Nearly one in two Britons would refuse to fight for their country in any circumstances, according to new research. The Ipsos polling found that 48% say there are no circumstances in which they would be willing to take up arms and go to war for Britain.
This was the case for 56% of women and four in 10 men, including 48% of Labour voters, 45% of those who supported Reform UK at the last election, and 40% of people who backed the Conservatives.
Support for Increased Defence Spending
There is strong support for extra defence spending, with 51% backing more investment even if it means cuts to public services, higher taxes or extra borrowing. Fewer than three in 10 Britons (29%) believe the state of the armed forces is “good” and 36% now believe it is “bad”.
Three in four Britons would support increasing defence spending if it led to more jobs, including apprenticeships for young people. While 73% are confident the armed forces can play a useful role in tasks such as dealing with floods, just 51% are sure they can defend Britain against an attack.
Public Confidence and Funding Preferences
Only 52% think the armed forces provide value for money for the cash they receive, and just 35% are confident they provide good-quality mental healthcare to personnel and veterans.
Since April last year, the share of Britons who want the UK to prioritise building a closer relationship with NATO has shot up by 10 points to 49%. The share wanting a closer defence partnership with the European Union has risen by nine points to 50%. Only 37% want a closer relationship with the United States, up four points.
Tax Options and War Bonds
Forty-six percent of Britons would support a tax hike on earnings above £125,000 to fund defence. But a mere 4% favoured higher taxes on earnings between £12,570 and £50,000, and a paltry 3% would back a VAT rise.
Fewer than three in 10 (28%) say they would be likely to buy war bonds to support new investment. However, 39% would be willing to see higher tobacco and alcohol duty to support the armed forces.
Political Reactions
Lord Dannatt, the former head of the British Army, told the Express that the Government needed to make a “clear statement of the threats to our security” to make the case for increasing the defence budget. He said: “This poll suggests that the Government needs to give a firm lead on defence issues in order to build a consensus within the country. There needs to be a clear statement of the threats to our security and therefore the need to increase the defence Budget.
“This statement would also influence the proportion of the population willing to join the armed forces in extremis. The Government also needs to be very clear about the impact of security challenges on the population to promote resilience. We should not be scared of these challenges but be prepared to face them, [with] sensible precautions both as individuals and as a country.”
Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge said: “In an increasingly uncertain and dangerous world, with threats growing on multiple fronts, we need to get serious about funding defence and make the tough choices needed to protect our national security. That means cutting welfare spending and investing billions into improving our defensive capability.
“Yet Labour continues to prioritise a ballooning welfare bill over our national security. The Chancellor absolutely has to set out his plan for 3% in the Budget – anything less would be a dereliction of duty.”
Caroline Paskell, Ipsos’s research director, said: “Our latest polling underscores the continued public recognition of the demands facing Britain’s armed forces, with half of Britons backing an increase in defence spending despite wider economic pressures. However, the public mood remains finely balanced when faced with the direct trade-offs required to fund this expansion.
“While there is strong enthusiasm for military investment that delivers broader economic dividends, such as job creation and civilian infrastructure, resistance grows sharply when funding mechanisms touch personal taxation or cuts to cherished public services. The key challenge for ministers will be navigating these competing fiscal priorities, communicating clearly how increased security investment can coexist with public service protection and broader economic growth.”
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “In an increasingly dangerous world, we are stepping up to protect the UK. There has never been a more important time to join defence and with more people now joining the armed forces than leaving, that reflects the growing confidence in the opportunities and benefits that Service life offers. This Government is determined to build on that progress. A career in the armed forces provides incredible opportunities for people from all backgrounds to develop their skills, fulfil their potential and come together in the shared defence of our nation.”
