Government is coming under increasing pressure to cut USC

All major parties want to keep the controversial tax — which generates around €5bn each year — despite a seismic shift in attitude among their own supporters

Fine Gael are also conscious that the Fianna Fáil minister will want to put his party’s tax stamp on the upcoming budget and may focus on USC. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

The Government is coming under mounting pressure to cut the universal social charge (USC) in Budget 2024, with almost seven out of 10 voters calling for a complete scrapping of the levy.

All major parties want to keep the controversial tax — which generates around €5bn each year — despite a seismic shift in attitude from their own supporters in response to the cost-of-living crisis.