Nearly one in two Britons would refuse to fight for their country in any circumstances, according to shocking new research. 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.

But 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.

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. Fewer than three in Britons (29%) believe the state of the armed forces is “good” and 36% now believe it is “bad”.

The findings land as Chancellor John Healey – who quit as Sir Keir Starmer’s defence secretary in protest at underfunding – prepares to deliver his first Budget on October 28. 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. Only 52% think they 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.

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.

Read More: Shock poll reveals how many Brits are willing to fight in the army