Keynesian boondoggles are acceptable in principle, they say, but they cite Japan in the 1990s as proof that such spending does not always stimulate the economy: better to boost businesses' cashflow by easing their tax burden.
Robert Elms, a transplant surgeon at the Royal Liverpool Hospital, believes the principle of compensation would be more acceptable to many than payment.
The BBC's environment analyst Roger Harrabin said chancellor George Osborne rejects the target and the coalition was seeking a compromise acceptable to the Lib Dems such as committing to the principle but leaving details until after the next election.