More than half of Brits back higher defence spending as pressure mounts on Starmer... but most want the 'rich' and benefit claimants to foot the bill

By JAMES TAPSFIELD, UK POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 12:33, 1 June 2026 | Updated: 12:36, 1 June 2026 More than half of Brits back higher defence spending as pressure mounts on Keir Starmer. A YouGov poll found 56 per cent of Brits want higher investment, with just 26 per cent saying the level should remain the same and 6 per cent lower. There was strong support for a rise across the main parties, with an increase even the preferred option for 30 per cent of Green voters - although 28 per cent said it should be held and 16 per cent cut. However, the figures suggest the public is unwilling to foot the bill personally.  When supporters of an increase were asked what measures they supported to find funding, there was a net positive score of 43 for top-rate taxpayers bearing the burden.  Lifting the higher rate had a score of 20, while cutting welfare for the jobless rated at 36 and curbing spending on renewable energy infrastructure 15. A YouGov poll found 56 per cent of Brits want higher investment, with just 26 per cent saying the level should remain the same and 6 per cent lower The poll - carried out at the end of April - was released as ministers continue to wrangle over how to fill an estimated £28billion hole in the defence budget for the next four years All the other measures listed in the poll had negative scores. That included minus 28 for raising the basic rate of tax, minus 48 for freezing the state pension level, and minus 66 for reducing spending on the NHS.  The poll - carried out at the end of April - was released as ministers continue to wrangle over how to fill an estimated £28billion hole in the defence budget for the next four years. The Treasury has been trying to limit how much extra cash it has to find, despite growing alarm at the threats facing the country. There had been briefings the long-awaited defence investment plan might finally be released this week as the Commons returns from recess. However, Government sources have played down the prospect of an announcement. Nato officials have been voicing concern that the package will not be ready in time for a summit in July - when Donald Trump is set to up pressure on the alliance. When supporters of an increase were asked what measures they supported to find funding, there was a net positive score of 43 for top-rate taxpayers bearing the burden Tensions have been building after the US president criticised partners for refusing to back his war against Iran. The Government has pledged to increase defence spending to 2.7 per cent of GDP from next year, rising to 3.5 per cent by 2035 in response to an increasingly volatile geopolitical climate. Lord George Robertson, a former Labour defence secretary and one of the authors of the Strategic Defence Review, used a lecture last month to hit out at the Government's 'corrosive complacency' on defence spending and accused the Prime Minister of being unwilling to 'make the necessary investment'. The comments below have not been moderated. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.