The 2026 British Social Attitudes survey, published by the National Centre for Social Research, reveals that 74% of Britons now see the US as a serious threat to world peace, up from 36% in 2024. The survey also documents record support for increased defence spending and a marked orientation towards Europe.
The figure is comparable to those for Israel and Iran. It is comparable to the 78% who view Israel and the 75% who view Iran as a serious threat, though it remains below the 89% recorded for Russia. China is viewed as a serious threat by 62% of respondents.
The findings come from the latest British Social Attitudes survey, the UK's longest-running study of political and social opinion, published annually by NatCen since 1983. The report's author, foreign policy researcher Sophia Gaston, said the post-Cold War peace "no longer shapes the country's worldview".
The perception of the US as a threat has coincided with a shift where Britons have “undoubtedly become more favourable towards Europe”. When asked to choose directly between the EU and the US regarding defence interests, 46% chose closer ties with the EU, compared to just 10% who selected the US. Overall, 42% believe Britain's interests are best served by a closer relationship with western Europe, whereas only 9% feel the same about the US.
Support for increased defence spending has reached a record high since the question was introduced, with 56% now advocating an increase, up from 42% in 2022 and 28% in 2006. The survey reveals sharp generational splits: 62% of those aged 55 and older back more defence spending, compared with 47% of those aged 35 to 54 and just 30% of under-35s. Similarly, only 22% of under-35s consider a willingness to serve in the military at a time of need important, around half the figure among those aged 55 and over.
A majority of Conservative (55%) and Reform UK (54%) supporters believe Britain's defence interests are best served equally by the US and western Europe. Labour voters are broadly supportive of increased defence spending (55%), but Green Party supporters are the only group on balance more likely to advocate reduced spending (47%) than an increase (21%).
Despite the shift towards Europe, Gaston said: “Yet it would be a mistake to conclude that the country sees defence in binary 'Europe versus America' terms,” she said. “Britons recognise the need for a diversified approach to security alliances; one built on balance, resilience and flexibility.”
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Share of Britons who view each country as a serious threat, according to the British Social Attitudes survey
% of respondents
Source: British Social Attitudes survey, NatCen
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Analysis
Why This Matters
The shift in British public opinion signals a potential fundamental realignment of the UK's post-Brexit foreign policy, placing pressure on the government to distance itself from the US and deepen European security ties.
Record support for defence spending amid a clear pivot away from the US reflects a desire for strategic autonomy as Britons perceive the international order becoming more unstable.
The deeply generational divide on military service and spending suggests any shift towards a more assertive defence posture will face significant political friction.
Background
The British Social Attitudes survey, conducted by NatCen since 1983, tracks long-term shifts in public opinion. The 2026 wave was fielded against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, ongoing conflict in the Middle East, and Donald Trump's second term as US President, which began in January 2025. The findings represent a sharp reversal of the post-Brexit era, during which the UK government sought a close bilateral trade and security agreement with the US.
Key Perspectives
Sophia Gaston, report author: Says Britons have undergone a psychological shift away from "binary" choices, recognising a need for "diversified" security alliances across Europe and America.
Surveyed Conservative and Reform UK supporters: Most see the UK's defence interests as best served equally by both the US and western Europe.
Surveyed Green Party supporters: A plurality favour reduced defence spending, and fewer support a close military relationship with the US.
What to Watch
How the UK government under Prime Minister Andy Burnham responds to the survey's clear public mandate for a closer relationship with the EU on defence matters.
The trajectory of US-UK relations as the "special relationship" faces the most significant public skepticism in decades.
Whether the generational gap in support for defence spending translates into policy debates over military budgets and national service.
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
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SupportedAlmost three-quarters of Britons view the US as a serious threat to world peace, according to a survey.The Independent UK: “Around three-quarters of Britons (74%) now perceive the US as a serious threat to global peace”
Not in the sourcesThe report is the 2026 British Social Attitudes survey.The Independent UK: “A majority of the British public now supports increased defence spending, according to the latest British social attitudes survey”
SupportedThe share seeing the US as a serious threat was 74%, up from 36% in 2024.The Independent UK: “Around three-quarters of Britons (74%) now perceive the US as a serious threat to global peace, compared with just 36% in 2024”
SupportedThe US figure is comparable to Israel’s 78% and Iran’s 75%, below Russia’s 89%, and above China’s 62%.The Independent UK: “Although the 74% figure remains below the 89% recorded for Russia, it is comparable to figures for Israel (78%) and Iran (75%), and somewhat higher than China (62%).”
SupportedThe US perception shift occurred during Trump’s presidency and coincided with Britons becoming more favourable towards Europe.The Independent UK: “Public perception of the US as a serious threat to world peace has doubled during Donald Trump ’s presidency, coinciding with a shift in which Britons have "become more favourable towards Europe "”
Supported42% say Britain’s interests are best served by a closer relationship with western Europe, while 9% say the same of the US.The Independent UK: “42% believe Britain ’s interests are best served by a "closer relationship with western Europe". In contrast, only 9% feel national interests are best served by a closer relationship with the US.”
SupportedWhen choosing directly between the EU and the US on defence interests, 46% chose closer EU ties and 10% chose the US.The Independent UK: “When asked to choose directly between the EU and the US regarding defence interests, 46% chose closer ties with the EU, compared to just 10% selecting the US.”
SupportedSophia Gaston said the post-Cold War peace “no longer shapes the country’s worldview”.The Independent UK: “The post-Cold War peace that endured for so many years no longer shapes the country’s worldview.”
SupportedGaston said Britons had “undoubtedly become more favourable towards Europe”.The Independent UK: “Britons have undoubtedly become more favourable towards Europe.”
SupportedSupport for increased defence spending is at a record high since the question began, with 56% now supporting an increase, up from 42% in 2022 and 28% in 2006.The Independent UK: “Support for military spending has reached a record high since the question was introduced”
SupportedSupport for more defence spending is 62% among people aged 55 and older, 47% among those aged 35 to 54, and 30% among under-35s.The Independent UK: “By age, 62% of those aged 55 and older support more defence spending, compared with 47% of those aged 35 to 54, and 30% of those under 35.”
SupportedGaston said it would be a mistake to see defence in binary “Europe versus America” terms and that Britons recognise the need for a diversified approach to security alliances built on balance, resilience and flexibility.The Independent UK: “Yet it would be a mistake to conclude that the country sees defence in binary ‘Europe versus America’ terms. Britons recognise the need for a diversified approach to security alliances; one built on balance, resilience and flexibility.”