5 September 2010 Last updated at 12:01 ET

Need to cut deficit supported, suggests poll

The government says it will not reduce NHS funding but other departments will not be immune from cuts

Many people are in favour of taking steps to reduce the government deficit but they are less clear on where spending should be cut, a poll commissioned by the BBC suggests.

Six out of 10 people asked if they were in favour of reducing the deficit said they were, in the poll by Globescan for BBC World Service.

But there was significant opposition to cuts in some areas of public spending.

Some 82% of 1,000 people surveyed were against education and healthcare cuts.

And 66% opposed cuts in military spending.

Analysis

Hugh Pym Chief economics correspondent, BBC News

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The poll findings suggest that comfortably more than half of those surveyed accept the case for cutting the deficit but also serves as a reminder that a significant minority do not agree.

There is no consensus on how deficit reduction might be achieved.

The large number objecting to cuts in education, which is not going to be ringfenced by the government, is interesting. So too the fact that two-thirds do not want to see cuts in defence spending, another area which will face reductions.

This underlines the importance of the debate over what areas of spending might be targeted.

The telephone survey of 1,000 UK adults was conducted for the BBC between 28 June and 5 July 2010 by the international polling firm Globescan, together with the Program on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA) at the University of Maryland.

Some questions, including the deficit reduction question, were put to just half the sample.

Focus

The poll asked about taking steps "in current economic conditions" to reduce the government's deficit and debt.

The findings showed 60% said they were in favour, 33% were against, and the rest did not know - broadly in line with other recent polls.

When it comes to public spending, the government has already said it will not reduce NHS funding.

It has indicated education and defence will not be immune from spending cuts but will see smaller reductions than other departments.

When asked about the focus for cutting the deficit, 49% said it should be on cutting spending on services and 36% on increasing taxes. A small number said the focus should be on both or neither.

US debate

A special BBC News season examining the approaching cuts to public sector spending

• Spending Review: Making It Clear

The BBC World Service poll asked the same questions in a total of 26 countries.

The proportion of respondents in the US supporting steps to reduce the government deficit was lower than in the UK, with 52% in favour.

The debate in the US has focused more on continued measures to promote growth rather than immediate deficit-cutting plans.

The full results of the global survey will be released later this month.

Read a selection of your comments.

I am in favour of the budget cuts which must be addressed as soon as possible but what really beggars belief to me is that the government can still justify spending over £7 billion in overseas development. I am all for giving money to countries less fortunate than ourselves but come on, we should be getting our own house in order first surely our own country and people come first?? It's us taxpayers paying for it!

Dave, York

The over-60's bus pass should not be cut. Those of us living some distance from basic shops would be penalised. The single fare to our nearest shopping centre is £1.60. This puts even more strain on pensioners. Talk of cutting the winter fuel allowance also sends a shiver through those of us living north of Watford. One can't help feeling that they are trying to solve the aged-problem by liquidation in one form or another.

I Hanlon, Matlock Bath

The replacement of Britain's Trident submarines should be cancelled. The existing nuclear missile carrying submarines have achieved nothing and at vast expense. This programme is all to do with making the PM feel powerful in the world despite that these ugly weapons could never be used. It is all post empire bellicose posturing. The savings would fund retaining the whole education budget as it is.

Ricky, Finsbury Park, London

I'm in favour of the cuts but I would like to see more clarity over where the cuts are being made. To oppose cut backs in education and healthcare is silly without understanding where improvements to the system can be made. Otherwise, we may just be accepting a poorly run service. What I'm ultimately looking for is having the government explain the impact of the various cut backs over how ever many years and how the deficit fairs as a result of individual cut backs relative to our ultimate goal.... do we even know what our target is in terms of cuts?

John, London

Two points: firstly any new recruitment for any government department should be handled with one recruitment company who is providing a service that is fit for purpose, of course - but a rate that is competitive with normal recruitment rates - something government departments have failed to identify to date. Secondly - there should be a strong move to stop the use of management consultants, yes this is not new - but it should be rigorously policed to make sure it is operated - there is no doubt that the fees charged by all the big Accountancy firms reflect "partners interests first" not the tax payer.

Andrew Lea, Farnham