coalition - statement of intentent

The Coalition: our programme for government

TheCoalition:ourprogrammeforgovernment 3

Freedom

Fairness

Responsibility

4 TheCoalition:ourprogrammeforgovernment

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CONTENTS

. Banking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

. Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

. CivilLiberties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

. CommunitiesandLocalGovernment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

. ConsumerProtection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

. CrimeandPolicing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

. Culture,Olympics,MediaandSport. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

. Defence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

. DeficitReduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

. EnergyandClimateChange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

. Environment,FoodandRuralAffairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

. Equalities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

. Europe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

. FamiliesandChildren . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

. ForeignAffairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

. GovernmentTransparency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

. Immigration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

. InternationalDevelopment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

. JobsandWelfare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

. Justice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

. NationalSecurity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

.NHS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

. PensionsandOlderPeople . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

. PoliticalReform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

. PublicHealth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

. Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

. SocialAction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

. SocialCareandDisability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

. Taxation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

. Transport. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

. UniversitiesandFurtherEducation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31


FOREWORD By David Cameron and Nick Clegg

ThisisanhistoricdocumentinBritishpolitics: thefirsttimeinoverhalfacenturytwoparties havecometogethertoputforwardaprogramme forpartnershipgovernment.

Asourpartieshaveworkedtogetherithas becomeincreasinglycleartousthat,although therearedifferences,thereisalsocommon ground.Weshareaconvictionthatthedays ofbiggovernmentareover;thatcentralisation andtop-downcontrolhaveprovedafailure. Webelievethatthetimehascometodisperse powermorewidelyinBritaintoday;torecognise thatwewillonlymakeprogressifwehelp peopletocometogethertomakelifebetter. Inshort,itisourambitiontodistributepower andopportunitytopeopleratherthanhoarding authoritywithingovernment.Thatway,wecan buildthefree,fairandresponsiblesocietywe wanttosee.

Weareagreedthatthefirstdutyofgovernment istosafeguardournationalsecurityandsupport ourtroopsinAfghanistanandelsewhere–and wewillfulfilthatduty.Wearealsoagreedthat themosturgenttaskfacingthiscoalitionis totackleourrecorddebts,becausewithout soundfinances,noneofourambitionswillbe deliverable.Difficultdecisionswillhavetobe takeninthemonthsandyearsahead,butwe willensurethatfairnessisattheheartofthose decisionssothatallthosemostinneedare protected.Workingtogether,weareconfident thatwecantakethecountrythroughdifficult timestobetterdaysahead.

Tacklingthedeficitisessential,butitisnotwhat wecameintopoliticstoachieve.Westood forParliament–andfortheleadershipofour parties–withvisionsofaBritainbetterinevery way.Andwehavefoundinthiscoalitionthat ourvisionsarenotcompromisedbyworking together;theyarestrengthenedandenhanced. Thatiswhythiscoalitionhasthepotentialfor era-changing,convention-challenging,radical reform.

Forexample,webothwanttobuildanew economyfromtherubbleoftheold.Wewill supportsustainablegrowthandenterprise, balancedacrossallregionsandallindustries, andpromotethegreenindustriesthatareso essentialforourfuture.Thisdocumentshows how,withradicalplanstoreformourbroken bankingsystemandnewincentivesforgreen growth.

WebothwantaBritainwheresocialmobility isunlocked;whereeveryone,regardlessof background,hasthechancetoriseashighas theirtalentsandambitionallowthem.Topave theway,wehavebothagreedtosweeping reformofwelfare,taxesand,mostofall,our schools–withabreakingopenofthestate monopolyandextramoneyfollowingthe poorestpupilssothatthey,atlast,gettogoto thebestschools,nottheworst.

WebothwantaBritainwhereourpolitical systemislookedatwithadmiration,not anger.Wehaveasharedambitiontocleanup Westminsterandadeterminationtooversee aradicalredistributionofpowerawayfrom WestminsterandWhitehalltocouncils, communitiesandhomesacrossthenation. Whereverpossible,wewantpeopletocallthe shotsoverthedecisionsthataffecttheirlives.

Andwearebothcommittedtoturningold thinkingonitsheadanddevelopingnew approachestogovernment.Foryears,politicians couldarguethatbecausetheyheldallthe information,theyneededmorepower.Buttoday, technologicalinnovationhas–withastonishing speed–developedtheopportunitytospread informationanddecentralisepowerinaway wehaveneverseenbefore.Sowewillextend transparencytoeveryareaofpubliclife.Similarly, therehasbeentheassumptionthatcentral governmentcanonlychangepeople’sbehaviour throughrulesandregulations.Ourgovernment willbeamuchsmarterone,shunningthe bureaucraticleversofthepastandfinding


intelligentwaystoencourage,supportandenable peopletomakebetterchoicesforthemselves.

Ineverypartofthisagreement,wehavegone furtherthansimplyadoptingthosepolicies wherewepreviouslyoverlapped.Wehave foundthatacombinationofourparties’best ideasandattitudeshasproducedaprogramme forgovernmentthatismoreradicaland comprehensivethanourindividualmanifestos.

Forexample,whenyoutakeConservativeplans tostrengthenfamiliesandencouragesocial responsibility,andaddtothemtheLiberal Democratpassionforprotectingourcivil libertiesandstoppingtherelentlessincursion ofthestateintothelivesofindividuals,you createaBigSocietymatchedbybigcitizens. Thisoffersthepotentialtocompletelyrecast therelationshipbetweenpeopleandthestate: citizensempowered;individualopportunity extended;communitiescomingtogethertomake livesbetter.Webelievethatthecombinationof ourideaswillhelpustocreateamuchstronger society:onewherethosewhocan,do;andthose whocannot,wealwayshelp.

Andinthecrucialareaofpublicservicereform, wehavefoundthatLiberalDemocratand Conservativeideasarestrongercombined.For example,intheNHS,takeConservativethinking onmarkets,choiceandcompetitionandadd toittheLiberalDemocratbeliefinadvancing democracyatamuchmorelocallevel,andyou haveaunitedvisionfortheNHSthatistruly radical:GPswithauthorityovercommissioning; patientswithmuchmorecontrol;electionsfor yourlocalNHShealthboard.Together,ourideas willbringanemphaticendtothebureaucracy, top-downcontrolandcentralisationthathasso diminishedourNHS.

Threeweeksagowecouldneverhavepredicted thepublicationofthisdocument.Afterthe election,ofcourse,therewastheoptionof minoritygovernment–butwewereuninspired byit.Instead,therewastheoptionofacoalition inthenationalinterest–andweseizedit. Whenwesetoffonthisjourneyweweretwo partieswithsomepoliciesincommonanda shareddesiretoworkinthenationalinterest. Wearriveatthisprogrammeforgovernment astrong,progressivecoalitioninspiredbythe valuesoffreedom,fairnessandresponsibility. Thisprogrammeisforfiveyearsofpartnership governmentdrivenbythosevalues.Webelieve thatitcandeliverradical,reforminggovernment, astrongersociety,asmallerstate,andpowerand responsibilityinthehandsofeverycitizen.Great changeandrealprogresslieahead.

