A majority of people say they are not clear what Britain is trying to achieve in Afghanistan and only one in four think the current approach is working well.
The government faces new pressure for the immediate withdrawal of its troops from Afghanistan from the charity War on Want, union leaders and cultural figures.
Defence Secretary Liam Fox is being urged to uphold the right of armed forces personnel to be given a discharge if they develop a conscientious objection.
NATO countries must agree formal peace talks with all parties in the Afghanistan conflict, including the Taliban and Afghan neighbours, say leading NGOs.