General Election 2015: The 10 key points of the Conservative Party manifesto
David Cameron has launched the Conservative Party manifesto ahead of May’s General Election, promising the “good life” for Brits, with pledges on housing, childcare and increasing the personal tax allowance.
At the launch in Swindon, Cameron promised to “finish the job” of fixing the economy and sought to win over voters heading to polling stations come 7 May with a host of key pledges, saying the country was “on the brink of something special”. That includes:
1. Right-to-buy
Extending the right-to-buy scheme to a further 1.3m families in housing association homes with discounts of up to 70 per cent. This has not been welcomed by the property sector.
2. Income tax
Increasing the threshold at which higher-rate income tax is paid to £50,000, up from the current level of £42,385.
3. Personal tax allowance
Increasing the personal tax allowance so those on minimum wage working less than 30 hours are removed from paying income tax.
4. Inheritance tax
Raising the inheritance tax threshold to £1m. That’s another pledge that has been questioned. The funding will come from reducing the tax relief on pension contributions of those earning over £150,000.
5. Rail fares
Rail fares will not rise above inflation before 2020. A promise also made by Labour during the party’s own manifesto launch yesterday.
6. The EU
An EU referendum by 2017.
7. Childcare
A generous 30 hours of free childcare a week for parents of kids aged three and four years old. Good news for working parents.
8. NHS
An additional £8bn of funding for the NHS by 2020.
9. Homes
The building of 200,000 new starter homes for first-time buyers.
10. Free schools
Opening a further 500 free schools across the country.
Here’s what Cameron had to say.