Money
21 July 2010
 |
| |
The public strongly disagrees with the Prime Minister's decision to ring-fence overseas aid from any spending cuts. In a massive poll on Consumer Revenge website MoneySavingExpert.com, almost half voted it as their top chop. However, they agree with his decision to protect health; it came top in the poll of what to protect.
The site polled over 24,000 in two surveys: the first asked what people would like to cut, the second want they wanted to protect.
Full poll results (24,400 votes)
Top Chops
1st choice spending cut
1. Overseas Aid (43%)
2. Social Protection (26%)
3. Defence (21%)
4. Health (3%)
5. Housing (2%)
6. Transport (2%)
7. Environment (1%)
8. Education (1%)
9. Law & order (1%)
Top Saves
1st choice to save from cuts
1. Health (37%)
2. Education (20%)
3. Social protection (11%)
4. Defence (9%)
5. Law & order (8%)
6. Overseas aid (6%)
7. Transport (5%)
8. Environment (3%)
9. Housing (2%)
Net Ratings
Protect vote - cut vote
1. Health (34%)
2. Education (19%)
3. Law & Order (7%)
4. Transport (3%)
5. Environment (2%)
6. Housing (0%)
7. Defence (-12%)
8. Social Protection (-15%)
9. Overseas Aid (-37%)
Martin Lewis, creator of MoneySavingExpert.com, says:
"It seems that a huge chunk of the UK public follow the 'charity begins at home' philosophy when it comes to public spending. This perhaps signifies a division between the political classes and the person at home. It's stunning that the area of spending the government has chosen to make watertight is the one most people would choose to cut."
"The areas of biggest division though seem to be defence and social protection, which both featured prominently in the list of what people would like to cut, and what they'd like to save.