‘Botched’ budget sees surge for opposition

A STRONG voter backlash against a “botched” budget has seen the combined support for Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil pull level with the Coalition.

The surge in support for the parties vying to emerge as the main opposition challenger to the Government followed a generally poor reception for the €3.8 billion worth of spending cuts and tax hikes unveiled earlier this month.

Fine Gael support slumped seven points to 30%, while Labour lost nearly a third of its appeal, tumbling to 11%, according to the latest snap-shot of voting intentions.