DavidCameron PrimeMinister

NickClegg DeputyPrimeMinister


1. BANKING Inrecentyears,wehaveseenamassivefinancial meltdownduetoover-lending,over-borrowing andpoorregulation.TheGovernmentbelieves thatthecurrentsystemoffinancialregulationis fundamentallyflawedandneedstobereplaced withaframeworkthatpromotesresponsible andsustainablebanking,whereregulatorshave greaterpowerstocurbunsustainablelending practicesandwetakeactiontopromotemore competitioninthebankingsector.Inaddition,we recognisethatmuchmoreneedstobedoneto protecttaxpayersfromfinancialmalpracticeand tohelpthepublicmanagetheirowndebts.

• Wewillreformthebankingsystemtoavoid arepeatofthefinancialcrisis,topromotea competitiveeconomy,tosustaintherecovery andtoprotectandsustainjobs.

• Wewillintroduceabankinglevyandseeka detailedagreementonimplementation.

• Wewillbringforwarddetailedproposalsfor robustactiontotackleunacceptablebonuses inthefinancialservicessector;indeveloping theseproposals,wewillensuretheyare effectiveinreducingrisk.

• Wewantthebankingsystemtoserve business,nottheotherwayround.Wewill bringforwarddetailedproposalstofoster diversityinfinancialservices,promote mutualsandcreateamorecompetitive bankingindustry.

• Wewilldevelopeffectiveproposalstoensure theflowofcredittoviableSMEs.Thiswill includeconsiderationofbothamajorloan guaranteeschemeandtheuseofnetlending targetsforthenationalisedbanks.

• Wewilltakestepstoreducesystemicrisk inthebankingsystemandwillestablishan independentcommissiontoinvestigate thecomplexissueofseparatingretailand investmentbankinginasustainableway;while recognisingthatthiswilltaketimetogetright, thecommissionwillbegivenaninitialtime frameofoneyeartoreport.

• Wewillreformtheregulatorysystemtoavoid arepeatofthefinancialcrisis.Wewillbring forwardproposalstogivetheBankofEngland controlofmacro-prudentialregulationand oversightofmicro-prudentialregulation.

• Weruleoutjoiningorpreparingtojointhe EuropeanSingleCurrencyforthedurationof thisagreement.

• WewillworkwiththeBankofEnglandto investigatehowtheprocessofincluding housingcostsintheCPImeasureofinflation canbeaccelerated.

• WewillcreateBritain’sfirstfreenational financialadviceservice,whichwillbefunded infullfromanewsocialresponsibilitylevyon thefinancialservicessector.

• Wetakewhitecollarcrimeasseriouslyas othercrime,sowewillcreateasingleagency totakeontheworkoftacklingserious economiccrimethatiscurrentlydoneby, amongothers,theSeriousFraudOffice, FinancialServicesAuthorityandOfficeofFair Trading.

2. BUSINESS TheGovernmentbelievesthatbusinessisthe driverofeconomicgrowthandinnovation,and thatweneedtotakeurgentactiontoboost enterprise,supportgreengrowthandbuilda newandmoreresponsibleeconomicmodel. Wewanttocreateafairerandmorebalanced economy,wherewearenotsodependentona narrowrangeofeconomicsectors,andwhere newbusinessesandeconomicopportunities aremoreevenlysharedbetweenregionsand industries.

• Wewillcutredtapebyintroducinga‘one-in, one-out’rulewherebynonewregulationis broughtinwithoutotherregulationbeingcut byagreateramount.

• Wewillendthecultureof‘tick-box’ regulation,andinsteadtargetinspectionson high-riskorganisationsthroughco-regulation andimprovingprofessionalstandards.


• Wewillimpose‘sunsetclauses’onregulations andregulatorstoensurethattheneedfor eachregulationisregularlyreviewed.

• WewillreviewIR35,aspartofawholesale reviewofallsmallbusinesstaxation,and seektoreplaceitwithsimplermeasuresthat preventtaxavoidancebutdonotplaceundue administrativeburdensoruncertaintyon theself-employed,orrestrictlabourmarket flexibility.

• Wewillfindapracticalwaytomakesmall businessratereliefautomatic.

• Wewillreformthecorporatetaxsystemby simplifyingreliefsandallowances,andtackling avoidance,inordertoreduceheadlinerates. Ouraimistocreatethemostcompetitive corporatetaxregimeintheG20,while protectingmanufacturingindustries.

• Wewillseektoensureaninjectionofprivate capitalintoRoyalMail,includingopportunities foremployeeownership.WewillretainPost OfficeLtdinpublicownership.

• Wewillseektoensurealevelplayingfield betweensmallandlargeretailersbyenabling councilstotakecompetitionissuesinto accountwhendrawinguptheirlocalplans toshapethedirectionandtypeofnewretail development.

• Wewillgivethepublictheopportunityto challengetheworstregulations.

• Wewillreviewemploymentandworkplace laws,foremployersandemployees,toensure theymaximiseflexibilityforbothparties whileprotectingfairnessandproviding thecompetitiveenvironmentrequiredfor enterprisetothrive.

• Wewillmakeiteasierforpeopletosetup newenterprisesbycuttingthetimeittakes tostartanewbusiness.Ourambitionisto maketheUKoneofthefastestcountries intheworldtostartupanewbusiness.We willreducethenumberofformsneededto registeranewbusiness,andmovetowardsa ‘one-click’registrationmodel.

• Wewillendthebanonsocialtenantsstarting businessesintheirownhomes.

• Wewillpromotesmallbusinessprocurement, inparticularbyintroducinganaspiration that25%ofgovernmentcontractsshould beawardedtosmallandmedium-sized businessesandbypublishinggovernment tendersinfullonlineandfreeofcharge.

• Wewillconsidertheimplementationofthe DysonReviewtomaketheUKtheleading hi-techexporterinEurope,andrefocusthe researchanddevelopmenttaxcrediton hi-techcompanies,smallfirmsandstart-ups.

• Wewillreviewtherangeoffactorsthatcan beconsideredbyregulatorswhentakeovers areproposed.

• WewillreinstateanOperatingandFinancial Reviewtoensurethatdirectors’socialand environmentaldutieshavetobecoveredin companyreporting,andinvestigatefurther waysofimprovingcorporateaccountability andtransparency.

• WewillensurethatPostOfficesareallowed toofferawiderangeofservicesinorderto sustainthenetwork,andwewilllookatthe casefordevelopingnewsourcesofrevenue, suchasthecreationofaPostOfficeBank.

• Wewillendtheso-called‘gold-plating’of EUrules,sothatBritishbusinessesarenot disadvantagedrelativetotheirEuropean competitors.

• WewillsupportthecreationofLocal EnterprisePartnerships–jointlocal authority-businessbodiesbroughtforwardby localauthoritiesthemselvestopromotelocal economicdevelopment–toreplaceRegional DevelopmentAgencies(RDAs).Thesemay taketheformoftheexistingRDAsinareas wheretheyarepopular.

