The choice is clear
A message from the Prime Minister
"We are giving real support to all – not tax cuts to a privileged few. We are bringing forward investment – not cutting services. And we will stand by those who are worried that they could lose their homes or jobs – not walk on by"
Labour stands resolutely for the hard working majority of the British people. Our approach is not just to help people now but to plan for recovery, renew our society, and ensure Britain can thrive in the future.
Building the Economy of the Future
At a time of recession David Cameron’s priority is to give an average inheritance tax cut of £200,000 to just 3,000 millionaires.
Labour is providing extra mortgage protection so that losing your job does not have to mean losing your home. Labour is stepping up support to get people back into work with new skills and training – we are investing £5 billion in measures to support people who loose their jobs.
The Choice: Tory cuts vs. Labour investment
By opposing Labour’s boost to the economy, the Conservatives have set themselves against extra money to support families and businesses, as well as investment in communities throughout the country. The Tories are committed not just to spending less in a time of need but also to spend less in the future. By committing his party to cuts David Cameron’s policies would threaten key local services like transportation, police and schools. By doing nothing, they would deepen the downturn and delay the recovery. David Cameron’s do nothing approach to the global recession puts him at odds with government of the right and left across Europe. He would isolate Britain in Europe, putting Tory ideology ahead of the needs of the British economy and British people.
We have boosted demand in the economy, putting more money in people’s pockets by cutting taxes and bringing forward government spending.
Labour is committed to preparing Britain to seize the opportunities of tomorrow. We’re investing now so we are best placed to take advantage of the upturn.
A greener Britain
Over the past six years, Labour action has meant that 5 million households have been helped with insulation. Labour brought in the historic Climate Change Act, with a target of an 80 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
The Choice: Tory cuts vs. Labour investment
Labour action has meant that households up and down the country are being helped to reduce both their energy bills and their carbon emission with insulation and other energy efficiency measures. But the Tories have announced they would cut the Department of Energy and Climate Change ‘s budget by £80 million this year – which would mean up to 32,000 of the most vulnerable households would miss out on this help at the worst possible time.
A fair world for all
David Cameron’s policy of disengagement from Europe leaves the Tories completely unable to tackle the global challenges that Britain faces including the current economic downturn.
Labour has tripled Britain’s international aid budget helping to lift 3 million people permanently out of poverty each year. Labour’s engagement in Europe has won a better deal for British families including securing cheaper phone calls and air improving consumer rights. Labour action in Europe has also led to greater rights for workers and parents, including the right to guaranteed holiday and extra parental leave.
The choice: Tory isolationism vs. Labour engagement
Whilst Labour remains fully engaged in Europe, using our influence to achiever change in the interests of British people, David Cameron would sacrifice Britain’s influence in Europe by retreating to the sidelines. Tory isolationism would lead to years of instability - putting jobs, prosperity and British business at risk.
Education for all
The Conservatives would cut £4.5 billion from the school building programme, the equivalent of nearly one in five centres from Sure Start budget, and £610 million from the skills budget which would effectively wipe out apprenticeships for over-18s.
Every three and four year old has the right to a free nursery place, rising from 12.5 hours a week to 15 hours by next year. There are now over 40,000 more teachers and 116,000 more teaching assistants then in 1997. Labour is giving every 18 year old a right to training and education, at university of college, in work an apprenticeship.
The Choice: Tory cuts vs. Labour investment
The Tories would put at risk Labour’s investment in young people and skills. They are pledged to cut over £600 million from the skills, universities and science budget from this year which could effectively wipe out most apprenticeships for over-18s. They have announced they would cut £200 million from Sure Smart Children’s Centres which could close one in five centres across country. And they would cut £4.5 billion from out school building programme, putting at risk hundreds of projects in communities across England. Labour is offering real investment in young people’s futures. The Tories would cut back when people and businesses need it most.
Real help for families
The Conservatives have not supported the action Labour is taking to give extra mortgage protection to help families stay in their homes.
Labour has extended that right to request flexible working to parents with children aged 16, benefiting an extra 4.5 million people. Labour has extended paid holiday meaning an employee working a five day week will now enjoy 20 days paid holidays- an increase of four days.
