General Election 2015: Labour’s ten key policies unveiled, but are they strong enough to make Ed Miliband our next Prime Minister?
Labour leader declares: 'I've been tested and now I'm ready for Number 10'
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Your support makes all the difference.Ed Miliband declared himself ready to lead the country as he unveiled Labour’s manifesto in Manchester today.
He said he had been “tested” over the last four and a half years and had proven he was well-equipped to become Prime Minister, insisting Labour would be a “party of change and responsibility”.
He put economic credibility at the heart of the manifesto, promising no extra borrowing for manifesto pledges, but also announced a smattering of fresh policies, including a one-year freeze in rail fares, protecting tax credits, broadening access to childcare and bringing forward their commitment to increasing the minimum wage to £8.
Here are the ten key policies in Labour’s manifesto, starting with four new pledges that were announced today:
New: A one year freeze in rail fares, costing £200 million, paid for by delaying road upgrade works in the south west
New: Raising the minimum wage to £8 an hour by October 2019, one year earlier than previously promised.
New: No cut in tax credits
New: Wrap-around childcare, ensuring all primary schools guarantee access from 8am-6pm. This builds on their key pledge to provide 25 hours of free childcare for working parents of three and four year-olds
Freezing gas and electricity bills until 2017
Banning exploitative zero-hours contracts
Abolishing non-dom tax status, which will affect more than 110,000 British citizens
£2.5bn boost in NHS funding to pay for extra doctors and nurses, paid for by a ‘mansion tax’ on homes worth more than £2 million and a levy on tobacco firms.
Increase in the top rate of income tax to 50p, imposed on earnings over £150,000, while ruling out rises in VAT, basic rate and 40p income tax rates and national insurance contributions.
Scrapping winter fuel payments for the richest pensioners
A cut in tuition fees from £9,000 to £6,000
Ed Miliband arriving in Manchester Piccadilly ahead of Labour's manifesto launch (PA)
Mr Miliband, who gave a confident and assured performance, declared:
"Over the last four and a half years, I have been tested. I am ready. Ready to put an end to the tired old idea that as long as we look after the rich and powerful we will all be Okay. Ready to put into practice the truth that it is only when working people succeed, that Britain succeeds.
"If you elect me as Prime Minister in just over three weeks’ time: I will fight for that goal. I know Britain can be better. The British people know Britain can be better."
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