• Wewilltakestepstoimprovethe competitivenessoftheUKtourismindustry, recognisingtheimportantpartitplaysinour nationaleconomy.


3. CIVILLIBERTIES Wewillbestrongindefenceoffreedom.The GovernmentbelievesthattheBritishstatehas becometooauthoritarian,andthatoverthepast decadeithasabusedanderodedfundamental humanfreedomsandhistoriccivilliberties.We needtorestoretherightsofindividualsinthe faceofencroachingstatepower,inkeepingwith Britain’straditionoffreedomandfairness.

• Wewillimplementafullprogrammeof measurestoreversethesubstantialerosionof civillibertiesandrollbackstateintrusion.

• WewillintroduceaFreedomBill.

• WewillscraptheIDcardscheme, theNationalIdentityregisterandthe ContactPointdatabase,andhaltthenext generationofbiometricpassports.

• Wewilloutlawthefinger-printingofchildren atschoolwithoutparentalpermission.

• WewillextendthescopeoftheFreedom ofInformationActtoprovidegreater transparency.

• WewilladopttheprotectionsoftheScottish modelfortheDNAdatabase.

• Wewillprotecthistoricfreedomsthrough thedefenceoftrialbyjury.

• Wewillrestorerightstonon-violentprotest.

• Wewillreviewlibellawstoprotectfreedom ofspeech.

• Wewillintroducesafeguardsagainstthe misuseofanti-terrorismlegislation.

• WewillfurtherregulateCCTV.

• Wewillendthestorageofinternetandemail recordswithoutgoodreason.

• Wewillintroduceanewmechanismto preventtheproliferationofunnecessarynew criminaloffences.

• WewillestablishaCommissiontoinvestigate thecreationofaBritishBillofRightsthat incorporatesandbuildsonallourobligations undertheEuropeanConventiononHuman Rights,ensuresthattheserightscontinue

tobeenshrinedinBritishlaw,andprotects andextendsBritishliberties.Wewillseekto promoteabetterunderstandingofthetrue scopeoftheseobligationsandliberties.

4. COMMUNITIESANDLOCAL GOVERNMENT

TheGovernmentbelievesthatitistimefora fundamentalshiftofpowerfromWestminster topeople.Wewillpromotedecentralisationand democraticengagement,andwewillendtheera oftop-downgovernmentbygivingnewpowers tolocalcouncils,communities,neighbourhoods andindividuals.

• Wewillpromotetheradicaldevolutionof powerandgreaterfinancialautonomytolocal governmentandcommunitygroups.Thiswill includeareviewoflocalgovernmentfinance.

• WewillrapidlyabolishRegionalSpatial Strategiesandreturndecision-makingpowers onhousingandplanningtolocalcouncils, includinggivingcouncilsnewpowerstostop ‘gardengrabbing’.

• Inthelongerterm,wewillradicallyreform theplanningsystemtogiveneighbourhoods farmoreabilitytodeterminetheshapeofthe placesinwhichtheirinhabitantslive,based ontheprinciplessetoutintheConservative PartypublicationOpen Source Planning.

• WewillabolishtheunelectedInfrastructure PlanningCommissionandreplaceitwith anefficientanddemocraticallyaccountable systemthatprovidesafast-trackprocessfor majorinfrastructureprojects.

• WewillpublishandpresenttoParliament asimpleandconsolidatednationalplanning frameworkcoveringallformsofdevelopment andsettingoutnationaleconomic, environmentalandsocialpriorities.

• WewillmaintaintheGreenBelt,Sitesof SpecialScientificInterest(SSSIs)andother environmentalprotections,andcreateanew designation–similartoSSSIs–toprotect greenareasofparticularimportancetolocal communities.


• WewillabolishtheGovernmentOfficefor Londonandconsiderthecaseforabolishing theremainingGovernmentOffices.

• Wewillprovidemoreprotectionagainst aggressivebailiffsandunreasonablecharging orders,ensurethatcourtshavethepowerto insistthatrepossessionisalwaysalastresort, andbanordersforsaleonunsecureddebtsof lessthan£25,000.

• Wewillexplorearangeofmeasurestobring emptyhomesintouse.

• Wewillpromotesharedownershipschemes andhelpsocialtenantsandotherstoownor part-owntheirhome.

• Wewillpromote‘HomeontheFarm’ schemesthatencouragefarmerstoconvert existingbuildingsintoaffordablehousing.

• Wewillcreatenewtruststhatwillmakeit simplerforcommunitiestoprovidehomesfor localpeople.

• Wewillphaseoutthering-fencingofgrants tolocalgovernmentandreviewtheunfair HousingRevenueAccount.

• WewillfreezeCouncilTaxinEnglandfor atleastoneyear,andseektofreezeitfor afurtheryear,inpartnershipwithlocal authorities.

• Wewillcreatedirectlyelectedmayors inthe12largestEnglishcities,subjectto confirmatoryreferendumsandfullscrutiny by electedcouncillors.

• Wewillgivecouncilsageneralpowerof competence.

• Wewillbantheuseofpowersinthe RegulationofInvestigatoryPowersAct(RIPA) bycouncils,unlesstheyaresignedoffbya magistrateandrequiredforstoppingserious crime.

• Wewillallowcouncilstoreturntothe committeesystem,shouldtheywishto.

• WewillabolishtheStandardsBoardregime.

• Wewillstoptherestructuringofcouncilsin Norfolk,SuffolkandDevon,andstopplansto forcetheregionalisationofthefireservice.

• Wewillimposetougherrulestostopunfair competitionbylocalauthoritynewspapers.

• Wewillintroducenewpowerstohelp communitiessavelocalfacilitiesand servicesthreatenedwithclosure,andgive communitiestherighttobidtotakeoverlocal state-runservices.

• WewillimplementtheSustainable CommunitiesAct,sothatcitizensknowhow taxpayers’moneyisspentintheirareaand haveagreatersayoverhowitisspent.

• Wewillcutlocalgovernmentinspectionand abolishtheComprehensiveAreaAssessment.

• Wewillrequirecontinuousimprovementsto theenergyefficiencyofnewhousing.

• Wewillprovideincentivesforlocalauthorities todeliversustainabledevelopment,including fornewhomesandbusinesses.

• Wewillreviewtheeffectivenessoftheraising ofthestampdutythresholdforfirst-time buyers.

• Wewillgivecouncillorsthepowertovote onlargesalarypackagesforunelectedcouncil officials.

5. CONSUMERPROTECTION TheGovernmentbelievesthatactionisneeded toprotectconsumers,particularlythemost vulnerable,andtopromotegreatercompetition acrosstheeconomy.Weneedtopromotemore responsiblecorporateandconsumerbehaviour throughgreatertransparencyandbyharnessing theinsightsfrombehaviouraleconomicsand socialpsychology.

• Wewillgiveregulatorsnewpowerstodefine andbanexcessiveinterestratesoncreditand storecards;andwewillintroduceaseven-day cooling-offperiodforstorecards.

• Wewillobligecreditcardcompaniesto providebetterinformationtotheircustomers inauniformelectronicformatthatwillallow consumerstofindoutwhethertheyare receivingthebestdeal.


