THE decimation of public services has been linked to declining trust in politicians and the slide towards extremism, according to a new poll. 

Carried out by the TUC and Hope Not Hate, research found that two thirds of those asked agreed they would have more trust in politicians if the government delivered better quality public services.

Seven in 10 respondents also said they agreed that “the wealthy should pay more tax to fund decent public services.”

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said that after 14 years of Tory cuts, “everyone is saying the same thing: nothing seems to work anymore.

“Austerity damaged more than services like schools and hospitals, it damaged faith in politics too, and this has created opportunities for populists and extremists to exploit.

“After more than a decade of cuts, services across the public sector are short-staffed, cash-strapped and overwhelmed.

“Funding them properly is essential to bringing Britain out of decline.

“With the global economy becoming more challenging, it’s more important for the Chancellor to stay the course,” he said.