Key Policy Announcements from the Conservative and Labour Parties in the Early Days of the Election Campaign

As the election campaign heats up, the Conservative and Labour parties have been unveiling their policy proposals to win over voters. Here’s a breakdown of what each party has announced so far.

The Conservative Party has promised to bring back a “modern” form of national service for 18-year-olds, which could involve military service or volunteer work. They have also proposed a new “triple lock plus” tax-free allowance for pensioners, ensuring their allowance rises in line with either average earnings, inflation, or by 2.5% – whichever is higher. In terms of education, the Tories plan to introduce the Advanced British Standard qualification framework for 16 to 18-year-olds and make some form of maths and English compulsory up to the end of school. Additionally, they remain committed to reaching net zero by 2050 in terms of environmental goals.

On the other hand, the Labour Party has pledged not to reverse recent cuts to national insurance or increase income tax. They plan to abolish the non-dom tax status for wealthy foreign nationals and introduce VAT on private school fees to boost the economy. In healthcare, Labour aims to reduce waiting lists by delivering 40,000 more evening and weekend appointments per week. They also propose the creation of Great British Energy, a publicly owned energy company to lower household bills and create jobs. In education, Labour plans to recruit 6,500 new teachers in key subjects and establish a national excellence program for professional development.

With both parties unveiling ambitious policies, the upcoming election is sure to be a closely contested battle for votes. Stay tuned for more updates as the campaign progresses.