• Wewillintroducestrongerconsumer protections,includingmeasurestoendunfair bankandfinancialtransactioncharges.

• Wewilltakeforwardmeasurestoenhance customerserviceintheprivateandpublic sectors.

• Wewillintroduce,asafirststep,an OmbudsmanintheOfficeofFairTradingwho canproactivelyenforcetheGrocerySupply CodeofPracticeandcurbabusesofpower, whichundermineourfarmersandactagainst thelong-terminterestofconsumers.

• Wewillintroducehonestyinfoodlabellingso thatconsumerscanbeconfidentaboutwhere theirfoodcomesfromanditsenvironmental impact.

• Wewillincreasehouseholds’controlover theirenergycostsbyensuringthatenergybills provideinformationonhowtomovetothe cheapesttariffofferedbytheirsupplier,and howeachhousehold’senergyusagecompares tosimilarhouseholds.

• WewillgivePostOfficeCardaccountholders thechancetobenefitfromdirectdebit discountsandensurethatsocialtariffsoffer accesstothebestpricesavailable.

• Wewillseektoextendprotectionand supportto‘off-grid’energyconsumers.

6. CRIMEANDPOLICING TheGovernmentbelievesthatweneedradical actiontoreformourcriminaljusticesystem.We needpoliceforcesthathavegreaterfreedom fromMinisterialcontrolandarebetterableto dealwiththecrimeandanti-socialbehaviourthat blightspeople’slives,butwhicharemuchmore accountabletothepublictheyserve.

• Wewillreducetime-wastingbureaucracythat hamperspoliceoperations,andintroduce bettertechnologytomakepolicingmore effectivewhilesavingtaxpayers’money.

• Wewillamendthehealthandsafetylawsthat standinthewayofcommonsensepolicing.

• Wewillseektospreadinformationonwhich policingtechniquesandsentencesaremost effectiveatcuttingcrimeacrosstheCriminal JusticeSystem.

• Wewillhaveafullreviewofthetermsand conditionsforpoliceofficeremployment.

• Wewillintroducemeasurestomakethe policemoreaccountablethroughoversight byadirectlyelectedindividual,whowillbe subjecttostrictchecksandbalancesbylocally electedrepresentatives.

• Wewillobligethepolicetopublishdetailed localcrimedatastatisticseverymonth,sothe publiccangetproperinformationaboutcrime intheirneighbourhoodsandholdthepoliceto accountfortheirperformance.

• Wewillrequirepoliceforcestoholdregular ‘beatmeetings’sothatresidentscanhold themtoaccount.

• Wewillmakehospitalssharenon-confidential informationwiththepolicesotheyknow wheregunandknifecrimeishappeningand cantargetstop-and-searchingunandknife crimehotspots.

• Wewillgivepeoplegreaterlegalprotection topreventcrimeandapprehendcriminals.

• Wewillensurethatpeoplehavethe protectionthattheyneedwhentheydefend themselvesagainstintruders.

• Wewillbanthesaleofalcoholbelowcost price.

• Wewillreviewalcoholtaxationandpricing toensureittacklesbingedrinkingwithout unfairlypenalisingresponsibledrinkers,pubs andimportantlocalindustries.

• WewilloverhaultheLicensingActtogive localauthoritiesandthepolicemuchstronger powerstoremovelicencesfrom,orrefuse tograntlicencesto,anypremisesthatare causingproblems.

• Wewillallowcouncilsandthepolicetoshut downpermanentlyanyshoporbarfoundto bepersistentlysellingalcoholtochildren.


• Wewilldoublethemaximumfinefor under-agealcoholsalesto£20,000.

• Wewillpermitlocalcouncilstochargemore forlate-nightlicencestopayforadditional policing.

• Wewillpromotebetterrecordingofhate crimesagainstdisabled,homosexualand transgenderpeople,whicharefrequentlynot centrallyrecorded.

• Wewillintroduceasystemoftemporary bansonnew‘legalhighs’whilehealthissues areconsideredbyindependentexperts.We willnotpermanentlybanasubstancewithout receivingfulladvicefromtheAdvisoryCouncil ontheMisuseofDrugs.

• Wewillreviewtheoperationofthe ExtraditionAct–andtheUS/UKextradition treaty–tomakesureitiseven-handed.

7. CULTURE,OLYMPICS,MEDIA ANDSPORT

TheGovernmentbelievesthatavibrantcultural, mediaandsportingsectoriscrucialforour well-beingandqualityoflife.Weneedto promoteexcellenceinthesefields,with governmentfundingusedwhereappropriate toencouragephilanthropicandcorporate investment.

• Wewillmaintaintheindependenceofthe BBC,andgivetheNationalAuditOffice fullaccesstotheBBC’saccountstoensure transparency.

• Wewillenablepartnershipsbetweenlocal newspapers,radioandtelevisionstationsto promoteastronganddiverselocalmedia industry.

• Wewillmaintainfreeentrytonational museumsandgalleries,andgivenational museumsgreaterfreedoms.

• WewillworkwiththeScottishGovernment todeliverasuccessfulCommonwealthGames inGlasgowin2014,andensurethatthe2013 RugbyLeagueandthe2015RugbyUnion WorldCupsaresuccessful.Wewillstrongly supporttheEngland2018WorldCupbid.

• WewillworkwiththeMayorofLondonto ensureasafeandsuccessfulOlympicand ParalympicGamesinLondonin2012,and urgentlyformplanstodeliveragenuineand lastinglegacy.

• Wewillexaminethecaseformovingtoa ‘grossprofitstax’systemfortheNational Lottery,andreformtheNationalLotteryso thatmoremoneygoesintosport,theartsand heritage.

• WewillstopwastefulspendingbyNational Lotterydistributorsbybanninglobbying activitiesandrestrictingadministrationcosts to5%oftotalincome.

• Wewillusecashindormantbettingaccounts toimprovelocalsportsfacilitiesandsupport sportsclubs.

• Wewillencouragethereformoffootball governancerulestosupporttheco-operative ownershipoffootballclubsbysupporters.

• Wewillsupportthecreationofanannual Olympic-styleschoolssporteventto encouragecompetitivesportinschools,and wewillseektoprotectschoolplayingfields.

• Wewillcutredtapetoencouragethe performanceofmorelivemusic.

• Wewillintroducemeasurestoensurethe rapidroll-outofsuperfastbroadbandacross thecountry.WewillensurethatBTandother infrastructureprovidersallowtheuseoftheir assetstodeliversuchbroadband,andwe willseektointroducesuperfastbroadband inremoteareasatthesametimeasinmore populatedareas.Ifnecessary,wewillconsider usingthepartoftheTVlicencefeethatis supportingthedigitalswitchovertofund broadbandinareasthatthemarketalonewill notreach.


8. DEFENCE TheGovernmentbelievesthatweneedtotake actiontosafeguardournationalsecurityathome andabroad.Wealsorecognisethatweneedto domuchmoretoensurethatourArmedForces havethesupporttheyneed,andthatveterans andtheirfamiliesaretreatedwiththedignity thattheydeserve.

