Public slam aid policy
The public strongly opposes protecting the UK’s aid budget, according to
new research published today by PoliticsHome and YouGov@Cambridge. The poll found 56% of voters opposed ring-fencing funds for international development and increasing the budget to 0.7% of Government spending. They were also 25% less likely to give to charities carrying out overseas development such as Oxfam and Save the Children.
Current policy is also damaging David Cameron’s reputation, with nearly 4 in 10 voters saying it made them feel less favourable towards the Prime Minister. Voters’ response to the Coalition was also damaged, with 37% saying they felt less favourable towards the Government, and that same figure again feeling less favourable towards the Conservative Party.
Those who supported aid were more likely to call it 'international aid', while those who opposed the programme were more likely to call it ‘foreign aid’. Conservative voters and those aged over 60 were the most likely to oppose aid.