Young Brits want a Government that shows up on the world stage and stands up for women and girls.
This national poll explores how young people feel about the UK’s role on the global stage, particularly in light of recent decisions regarding the cutting of the UK’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget. The research aims to understand what young Britons believe the UK’s international priorities should be, and who they think is being left behind.
The findings provide clear evidence that young Britons expect more from the government when it comes to global engagement, especially in standing up for women and girls. The poll also offers valuable insights for colleagues in the development sector, highlighting the issues young people care most about and the platforms they find most engaging when learning about international development.
Highlights:Â
- 62% of young women say the Prime Minister is not doing enough to stand up for gender equality on the world stage
- 63% of all young people say that supporting women and girls should be a top priority for the UK’s aid budget
- Just 23% of young people support the Government’s cuts to international aid
- Maternal health, reproductive rights, and ending gender-based violence were among the top spending priorities for young women
Methodology:
Commissioned by Restless Development as part of their Walking the Talk UK campaign and conducted by More in Common, the poll surveyed a representative sample of 1,105 young Britons aged 18–25, May – June 2025.Â
If you’d like access to the detailed overview of the polling email: WalkingthetalkUK@restlessdevelopment.org