• WewillmaintainBritain’snucleardeterrent, andhaveagreedthattherenewalofTrident shouldbescrutinisedtoensurevaluefor money.LiberalDemocratswillcontinue tomakethecaseforalternatives.Wewill immediatelyplayastrongroleintheNuclear Non-ProliferationTreatyReviewConference, andpressforcontinuedprogresson multilateraldisarmament.

• WewillaimtoreduceMinistryofDefence runningcostsbyatleast25%.

• WewillworktorebuildtheMilitaryCovenant by:

– ensuringthatServicepersonnel’srestand recuperationleavecanbemaximised;

– changingtherulessothatServicepersonnel onlyhavetoregisteronceontheService register;

– exploringthepotentialforincludingService childrenaspartofourproposalsforapupil premium;

– providinguniversityandfurthereducation scholarshipsforthechildrenofServicemen andwomenwhohavebeenkilledonactive dutysince1990;

– providingsupportforex-Servicepersonnel tostudyatuniversity,

– creatinganewprogramme,‘Troopsfor Teachers’,torecruitex-Servicepersonnel intotheteachingprofession;

– providingextrasupportforveteranmental healthneeds;and

– reviewingtherulesgoverningtheawarding ofmedals.

• Wewilldoubletheoperationalallowance forArmedForcespersonnelservingin Afghanistan,andincludeArmedForcespayin ourplansforafairpayreview.

• Wewillensurethatinjuredpersonnelare treatedindedicatedmilitarywards.

• Wewilllookatwhetherthereisscopeto refurbishArmedForces’accommodation fromefficiencieswithintheMinistryof Defence.

• Wewillsupportdefencejobsthroughexports thatareusedforlegitimatepurposes,not internalrepression,andwillworkforafull internationalbanonclustermunitions.

9. DEFICITREDUCTION TheGovernmentbelievesthatitisthemost vulnerablewhoaremostatriskfromthe debtcrisis,andthatitisdeeplyunfairthatthe Governmentcouldhavetospendmoreondebt interestpaymentsthanonschools.Soweneed immediateactiontotacklethedeficitinafairand responsibleway,ensurethattaxpayers’money isspentresponsibly,andgetthepublicfinances backontrack.

• Werecognisethatdeficitreduction,and continuingtoensureeconomicrecovery,is themosturgentissuefacingBritain.

• Wewillsignificantlyacceleratethereduction ofthestructuraldeficitoverthecourseofa Parliament,withthemainburdenofdeficit reductionbornebyreducedspendingrather thanincreasedtaxes.

• Wewillintroducearrangementsthatwill protectthoseonlowincomesfromtheeffect ofpublicsectorpayconstraintandother spendingconstraints.

• Wewillprotectjobsbystoppingthe proposedjobstax.

• Wewillsetoutaplanfordeficitreductionin anemergencybudget.Wehavecreatedan independentOfficeforBudgetResponsibility tomakenewforecastsofgrowthand borrowingforthisemergencybudget.


• Wewillmakemodestcutsof£6billionto non-front-lineserviceswithinthefinancial year2010/11,subjecttoadvicefromthe TreasuryandtheBankofEnglandontheir feasibilityandadvisability.Aproportionof thesesavingscanbeusedtosupportjobs.

• WewillholdafullSpendingReviewreporting thisautumn,followingafullyconsultative processinvolvingalltiersofgovernmentand theprivatesector.

• WewillreducespendingontheChildTrust Fundandtaxcreditsforhigherearners.

• Wewillcreatestrongfinancialdisciplineatall levelsofgovernmentandplaceanobligation onpublicservantstomanagetaxpayers’ moneywisely.

• Wewillreducethenumberandcostof quangos.

10.ENERGYANDCLIMATE CHANGE

TheGovernmentbelievesthatclimatechange isoneofthegravestthreatsweface,andthat urgentactionathomeandabroadisrequired. Weneedtouseawiderangeofleverstocut carbonemissions,decarbonisetheeconomy andsupportthecreationofnewgreenjobs andtechnologies.Wewillimplementafull programmeofmeasurestofulfilourjoint ambitionsforalowcarbonandeco-friendly economy.

• WewillpushfortheEUtodemonstrate leadershipintacklinginternationalclimate change,includingbysupportinganincreasein theEUemissionreductiontargetto30%by 2020.

• Wewillseektoincreasethetargetforenergy fromrenewablesources,subjecttotheadvice oftheClimateChangeCommittee.

• Wewillcontinuepublicsectorinvestmentin carboncaptureandstorage(CCS)technology forfourcoal-firedpowerstations.

• Wewillestablishasmartgridandrollout smartmeters.

• Wewillestablishafullsystemoffeed-intariffs inelectricity–aswellasthemaintenanceof bandedRenewablesObligationCertificates.

• Wewillintroducemeasurestopromotea hugeincreaseinenergyfromwastethrough anaerobicdigestion.

• Wewillcreateagreeninvestmentbank.

• Wewillretainenergyperformance certificateswhilescrappingHIPs.

• Wewillintroducemeasurestoencourage marineenergy.

• Wewillestablishanemissionsperformance standardthatwillpreventcoal-firedpower stationsbeingbuiltunlesstheyareequipped withsufficientcarboncaptureandstorageto meettheemissionsperformancestandard.

• WewillcancelthethirdrunwayatHeathrow.

• Wewillrefusepermissionforadditional runwaysatGatwickandStansted.

• WewillreplaceAirPassengerDutywitha per-flightduty.

• Wewillintroduceafloorpriceforcarbon, andmakeeffortstopersuadetheEUtomove towardsfullauctioningofETSpermits.

• Throughour‘GreenDeal’,wewillencourage homeenergyefficiencyimprovementspaid forbysavingsfromenergybills.Wewillalso takemeasurestoimproveenergyefficiencyin businessesandpublicsectorbuildings.Wewill reducecentralgovernmentcarbonemissions by10%within12months.

• Wewillreformenergymarketstodeliver securityofsupplyandinvestmentinlow carbonenergy,andensurefaircompetition includingareviewoftheroleofOfgem.

• WewillinstructOfgemtoestablishasecurity guaranteeofenergysupplies.

• WewillgiveanAnnualEnergyStatementto Parliamenttosetstrategicenergypolicyand guideinvestment.

• Wewilldeliveranoffshoreelectricitygridin ordertosupportthedevelopmentofanew generationofoffshorewindpower.


• Wewillencouragecommunity-owned renewableenergyschemeswherelocalpeople benefitfromthepowerproduced.Wewill alsoallowcommunitiesthathostrenewable energyprojectstokeeptheadditional businessratestheygenerate.

• Aspartofthecreationofagreeninvestment bank,wewillcreategreenfinancialproducts toprovideindividualswithopportunitiesto investintheinfrastructureneededtosupport thenewgreeneconomy.

• Wewillworktowardsanambitiousglobal climatedealthatwilllimitemissionsand explorethecreationofnewinternational sourcesoffundingforthepurposeofclimate changeadaptationandmitigation.

