Brits Favor Defense Spending Boost Through Benefit Cuts, Poll Finds

Almost half of Britons support cutting welfare benefits to increase defense spending, a new poll indicates. The Savanta survey found that 44% of adults favor reducing these payments to allocate more funds to the Armed Forces, while 34% oppose such measures.

This finding comes as the government faces decisions on how to address a significant shortfall in defense spending plans. The poll presented voters with five options for increasing defense funds, with cutting foreign aid emerging as a more popular choice, supported by 63% of respondents. Options such as increased government borrowing, higher taxes, or reductions in public services received less backing. Specifically, 47% opposed increased borrowing, and 64% were against tax rises for defense, while 75% did not want to see reductions in public services like healthcare, schools, or policing.

The poll was conducted for the Institute of Research and Reforms (IRR) International ahead of the Chancellor's budget announcement. Among those who voted Conservative in the 2024 general election, support for cutting foreign aid reached 81%, and 85% of Reform UK voters shared this view. Similarly, 70% of Conservative voters and 64% of Reform voters backed welfare cuts to bolster defense spending. In contrast, only 39% of Labour voters supported welfare cuts for this purpose.

When asked about personal willingness to pay more tax for increased defense spending, 62% of all voters were unwilling, compared to 30% who were willing. Regarding current tax levels, 43% believe they pay too much, the same proportion as those who feel they pay the right amount.

Chancellor John Healey is expected to outline how the government plans to cover a £4.7 billion deficit in current defense spending projections. However, he is not anticipated to present a plan for reaching the NATO target of 3% of GDP on defense by 2030, or 3.5% by 2035. This approach follows Healey's earlier resignation as defense secretary over the issue. A comprehensive strategy for defense funding is reportedly being deferred to a spending review next year.

Opposition figures have criticized the delay. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch described the postponement in setting out defense funding increases as 'unconscionable' given perceived threats, particularly from Russia. She stated that if the budget does not provide the necessary funds, Healey has 'an awful lot of explaining to do,' emphasizing that Britain's security is at risk.

Badenoch also outlined Conservative proposals for over £70 billion in savings, including substantial welfare cuts, to fund an increased defense budget.

Ali Rehman Malik, chairman of IRR International, commented on the public's stated preferences, noting that tax rises and cuts to essential public services face strong opposition. He suggested that while cutting overseas aid might be considered, the government must carefully examine the broader implications. "A defence budget can be strengthened on paper while the wider conditions that contribute to security are weakened elsewhere," Malik stated, urging a comprehensive understanding of the consequences across the entire system before making isolated funding decisions. He emphasized that national security encompasses more than just military capability, including institutional resilience, economic security, and international relationships.