![Clear plan, bold action, secure future](/sites/www.kelly4rochesterandstrood.com/files/styles/gallery_large/public/news-gallery/WhatsApp%20Image%202024-06-11%20at%2015.29.28.jpeg?itok=RARMCPW-)
As we into the election, it's time to unveil the Conservative Party's manifesto for 2024. Our vision is crystal clear: we're here to champion working people, power up the economy, secure the future for our young people, protect our borders, and build stronger communities.
Supporting Working People:
- Tax Cuts: Slash employee National Insurance from 12% to 6% by 2027, putting an extra £1,350 in the pocket of the average worker earning £35,000.
- Self-Employed Relief: Abolish the main rate of self-employed National Insurance, boosting small businesses and freelancers.
- Pension Security: Triple Lock Plus ensures pensions rise with inflation, earnings, or 2.5%, and no taxes on the State Pension.
- Childcare Support: 30 hours of free childcare a week from nine months old to school age, saving families an average of £6,900 a year.
- Fair Child Benefit: Households keep their Child Benefit until combined income hits £120,000, saving an average of £1,500.
- Green Savings: No new green levies while speeding up renewable energy rollout.
- Brexit Benefits: New trade deals, quicker infrastructure projects, 100,000 new homes, and less red tape for businesses.
For Young People:
- National Service: A new model for 18-year-olds: a 12-month military placement or community volunteering one weekend a month.
- More Apprenticeships: 100,000 additional apprenticeships annually, funded by cutting low-value university degrees, offering hands-on experience and a debt-free start to careers.
- School Reforms: Ban mobile phones in schools and ensure curriculum transparency, focusing on a safe learning environment.
- Advanced British Standard: A new qualification for 16-19-year-olds, blending academic and technical learning for diverse career paths.
- World-Class Education: Focus on equipping young people with skills for a competitive global market.
Protecting Our Borders and Security:
- Defence Spending: Boost to 2.5% of GDP by 2030, keeping our armed forces strong and ready.
- Migration Cap: Legal cap on migration to protect public services while meeting economic needs.
- Stop Illegal Migration: Policies to remove illegal migrants to Rwanda and update asylum treaties.
Boosting Our Communities:
- NHS Investment: Increase spending, recruit 92,000 nurses and 28,000 doctors, modernise healthcare delivery.
- Women’s Rights: Clarify that sex in the Equality Act means biological sex, ensuring fairness in female-only spaces and sports.
- Housing Solutions: Build 1.6 million homes, abolish Stamp Duty for first-time buyers on homes up to £425,000, and introduce a new Help to Buy scheme.
- Safer Communities: Hire 8,000 more police officers, combat anti-social behaviour with Hotspot Policing and tougher laws.
- Better Transport: Allocate £36 billion for local roads, rail, and buses, including £8.3 billion to fill potholes, by cancelling HS2's second phase.
- Driver Support: Oppose road pricing, reverse ULEZ expansion, and require local referendums for new 20mph zones and Low Traffic Neighbourhoods.
- Rural Backing: Support farmers with legal targets and investment for food security, protecting agricultural land from solar farms.
Ensuring Economic Stability:
- Sustainable Fiscal Policy: Reduce borrowing and debt for stable economic growth.
- Business Boost: Encourage investment and trade, support small businesses with tax incentives and reduced bureaucracy.
- Affordable Energy: Transition to domestic, sustainable energy sources to keep consumer costs low.
I am excited about these ambitious plans and the positive impact they will have on our community and country.