• LiberalDemocratshavelongopposedany newnuclearconstruction.Conservatives, bycontrast,arecommittedtoallowing thereplacementofexistingnuclearpower stationsprovidedthattheyaresubjecttothe normalplanningprocessformajorprojects (underanewNationalPlanningStatement), andalsoprovidedthattheyreceivenopublic subsidy.

• Wewillimplementaprocessallowing theLiberalDemocratstomaintaintheir oppositiontonuclearpowerwhilepermitting theGovernmenttobringforwardthe NationalPlanningStatementforratificationby Parliamentsothatnewnuclearconstruction becomespossible.Thisprocesswillinvolve:

– theGovernmentcompletingthedraftingof anationalplanningstatementandputtingit beforeParliament;

– specificagreementthataLiberalDemocrat spokespersonwillspeakagainstthe PlanningStatement,butthatLiberal DemocratMPswillabstain;and

– claritythatthiswillnotberegardedasan issueofconfidence.

11.ENVIRONMENT,FOODAND RURALAFFAIRS

TheGovernmentbelievesthatweneedto protecttheenvironmentforfuturegenerations, makeoureconomymoreenvironmentally sustainable,andimproveourqualityoflifeand well-being.Wealsobelievethatmuchmore needstobedonetosupportthefarming industry,protectbiodiversityandencourage sustainablefoodproduction.

• Wewillintroducemeasurestomakethe importorpossessionofillegaltimbera criminaloffence.

• Wewillintroducemeasurestoprotect wildlifeandpromotegreenspacesandwildlife corridorsinordertohaltthelossofhabitats andrestorebiodiversity.

• Wewilllaunchanationaltreeplanting campaign.

• Wewillreviewthegovernancearrangements ofNationalParksinordertoincreaselocal accountability.

• Wewillworktowardsfullcompliancewith EuropeanAirQualitystandards.

• WewilltakeforwardthefindingsofthePitt Reviewtoimproveourflooddefences,and preventunnecessarybuildinginareasofhigh floodrisk.

• WewillexaminetheconclusionsoftheCave andWalkerReviews,andreformthewater industrytoensuremoreefficientuseofwater andtheprotectionofpoorerhouseholds.

• Wewillworktowardsa‘zerowaste’ economy,encouragecouncilstopaypeopleto recycle,andworktoreducelittering.

• Wewillreducetheregulatoryburdenon farmersbymovingtoarisk-basedsystemof regulation,andwilldevelopasystemofextra supportforhillfarmers.


• Wewillinvestigatewaystosharewith livestockkeeperstheresponsibilityfor preparingforanddealingwithoutbreaksof disease.

• WewilltakeforwardtheMarineandCoastal AccessActandensurethatitsconservation measuresareimplementedeffectively.

• Aspartofapackageofmeasures,wewill introduceacarefullymanagedandscience-led policyofbadgercontrolinareaswithhighand persistentlevelsofbovinetuberculosis.

• Wewillpromotehighstandardsoffarm animalwelfare.Wewillendthetestingof householdproductsonanimalsandwork toreducetheuseofanimalsinscientific research.Wewillpromoteresponsiblepet ownershipbyintroducingeffectivecodesof practiceundertheAnimalWelfareAct,and willensurethatenforcementagenciestarget irresponsibleownersofdangerousdogs.

• Wewillensurethatfoodprocuredby governmentdepartments,andeventuallythe wholepublicsector,meetsBritishstandards ofproductionwhereverthiscanbeachieved withoutincreasingoverallcost.

• Wewillinvestigatemeasurestohelpwithfuel costsinremoteruralareas,startingwithpilot schemes.

• Wewillcreateapresumptioninfavourof sustainabledevelopmentintheplanning system.

• Weopposetheresumptionofcommercial whaling,willpressforabanonivorysales,and willtacklethesmugglingandillegaltradeon wildlifethroughournewBorderPoliceForce.

• Wewillbringforwardamotiononafreevote enablingtheHouseofCommonstoexpress itsviewontherepealoftheHuntingAct.

12.EQUALITIES TheGovernmentbelievesthatthereare manybarrierstosocialmobilityandequal opportunitiesinBritaintoday,withtoomany childrenheldbackbecauseoftheirsocial background,andtoomanypeopleofallagesheld backbecauseoftheirgender,race,religionor sexuality.Weneedconcertedgovernmentaction toteardownthesebarriersandhelptobuilda fairersociety.

• Wewillpromoteequalpayandtakearange ofmeasurestoenddiscriminationinthe workplace.

• Wewillextendtherighttorequestflexible workingtoallemployees,consultingwith businessonhowbesttodoso.

• Wewillundertakeafairpayreviewinthe publicsectortoimplementourproposed ‘20times’paymultiple.

• Wewilllooktopromotegenderequalityon theboardsoflistedcompanies.

• Wewillpromoteimprovedcommunity relationsandopportunitiesforBlack,Asian andMinorityEthnic(BAME)communities, includingbyprovidinginternshipsforunder-representedminoritiesineveryWhitehall departmentandfundingatargetednational enterprisementoringschemeforBAME peoplewhowanttostartabusiness.

• Wewillstopthedeportationofasylum seekerswhohavehadtoleaveparticular countriesbecausetheirsexualorientationor genderidentificationputsthematprovenrisk ofimprisonment,tortureorexecution.

• Wewilluseourrelationshipswithother countriestopushforunequivocalsupportfor gayrightsandforUKcivilpartnershipstobe recognisedinternationally.


13.EUROPE TheGovernmentbelievesthatBritainshouldplay aleadingroleinanenlargedEuropeanUnion,but thatnofurtherpowersshouldbetransferredto Brusselswithoutareferendum.Thisapproach strikestherightbalancebetweenconstructive engagementwiththeEUtodealwiththeissues thataffectusall,andprotectingournational sovereignty.

• WewillensurethattheBritishGovernmentis apositiveparticipantintheEuropeanUnion, playingastrongandpositiverolewithour partners,withthegoalofensuringthatall thenationsofEuropeareequippedtoface thechallengesofthe21stcentury:global competitiveness,globalwarmingandglobal poverty.

• Wewillensurethatthereisnofurther transferofsovereigntyorpowersover thecourseofthenextParliament.Wewill examinethebalanceoftheEU’sexisting competencesandwill,inparticular,workto limittheapplicationoftheWorkingTime DirectiveintheUnitedKingdom.

• Wewillamendthe1972European CommunitiesActsothatanyproposed futuretreatythattransferredareasofpower, orcompetences,wouldbesubjecttoa referendumonthattreaty–a‘referendum lock’.Wewillamendthe1972European CommunitiesActsothattheuseofany passerellewouldrequireprimarylegislation.

• WewillexaminethecaseforaUnited KingdomSovereigntyBilltomakeitclearthat ultimateauthorityremainswithParliament.

• WewillensurethatBritaindoesnotjoinor preparetojointheEurointhisParliament.

• WewillstronglydefendtheUK’snational interestsintheforthcomingEUbudget negotiationsandagreethattheEUbudget shouldonlyfocusonthoseareaswherethe EUcanaddvalue.

