Vote in our Independent Money poll: Which Budget announcement are you most disappointed in?

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Every Tuesday, our Independent Money newsletter lands in inboxes with expert insight and practical advice on the financial issues that matter most – from the cost of living crisis to smart saving strategies and key economic trends.

Written by Business and Money Editor Karl Matchett, the newsletter also features a weekly money poll, giving readers the chance to weigh in on the financial topics behind the week’s biggest stories.

You can vote in this week’s poll right here – and we’ll be updating this article each week with the latest poll and recording the final results, so you can see how other readers are responding over time.

For analysis of the results and more expert commentary, make sure you’re signed up to the Independent Money newsletter.

Not subscribed yet? It’s free and easy to join – just head to our newsletter preference centre, press the ‘+’ button next to Independent Money, and enter your email address. You can also sign up via the email box at the top of this page.

Each poll runs for one week, with results published here once voting closes – so don’t forget to check back.

This week’s money poll

Want to share your thoughts and be in with a chance of being featured in the newsletter? Click here to leave a comment.

Previous results

When did you last change your main bank?

1. I've never changed it – 61%
2. Within the past 6 months – 22%
3. 2 to 5 years ago – 13%
4. 6 months to 2 years ago – 4%

How has Budget uncertainty affected your money?

1. It hasn't! – 71%
2. Added to cash ISA – 14%
3. Adjusted pension – 14%

Does your main savings account match the Bank of England’s interest rate?

1. More than 4% – 44%
2. Between 3-4% – 22%
3. Between 1-3% – 17%
4. Exactly 4% – 9%
5. I don't know my rate – 4%
6. I don't have a savings account – 4%

Which of these would be MOST likely to encourage you to invest in stocks/shares/funds?

1. Better availability of investing information/education – 26%
2. There is nothing that will encourage me to invest – 26%
3. Stamp duty removed from UK shares – 22%
4. Automatic enrolment ability through salary (similar to pension) –13%
5. A lower cash ISA allowance – 9%
6. Other – 4%

How should stamp duty be reformed?

1. Replace it with a fairer property tax such as a mansion tax – 37%
2. Abolish it entirely – it’s an outdated tax – 29%
3. Raise thresholds so fewer people pay – 22%
4. Keep it, but introduce exemptions – 6%
5. Leave it as it is – housing reform should focus elsewhere – 6%

How much do you invest in your pension or ISA every month?

1. More than £400 a month – 51%
2. £251-£400 – 19%
3. £0-50 – 14%
4. £51-250 – 8%
5. I don't and don't intend to – 5%
6. I don't, but want to start – 3%

Have potential changes to pensions and inheritance tax changed your plans for saving for retirement?

1. No - I was actively saving and continue doing so – 41%
2. Yes - I'm spending more now rather than saving into pension – 26%
3. Yes - I've withdrawn from my pension early – 18%
4. No - I wasn't actively saving into a pension – 15%

How much easily accessible cash do you/your family/household have in savings?

1. More than £5k – 60%
2. £501-1000 – 8%
3. £1001-20002 – 4%
4. Less than £100 – 3%
5. £100-500 – 3%
6. £2001-£5000 – 2%

Which describes your current pension position best?

1. I'm of pension age and withdrawing mine as income – 38%
2. I'm contributing only to workplace pension – 27%
3. Actively paying into a SIPP or private pension as well – 24%
4. Other – 10%
5. I stopped my workplace pension auto enrolment for more salary – 1%

If you had a lump sum to save or invest for the future, where would you put it?

1. Pension – 41%
2. Savings account – 26%
3. Premium Bonds – 15%
4. Stocks and shares – 12%
5. Property – 6%

If you own your home, when are you due to renew your mortgage deal?

1. Beyond/no mortgage – 43%
2. Before the end of this year – 29%
3. Already renewed in 2025 – 14%
4. During 2026 – 14%

How often have you used a Buy Now, Pay Later service?

1. Never – 67%
2. Lots, ongoing – 14%
3. Once/occasionally – 10%
4. It's my main way of paying – 9%

Do you know what interest rate you are getting on your main savings account?

1. 4%-5% – 52%
2. Above 2% but below 4% – 26%
3. Under 2% – 9%
4. Above 5% – 9%
5. I don't know/no savings account used at present – 4%

Which supermarket do you use for your main shopping needs?

1. Aldi and Lidl – 45%
2. Tesco – 14%
3. Asda – 12%
4. Sainsbury’s – 12%
5. M&S or Waitrose – 9%
6. Morrisons – 8%

Do you contribute to a separate pension, in addition to your workplace one?

1. Yes, a SIPP (Self-Invested Person Pension) – 31%
2. Yes, a managed private pension – 26%
3. No, but I want to – 19%
4. No, and I have no plans to – 13%
5. Yes, both – 10%

What do you think the state pension age should be?

1. 65 – 46%
2. 60 – 29%
3. 67 – 14%
4. 70 or higher – 7%
5. It should vary based on job type/health – 4%

Do you already invest privately (outside of a workplace pension), and if not, would you do so?

1. Yes, I already invest – 51%
2. No, I don’t have any interest – 27%
3. No, I don’t think it’s safe – 11%
4. I would, but I’m not sure where to start – 7%
5. I would, but I don’t have spare cash – 4%

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