More Britons oppose legislation to tackle tax avoidance than are angered by government abuse of mental health laws, according to the results of a poll commissioned by Whitehouse Consultancy.

The PR and lobbying agency found that 70% of respondents objected to Treasury plans to retrospectively clampdown on marketed avoidance schemes – but the backdating of rules to prevent illegally sectioned individuals from launching legal challenges outraged only 61%.

The hypothetical manipulation of the Mental Health Act appeared as if real alongside genuine tax proposals in an online survey by ComRes on behalf of the Whitehouse Consultancy, which is campaigning against plans for accelerated payment notices.

The five-question poll taken by 2,052 people also suggested that the coalition administration intends to lower the motorway speed limit and prosecute anyone who has driven at more than 60mph in the past ten years.

The non-existent plan was the most objectionable, ComRes found, with 83% of respondents offering a negative reaction.

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