• WewillpressfortheEuropeanParliamentto haveonlyoneseat,inBrussels.

• Wewillapproachforthcominglegislationin theareaofcriminaljusticeonacase-by-case basis,withaviewtomaximisingourcountry’s security,protectingBritain’scivilliberties andpreservingtheintegrityofourcriminal justicesystem.Britainwillnotparticipate intheestablishmentofanyEuropeanPublic Prosecutor.

• Wesupportthefurtherenlargementofthe EU.

14.FAMILIESANDCHILDREN TheGovernmentbelievesthatstrongandstable familiesofallkindsarethebedrockofastrong andstablesociety.Thatiswhyweneedto makeoursocietymorefamilyfriendly,andto takeactiontoprotectchildrenfromexcessive commercialisationandprematuresexualisation.

• Wewillmaintainthegoalofendingchild povertyintheUKby2020.

• Wewillreformtheadministrationoftax creditstoreducefraudandoverpayments.

• Wewillbringforwardplanstoreducethe couplepenaltyinthetaxcreditsystemaswe makesavingsfromourwelfarereformplans.

• Wesupporttheprovisionoffreenurserycare forpre-schoolchildren,andwewantthat supporttobeprovidedbyadiverserangeof providers,withagreatergenderbalanceinthe earlyyearsworkforce.

• WewilltakeSureStartbacktoitsoriginal purposeofearlyintervention,increaseits focusontheneediestfamilies,andbetter involveorganisationswithatrackrecordof supportingfamilies.Wewillinvestigateways ofensuringthatprovidersarepaidinpartby theresultstheyachieve.

• WewillrefocusfundingfromSureStart peripateticoutreachservices,andfromthe DepartmentofHealthbudget,topayfor 4,200extraSureStarthealthvisitors.

• Wewillinvestigateanewapproachtohelping familieswithmultipleproblems.


• Wewillpublishseriouscasereviews,with identifyingdetailsremoved.

• Wewillreviewthecriminalrecordsand vettingandbarringregimeandscaleitbackto commonsenselevels.

• Wewillcrackdownonirresponsible advertisingandmarketing,especiallyto children.Wewillalsotakestepstotackle thecommercialisationandsexualisationof childhood.

• Wewillencouragesharedparentingfromthe earlieststagesofpregnancy–includingthe promotionofasystemofflexibleparental leave.

• Wewillputfundingforrelationshipsupport onastable,long-termfooting,andmakesure thatcouplesaregivengreaterencouragement touseexistingrelationshipsupport.

• Wewillconductacomprehensivereview offamilylawinordertoincreasetheuse ofmediationwhencouplesdobreakup, andtolookathowbesttoprovidegreater accessrightstonon-residentparentsand grandparents.

15.FOREIGNAFFAIRS TheGovernmentbelievesthatBritainmust alwaysbeanactivememberoftheglobal community,promotingournationalinterests whilestandingupforthevaluesoffreedom, fairnessandresponsibility.Thismeansworking asaconstructivememberoftheUnitedNations, NATOandothermultilateralorganisations includingtheCommonwealth;workingto promotestabilityandsecurity;andpushingfor reformofglobalinstitutionstoensurethatthey reflectthemodernworld.

• Wewilltakeforwardoursharedresolve tosafeguardtheUK’snationalsecurityand supportourArmedForcesinAfghanistanand elsewhere.

• WewillpushforpeaceintheMiddleEast, withasecureanduniversallyrecognised Israellivingalongsideasovereignandviable Palestinianstate.

• Wewillworktoestablishanew‘special relationship’withIndiaandseekcloser engagementwithChina,whilestanding firmonhumanrightsinallourbilateral relationships.

• Wewillmaintainastrong,closeandfrank relationshipwiththeUnitedStates.

• WewanttostrengthentheCommonwealth asafocusforpromotingdemocraticvalues anddevelopment.

• Wewillworktopromotestabilityinthe WesternBalkans.

• Wewillsupportconcertedinternational effortstopreventIranfromobtaininga nuclearweapon.

• WesupportreformoftheUNSecurity Council,includingpermanentseatsfor Japan,India,Germany,BrazilandAfrican representation.

• Wewillworktointensifyourcultural, educational,commercialanddiplomaticlinks withmanynationsbeyondEuropeandNorth AmericatostrengthentheUK’srelations withthefastest-growingareasoftheworld economy.

• Wewillnevercondonetheuseoftorture.

16.GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY

TheGovernmentbelievesthatweneedtothrow openthedoorsofpublicbodies,toenablethe publictoholdpoliticiansandpublicbodiesto account.Wealsorecognisethatthiswillhelpto deliverbettervalueformoneyinpublicspending, andhelpusachieveouraimofcuttingthe recorddeficit.Settinggovernmentdatafreewill bringsignificanteconomicbenefitsbyenabling businessesandnon-profitorganisationstobuild innovativeapplicationsandwebsites.

• Wewillrequirepublicbodiestopublishonline thejobtitlesofeverymemberofstaffandthe salariesandexpensesofseniorofficialspaid morethanthelowestsalarypermissibleinPay


Band1oftheSeniorCivilServicepayscale, andorganogramsthatincludeallpositionsin thosebodies.

• Wewillrequireanyonepaidmorethanthe PrimeMinisterinthecentrallyfundedpublic sectortohavetheirsalarysignedoffbythe Treasury.

• Wewillregulatelobbyingthroughintroducing astatutoryregisteroflobbyistsandensuring greatertransparency.

• Wewillalsopursueadetailedagreementon limitingdonationsandreformingpartyfunding inordertoremovebigmoneyfrompolitics.

• WewillstrengthenthepowersofSelect Committeestoscrutinisemajorpublic appointments.

• Wewillintroducenewprotectionsfor whistleblowersinthepublicsector.

• Wewilltakestepstoopenupgovernment procurementandreducecosts;andwewill publishgovernmentICTcontractsonline.

• Wewillcreatealevelplayingfieldforopen-sourcesoftwareandwillenablelargeICT projectstobesplitintosmallercomponents.

• Wewillrequirefull,onlinedisclosureofall centralgovernmentspendingandcontracts over£25,000.

• Wewillcreateanew‘righttodata’sothat government-helddatasetscanberequested andusedbythepublic,andthenpublishedon aregularbasis.

• Wewillrequireallcouncilstopublishmeeting minutesandlocalserviceandperformance data.

• Wewillrequireallcouncilstopublishitemsof spendingabove£500,andtopublishcontracts andtenderdocumentsinfull.

• Wewillensurethatalldatapublishedby publicbodiesispublishedinanopenand standardisedformat,sothatitcanbeused easilyandwithminimalcostbythirdparties.

17. IMMIGRATION TheGovernmentbelievesthatimmigration hasenrichedourcultureandstrengthenedour economy,butthatitmustbecontrolledsothat peoplehaveconfidenceinthesystem.Wealso recognisethattoensurecohesionandprotect ourpublicservices,weneedtointroduceacap onimmigrationandreducethenumberofnon-EUimmigrants.

