Updated: May 2026 · Sources: DBEIS, ONS, Companies House, IFS, Hansard
🏛 Opposition Scorecard — Leader
⚠️ OPPOSITION SCORECARD — This scores Kemi Badenoch's record while in government (Business Secretary 2022–2024) AND her current opposition performance. She is not currently in government. Score reflects both her government record and her alternative proposals as Conservative Leader.
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Kemi Badenoch

Leader of the Opposition  Conservative
Constituency: North West Essex  ·  Previously: Business Secretary 2022–2024
Overall Score
5.1/10
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Mixed
Budget Delivery55%
Promise Delivery52%
Fiscal Efficiency6/10
Public Confidence42%
Score reflects government record + opposition performance
① What Kemi Badenoch's Policies Cost Your Household

Based on her government record as Business Secretary 2022–2024. Net household impact from the decisions made under her departmental remit during the Conservative administration.

Policy / Decision Budget Outcome Direction Monthly Cost
Business Rates Relief Extended
Retail, hospitality & leisure — 75% relief maintained		 −£2.4bn Relief maintained Relief −£0.60
Energy Bill Support Scheme
£18bn scheme — ended March 2024		 £18bn Ended 2024 Ended — cost returned +£3.40
Post Office Compensation
Horizon scandal redress — new liability		 — £1.0bn New cost +£0.30
Help to Grow Scheme
SME digital & management training programme		 £0.5bn £0.2bn (−60%) Underspend −£0.10
Brexit Trade Adjustments
Non-tariff barriers, compliance costs, trade friction		 Various +£900m cost Cost increase +£0.90
TOTAL Net Government Record Impact
Average household per month, Conservative era under her remit		 +£3.90/mo
Cumulative Monthly Household Cost — Business Secretary Era
£8 £6 £4 £2 £0 £1 £3 £4 £4 £4 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 2025/26 2026/27

Cumulative estimated net monthly household cost from Business Secretary-era decisions. Energy support ending is the dominant driver of the net positive. Sources: DBEIS, OBR, IFS.

② Promises vs Reality
PARTIAL FAILURE RPC / GDP data 2026
"Cut business red tape to boost growth."
A 12% reduction in regulatory burden was reported — a positive step. But GDP growth remained sluggish throughout the Conservative era, and deregulation ambitions were substantially diluted in the Retained EU Law bill. Direction was right; delivery was partial.
ON TRACK Hansard 2026
"Oppose all unnecessary tax rises."
Has consistently opposed Labour's employer NI rise and income tax threshold extensions. Her opposition record on tax is one of the most coherent in the Conservative party — and the most credible area of the scorecard. A consistent and substantive record of opposition.
MIXED IFS 2026
"Develop a fully-costed Conservative alternative budget."
An alternative budget framework was published — more than the Conservatives typically produce in opposition. However, independent economists including the IFS identified an estimated £20bn funding gap in the proposed figures. Framework published; credibility contested.
③ Key Performance Indicators
KPI Target Actual Result Status Source
Business Start-ups Rising Up 3.2% ON TRACK Companies House 2026
R&D Investment +10% Up 4.1% OFF TRACK ONS 2026
Trade Balance Improving −£35bn deficit OFF TRACK ONS 2026
Regulatory Burden −20% −12% OFF TRACK RPC 2026
SME Credit Access Good Tightening MIXED BBA 2026
Opposition Effectiveness High 31% rate effective MIXED Poll of polls 2026
Poll Lead Positive Conservatives +2pts ON TRACK Poll of polls 2026
Policy Costing Credibility High Mixed reviews MIXED IFS 2026
Energy Costs (legacy) Falling Still elevated OFF TRACK Ofgem 2026
Post-Brexit Trade Growing EU trade flat OFF TRACK ONS 2026
④ Every Penny In, Every Penny Out

DBEIS spending and savings record under the Conservative government — covering Kemi Badenoch's time as Business Secretary 2022–2024.

SAVINGS & RELIEF
Business rates relief −£2.4bn/yr
Help to Grow underspend −£0.3bn
Deregulation cost savings −£0.5bn/yr
TOTAL SAVINGS −£3.2bn/yr
COSTS & LIABILITIES
Energy bill support scheme £18.0bn
Post Office compensation £1.0bn
Brexit trade adjustments +£0.9bn/yr
R&D scheme management +£0.2bn/yr
TOTAL COSTS (period) £20.1bn+
Context: The £18bn energy support scheme was a response to the post-Ukraine energy crisis — expensive but provided real relief during a genuine emergency. The underlying problem (energy cost elevation) was not resolved, and households continued to face elevated bills after the scheme ended. Business rates relief was the most structurally positive policy in her record.
⑤ Questions the Public Are Asking
What are Kemi Badenoch's specific plans to reduce household taxes?
As of May 2026, Badenoch has opposed Labour's employer NI rise, the income tax threshold freeze, and business rate increases. Her alternative budget framework proposes spending cuts and efficiency savings. However, specific household tax cuts with fully OBR-verified costings have not yet been published. The IFS identified an estimated £20bn funding gap in the framework presented. Specific plans are pending a full alternative manifesto.
How would the Conservatives fund their alternative budget?
Badenoch's Conservatives propose cutting state expenditure — reducing the size of government, reforming quangos, and tackling welfare dependency. The theory is credible; the delivery arithmetic is contested. Independent economists point to a £20bn gap between stated spending reductions and promised commitments. Until a full shadow budget with OBR verification is published, this question remains unanswered.
What would a Conservative government do differently on energy costs?
Badenoch has advocated for more North Sea oil and gas production, faster energy infrastructure permitting, and removing environmental levies from household bills. As Business Secretary she oversaw the £18bn energy support scheme. A Conservative government would likely pursue more domestic supply and fewer renewable obligation levies, though independent analysts note this would take years to affect household prices.
How does Kemi Badenoch rate the current government's economic management?
Badenoch has consistently criticised Labour's October 2024 Budget — calling the employer NI rise a tax on jobs, and the threshold freeze a stealth tax. She has opposed the £40bn tax increase and argued it has damaged business confidence and suppressed wage growth. In PMQs she has challenged the government's growth record and inflation management. Her opposition performance has been substantive on economics.
What is the Conservative position on fiscal drag?
This is an awkward question for Badenoch: the income tax personal allowance freeze — the primary mechanism of fiscal drag — was introduced by the Conservative government she served in. She has now called for threshold indexation to be restored. But the Conservatives created the freeze and Labour extended it. Badenoch's position has evolved: she now opposes it but was part of the government that introduced it.
Public Sentiment
YouGov · May 2026
Approve42%
Disapprove48%
How have her policies affected you?
Significantly worse off38%
Somewhat worse off29%
No change22%
Better off11%
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Informal public poll. Not a scientific survey. One vote per session.

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