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# Wages
Two-thirds of people back Government's overall Budget strategy
An independent poll shows most people support the focus on spending cuts rather than tax increases.
SOME 68 PER CENT of Irish people have seen their take-home wages fall in the last year, a new poll has shown.
And one in three people fear they will be unable to meet at least one mortgage repayment over the coming year – with almost one in ten having already resorted to borrowing from moneylenders to make ends meet.
However, the survey carried out by Amárach Research for the Irish Daily Mail and RTÉ Frontline shows broad support for the Government’s approach in making savings. Just over two thirds agree with the focus on cutting spending programmes rather than increasing taxes.
Nevertheless, 76 per cent would favour an increase in the top rate of income tax. The rate, which has already been increased in previous Budgets from 40 to 42 per cent, largely affects those earning more than around €30,000 a year.
One in 20 people in the survey of 1,000 adults admitted to not declaring income to avoid tax.
The survey showed 19 per cent of people – almost one in five – have already missed at least one mortgage repayment, with the average number of payments missed standing at 3.3. More than one in four have missed a payment on another form of loan.
Almost everybody – 94 per cent – said they had reduced their spending in the last year.
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