Voters 'back top earner tax hikes'

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More than three quarters (76%) backed moves to impose a new 45% rate on those earning over £150,000, research carried out by the Fabian Society suggested.

But there was also a clear majority in favour of going further with 69% believing a 50% rate for those on salaries of £250,000 and above would also be fair.

The findings, based on polling by YouGov and a series of focus groups around the country, showed 70% believed "those at the top are failing to pay their fair share towards investment in public services".

City bankers were rated more overpaid than anyone other than Premiership footballers and should be forced to pay back bonuses when their institutions fail, the research also found.

Financiers were second in the list, ahead of lawyers, MPs and estate agents, and also showed strong public support for much higher income tax rates for top earners.

In the wake of the taxpayer-funded bank bail out, a massive 87% thought bankers earned too much and 80% said bonuses should only be paid in reward for long-term success.

Most (70%) thought ordinary employees should have a voice in setting top executives' bonuses and 56% said the last two years' worth of such perks should be repaid by those who oversaw failure.

Premiership footballers were thought to earn too much by 96% - with 77% thinking the same about lawyers, 71% MPs and 55% estate agents.

The worst remunerated were nurses and office cleaners - considered underpaid by 73% and 72% of voters. Social workers were generally considered underpaid but most people thought doctors' pay packets were "about right".