The Choice: Tory cuts vs. Labour investment
The Conservatives opposed Labour’s boost to the economy which is putting extra money into families’ pockets. At a time when families need help the most the Tories would do is nothing. They have not supported the action Labour is taking to give extra mortgage protection to help families stay in their homes. The Tories are committed no just to spending less in the future. By committing his party to cuts David Cameron’s policies would threaten key local services like transport, police and schools. By doing nothing, they would deepen the downturn and delay the recovery.
A world class health service
The Tories say they would scrap Labour’s guarantee that if you GP suspects you have cancer, you will be seen by a specialist within two weeks.
The average waiting time for inpatient NHS treatment in England is now just 4.2 weeks. Labour has opened over 100 new hospital schemes since 1997. Labour has abolished prescription charges for every being treated for cancer.
The Choice: Tory cuts vs. Labour investment
The Conservatives have pledged to scrap minimum standard in the NHS- meaning an end to the maximum two weeks wait for suspected cancer patients, an end to the maximum 18 week wait for your operation and an end to MRSA reduction targets. They have promised to overturn Labour’s deal with GPs for extended evening and weekend opening hours. And they say they will allow NHS hospitals to take on unlimited amounts of debt, secured against their own assets – putting hospitals at risk of repossession.
NHS waits are now the shortest since records began, and the long waiting lists which grew under the Tories are a thing of the past.
Stronger communities
Labour councils cost you less – in Labour top-tier council areas this year, residents will pay in average £204 less then those living in Tory areas and £134 less then those in Lib Dem areas.
We have put in place a £1 billion package of support for homeowners and first time buyers. This year, household in top-tier Labour council areas will pay on average £204 less this year then those living in Tory council areas and £134 less then those in Lib Dem areas.
The Choice: Tory cuts vs. Labour investment
While Labour has provided local government with 39 per cent real terms increase in funding in our first ten years in office, and an extra £8.9 billion over the three years of the current funding settlement, David Cameron’s commitment to cuts to local government funding would mean an extra one per cent increase on all council tax bills. The Conservatives’ ‘council tax freeze’ is a con – in reality few councils would qualify for the freeze and in many cases only if they agree to make cuts to local services.
Safe neighbourhoods
Under the Tories, crime doubled, burglary doubled, the chance of being a victim of violent crime trebled and convictions fell by a third.
Since 1997 overall crime is down 39 per cent – over 6 million fewer crimes. Thanks to Labour we now have a neighbourhood police team in every area in England and Wales.
The Choice: Tory cuts vs. Labour investment
Whilst Labour is investing in safer neighbourhoods David Cameron’s Public spending plans mean the Home Office budget could face £160 million worth of cuts. A sudden cut on this scale would be equivalent to losing more then 3,500 police officers, hitting forces and communities right across the country.
Strong Borders
The Tories claim they will set a limit on immigration but they can’t, or won’t, say at what level their limit will be. They say they want a cap on immigration that only applies to economic migrants from outside the EU – only one in five of the people who come from Britain.
A single border force to guard our ports and airports, with police – like powers for frontline staff. A new Australian-style points based system to ensure only those economic migrants who have the skills our economy needs can come to work in the UK.
The Choice: Tory cuts vs. Labour investment
The Tories talk tough in asylum and immigration but vote soft – repeatedly voting against the measures Labour has taken to control Britain’s borders, including tougher penalties for those who attempt to smuggle people into the country. And Tory claims to be tough on border security have no credibility while they continue to oppose ID cards which will help control our borders and stop fraudulent access to benefits and public services.
Supporting people in work
The Tories oppose Labour’s investments to help people who lose their jobs through the downturn.
Labour has invested £5 billion to help people back into work who have lost their job during the downturn. Heroin and crack addicts on benefits will be expected to get drug treatment in return for their benefits.
The Choice: Tory cuts vs. Labour investment
We have a choice: we can invest million in people’s future now or pay billions in a future where people are stuck on benefits. We will stand by those who stand to lose their homes or jobs – not walk on by. Labour has invested nearly £2 billion more to help people who are losing their jobs. The Tories oppose this investment. This would mean cutting back on the support available to people during the downturn and risk creating a new generation of long-term unemployed.