{"id":138896,"date":"2022-03-24T15:05:59","date_gmt":"2022-03-24T14:05:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vuelio.com\/uk\/?p=138896"},"modified":"2022-03-24T17:09:45","modified_gmt":"2022-03-24T16:09:45","slug":"2022-spring-statement-twitter-reaction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vuelio.com\/uk\/blog\/2022-spring-statement-twitter-reaction\/","title":{"rendered":"2022 Spring Statement: Twitter reaction"},"content":{"rendered":"

While Chancellor Rishi Sunak\u2019s Spring Statement for 2022 wasn\u2019t expected to include any shocking announcements, media commentary and reaction across social media shows surprise regarding the \u2018mini Budget\u2019s\u2019 focus, and which topics were notably absent or given shorter shrift.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Full summary of the Spring Statement 2022<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Using data from our sister social listening platform Pulsar<\/a> from the start of the announcements on 23 March to this morning, we can produce an overview of the online conversation around Sunak\u2019s statement, with analysis of over 14 thousand posts across Twitter.<\/p>\n

The Media Reaction<\/span><\/strong>
\nFirst \u2013 the media reaction since Sunak\u2019s announcements and Shadow Minister Rachel Reeves\u2019 follow-up. Predictions of what the Spring Statement would focus on from media commentators<\/a> across the UK national press<\/a> highlighted<\/a> the cost of living crisis, the National Insurance hike, energy bills and the impact of the Ukraine war. Considering how much these topics have taken up column inches over the last month, it seemed it was a safe bet. A look at the headlines this morning, however, shows the surprise that met some of Sunak\u2019s choices.<\/p>\n

Sunak\u2019s focus on the impact of the Ukraine crisis for much of his opening statements yesterday is echoed in the Daily Mail\u2019s coverage from yesterday \u2013 \u2018We\u2019ll all end up worse<\/a>\u2019 \u2013 while his \u2018uncomfortable<\/a>\u2019 appearance on LBC last night features this morning. Papers including The Sun highlighted the \u2018winners and losers<\/a>\u2019 after the wrap-up yesterday, with closer investigation made this morning in publications including The Guardian, which highlights \u2018the forgotten millions<\/a>\u2019 in its overview of press coverage.<\/p>\n

Public Reaction<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Political figures under discussion<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Political<\/p>\n

Reaction to Spring Statement across Twitter 23 Mar 12.30pm \u2013 24 Mar 9.00am<\/em><\/p>\n

Naturally, Sunak took up majority of the Twitter conversation of political figures involved in the statement (88.1% – 11.54k).<\/p>\n

Benefits, universal credit and the NHS were clearly a key concern for the public, as a tweet highlighting these topics received some of the highest engagement:<\/p>\n

\n

What did not Sunak not do today? Nothing for those on benefits. Nothing on universal credit. No help for the NHS. Nothing on care. No windfall tax. Just \u00a3500 million to help those in fuel poverty. Nothing but a VAT cut for the Green New Deal. This is a disaster #budget2022<\/a><\/p>\n

— Richard Murphy (@RichardJMurphy) March 23, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n