Majority of Britons back cutting benefits to fund defence

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 26 Oct, 22:20 · Archive

A poll finds 57 per cent of Britons support cutting welfare spending to boost military expenditure.

A poll by More in Common finds 57 per cent of Britons support cutting welfare spending to boost defence, whilst 43 per cent oppose it. The finding comes as Chancellor John Healey prepares his first Budget under Andy Burnham's leadership and faces pressure to find billions in savings to help ramp up Britain's military spending towards the Nato target of 3.5 per cent of national output by 2035.

Support for the trade-off is strongest among those who voted Conservative in 2024, with 78 per cent in favour, and Reform UK voters at 76 per cent. Of Labour's 2024 voters, 55 per cent support cutting benefits to fund defence, whilst 45 per cent do not.

Opposition is concentrated among younger people and those struggling financially. Some 61 per cent of those unable to afford the cost of living oppose cutting benefits for defence, as do 57 per cent of Gen Z. Luke Tryl, UK Director at More in Common, said 'the argument of cutting benefits for defence is popular with voters overall'.

How it is being reported

• Healey's smoke and mirrors defence funding is no way to provide national security, warns ALEX BRUMMEROne shouldn't doubt the Chancellor's sincerity in seeking to boost Britain's defence spending to meet the Nato target of 3.5% of national output by 2035.This is Money · 26 Oct, 22:00
• Cut benefits to fund defence, say majority of Britons in new poll ahead of BudgetFormer defence secretary Mr Healey is under pressure to find billions of savings to help ramp up Britain’s military spendingThe Independent · 26 Oct, 15:25

In this story: John Healey · Andy Burnham · Keir Starmer · Rachel Reeves · More in Common · NATO · Britain

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