Voters across all main parties support the government’s plan to fund increase in defence spending by cutting overseas aid
As part of a wider rethink of Britain’s defence policies, Keir Starmer has announced plans to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, with this boost funded by cuts to Britain’s foreign aid budget.
But while the policy has received criticism from international development organisations, it is supported by the public, with two-thirds of Britons (65%) in favour of increasing defence spending at the expense of overseas aid. This compares with just 20% of Britons opposing the policy.
While support is highest among Reform UK (91%) and Conservative voters (83%), six in ten Lib Dem (62%) and Labour voters (61%) are also in favour of shifting spending from aid to defence.
Younger Britons are more sceptical of the change, however, with 18-24 year olds divided 35% to 37% on whether or not they support increasing defence spending by reducing the overseas aid budget. This compares to 55% of 25-49 year olds, 77% of 50-64 year olds and 86% of over 65s being in favour of the new policy.
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