09-06-2025
Brits back cuts to foreign aid, benefits and Net Zero to fund the NHS and police - amid fears Rachel Reeves is plotting tax hikes instead
Brits back cuts to foreign aid, benefits and Net Zero to bolster spending in other areas, according to a poll.
YouGov research has given an insight into the public's priorities as Rachel Reeves prepares to unveil departmental budgets for the next three years.
Fears are mounting that the Chancellor will have to impose more tax hikes later in the year, as the stalling economy and demands for more defence cash squeeze the government finances.
According to the survey, foreign aid was the most popular target for cuts - despite having already been slashed by billions of pounds to bolster defence.
Some 65 per cent endorsed trimming the development budget, including a majority of supporters of all major parties.
More welfare cuts were the preference of 41 per cent, although 18 per cent wanted higher spending, The Times reported.
Despite a brewing revolt by Labour MPs, even among the party's voters 31 per cent were behind trimming benefits costs. Just over a fifth supported higher spending and 40 per cent said the level was about right.
Curbing spend on Net Zero was backed by 40 per cent, but 30 per cent said those budgets should be maintained and 20 per cent said they should be higher.
Ms Reeves is due to lay out departmental allocations running up to 2029 - the likely timetable for the next general election - on Wednesday.
But the generous fiscal envelope set at the Budget last Autumn has been put under massive pressure by the economic slowdown, calls for more defence cash, and Labour revolts on benefits.
Ms Reeves has been signalled she will announce real-terms increases to budgets for police as she tries to quell Home Office resistance.
However, that is likely to be offset by cuts to other areas, with the NHS and defence sucking up funding.
