The majority of Britons back increasing National Insurance rates for self-employed people, a Sky Data poll reveals.

The policy, announced by Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond in his inaugural Budget, will raise National Insurance contributions of some self-employed by 2% by 2019 to be in line with other workers.

The move appears to breach a Conservative manifesto pledge from the 2015 election not to raise National Insurance contributions.

Some 57% of the public back the National Insurance hike, while 30% oppose it. 13% answered that they don't know.

Meanwhile, following former Conservative leader and foreign secretary William Hague's call for an early election, the majority of Britons would support bringing the general election forward to this year.


56% would support a snap election, while 32% would oppose it, with 12% answering that they don't know.

There is support from all demographics for the Prime Minister to make such a move, though young voters are more enthusiastic than their elders.

Almost two thirds of 18-34s (63%) would support an early election while 26% would oppose, while 50% support and 41% oppose among those aged 55 or over.

Sky Data interviewed a nationally representative sample of 1,000 Sky customers via SMS on 8 March 2017. Data are weighted to the profile of the population. For full Sky Data tables, please click here.