Keir Starmer launched the Labour manifesto in Manchester today (Picture: Getty/Rex/Metro)
Labour has launched its General Election manifesto, telling voters what the party would do if it gets into government for the first time in 14 years.
Keir Starmer and his shadow cabinet have been hinting at certain plans for months, and unveiled their six main priorities at a campaign soft-launch event in May.
Among their plans are a freeze on the ‘big three’ taxes, a £1.3 billion injection into NHS services, and the creation of a new Border Security Command to tackle criminal gangs operating small boats in the English Channel.
At the launch event in Manchester, Mr Starmer said: ‘The choice at this election is another five years of chaos under the Conservatives, with people paying £4,800 more on their mortgages, or change with Labour.
‘It’s time to stop the chaos, turn the page and start rebuilding Britain.’
Here are some of the main points from the Labour manifesto.
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National security and immigration
Keir Starmer meeting British soldiers at Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire (Picture: PA)
Alongside the new Border Security Command, Labour would hire more caseworkers to try and clear the considerable asylum backlog.
A Strategic Defence Review would be launched in the first year of a Labour government, while a ‘path would be set out’ to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence – a point of difference with the Tories, who have pledged to do that by 2030.
Martyn’s Law, named after Martyn Hett who died in the 2017 Manchester Arena attack, would be introduced. It would increase security measures at public events.
Net migration would be reduced with ‘appropriate restrictions on visas, and by linking immigration and skills policy’, and businesses wanting to address skills shortages with foreign workers would trigger a plan to upskill Brits.
Economy
Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves (Picture: Lucy North/PA Wire)
Labour’s big tax pledge ahead of the manifesto launch was that none of the ‘big three’ would be increased in the next parliament: that means VAT, National Insurance and income tax.
Corporation tax would be capped at 25% for the entire next parliament.
To raise a bit of cash, a Covid Corruption Commissioner would be appointed to recoup the public money that was lost in pandemic-era fraud.
A new National Wealth Fund capitalised with £7.3 billion would be established to invest in ports, car factories, carbon capture and more.
Work
Young adults would be guaranteed opportunities such as apprenticeships under Labour plans (Picture: Shutterstock / Robert Kneschke)
Brits aged between 18 …read more
Source:: Metro
