Seven in 10 people believe the UK spends too much on international aid, polling evidence has revealed, amid rows over the future spending priorities of the Government.
Prime Minister David Cameron committed on entering office to protecting the Department for International Development (DFID) budget and bringing the aid budget up to 0.7% of GDP. This year, about £6.7 billion was allocated to the department.
But only 7% of respondents to an ITV ComRes polls believe the Government should stick to its plan to increase aid spending and shield it from cuts hitting much of Whitehall.
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has called for the defence budget to be shielded from further austerity by cutting the welfare budget.
Backbench Tories have repeatedly called for the DFID budget to be frozen or cut, with the savings going to the Ministry of Defence.
Mr Cameron suggested last month that some of the DFID budget could be used to supplement defence spending in parts of the world where Britain is working to support peace.
Almost two thirds – 64% – of those polled said Britain should stop sending aid to India.
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