in 2024 but are now considering voting Reform.

1. Alongside these qualitative insights, the nationally representative 2,010 sample poll tested public attitudes at scale, quantifying the level of support for government intervention, the factors that drive or reduce backing for health policies and the electoral salience of public health as an issue. Full data tables are available at: https://www.publicfirst.co.uk/new-polling-for-the-institute-for-public-policy-research.html