• Wewillintroduceanannuallimitonthe numberofnon-EUeconomicmigrants admittedintotheUKtoliveandwork. Wewillconsiderjointlythemechanismfor implementingthelimit.

• Wewillendthedetentionofchildrenfor immigrationpurposes.

• WewillcreateadedicatedBorderPolice Force,aspartofarefocusedSerious OrganisedCrimeAgency,toenhancenational security,improveimmigrationcontrolsand crackdownonthetraffickingofpeople, weaponsanddrugs.Wewillworkwithpolice forcestostrengthenarrangementstodeal withseriouscrimeandothercross-boundary policingchallenges,andextendcollaboration betweenforcestodeliverbettervaluefor money.

• WesupportE-bordersandwillreintroduce exitchecks.

• Wewillapplytransitionalcontrolsasamatter ofcourseinthefutureforallnewEUMember States.

• Wewillintroducenewmeasurestominimise abuseoftheimmigrationsystem,forexample viastudentroutes,andwilltacklehuman traffickingasapriority.

• Wewillexplorenewwaystoimprovethe currentasylumsystemtospeedupthe processingofapplications.


18.INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

TheGovernmentbelievesthateveninthese difficulteconomictimes,theUKhasamoral responsibilitytohelpthepoorestpeopleinthe world.Wewillhonourouraidcommitments, butatthesametimewillensuremuchgreater transparencyandscrutinyofaidspendingto delivervalueformoneyforBritishtaxpayersand tomaximisetheimpactofouraidbudget.

• Wewillhonourourcommitmenttospend 0.7%ofGNIonoverseasaidfrom2013,and toenshrinethiscommitmentinlaw.

• Wewillencourageothercountriestofulfil theiraidcommitments.

• Wewillsupportactionstoachievethe MillenniumDevelopmentGoals.Inparticular, wewillprioritiseaidspendingonprogrammes toensurethateveryonehasaccesstoclean water,sanitation,healthcareandeducation;to reducematernalandinfantmortality;andto restrictthespreadofmajordiseaseslikeHIV/ AIDS,TBandmalaria.Wewillrecognisethe vitalroleofwomenindevelopment,promote genderequalityandfocusontherightsof women,childrenanddisabledpeopleto accessservices.

• Wewillusetheaidbudgettosupportthe developmentoflocaldemocraticinstitutions, civilsocietygroups,themediaandenterprise; andsupporteffortstotacklecorruption.

• Wewillintroducefulltransparencyinaid andpublishdetailsofallUKaidspending online. Wewillpushforsimilarlyhighlevelsof transparencyinternationally.

• WewillcreatenewmechanismstogiveBritish peopleadirectsayinhowanelementofthe aidbudgetisspent.

• Wewillkeepaiduntiedfromcommercial interests,andwillmaintainDfIDasan independentdepartmentfocusedonpoverty reduction.

• Wewillsticktotheruleslaiddownbythe OECDaboutwhatspendingcountsasaid.

• Wewillpushhardin2010tomakegreater progressintacklingmaternalandinfant mortality.

• Wewillworktoacceleratetheprocessof relievingHeavilyIndebtedPoorCountriesof theirdebt.

• Wewillsupporteffortstoestablishan InternationalArmsTradeTreatytolimitthe salesofarmstodangerousregimes.

• Wewillsupportpro-developmenttrade deals,includingtheproposedPan-AfricanFree TradeArea.

• Wewillsupportinnovativeandeffective smallerBritishnon-governmental organisationsthatarecommittedtotackling poverty.

• Wewillexplorewaysofhelpingthevery poorestdevelopingcountriestotakepartin internationalclimatechangenegotiations.

• WewillensurethatUKTradeandInvestment andtheExportCreditsGuarantee DepartmentbecomechampionsforBritish companiesthatdevelopandexportinnovative greentechnologiesaroundtheworld,instead ofsupportinginvestmentindirtyfossil-fuel energyproduction.

• Wewillprovideamoreintegratedapproach topost-conflictreconstructionwherethe Britishmilitaryisinvolved–buildingonthe StabilisationUnitinWhitehallandcreatinga newStabilisationandReconstructionForceto bridgethegapbetweenthemilitaryandthe reconstructioneffort.

• Wewillreviewwhatactioncanbetaken against‘vulturefunds’.

• Wewillsupportreformofglobalfinancial institutionssuchastheWorldBankand theInternationalMonetaryFundinorder toincreasetheinvolvementofdeveloping nations.


19.JOBSANDWELFARE TheGovernmentbelievesthatweneedto encourageresponsibilityandfairnessinthe welfaresystem.Thatmeansprovidinghelpfor thosewhocannotwork,trainingandtargeted supportforthoselookingforwork,but sanctionsforthosewhoturndownreasonable offersofworkortraining.

• Wewillendallexistingwelfaretowork programmesandcreateasinglewelfareto workprogrammetohelpallunemployed peoplegetbackintowork.

• WewillensurethatJobseeker’sAllowance claimantsfacingthemostsignificantbarriers toworkarereferredtothenewwelfare toworkprogrammeimmediately,notafter 12monthsasiscurrentlythecase.Wewill ensurethatJobseeker’sAllowanceclaimants agedunder25arereferredtotheprogramme afteramaximumofsixmonths.

• Wewillrealigncontractswithwelfareto workserviceproviderstoreflectmoreclosely theresultstheyachieveingettingpeopleback intowork.

• Wewillreformthefundingmechanismused bygovernmenttofinancewelfaretowork programmestoreflectthefactthatinitial investmentdeliverslatersavingsthrough lowerbenefitexpenditure,includingcreating anintegratedworkprogrammewithoutcome fundingbasedupontheDEL/AMEswitch.

• Wewillensurethatreceiptofbenefitsfor thoseabletoworkisconditionalontheir willingnesstowork.

• WesupporttheNationalMinimumWage becauseoftheprotectionitgiveslow-incomeworkersandtheincentivestoworkit provides.

• Wewillre-assessallcurrentclaimantsof IncapacityBenefitfortheirreadinesstowork. Thoseassessedasfullycapableforworkwill bemovedontoJobseeker’sAllowance.

• Wewillsupportwould-beentrepreneurs throughanewprogramme–Workfor Yourself–whichwillgivetheunemployed accesstobusinessmentorsandstart-uploans.

• WewilldrawonarangeofServiceAcademies toofferpre-employmenttrainingandwork placementsforunemployedpeople.

• WewilldeveloplocalWorkClubs–places whereunemployedpeoplecangatherto exchangeskills,findopportunities,make contactsandprovidemutualsupport.

• Wewillinvestigatehowtosimplifythe benefit systeminordertoimproveincentives towork.

20.JUSTICE TheGovernmentbelievesthatmoreneedsto bedonetoensurefairnessinthejusticesystem. Thismeansintroducingmoreeffectivesentencing policies,aswellasoverhaulingthesystemof rehabilitationtoreducereoffendingandprovide greatersupportandprotectionforthevictimsof crime.

• Wewillintroducea‘rehabilitationrevolution’ thatwillpayindependentproviderstoreduce reoffending,paidforbythesavingsthisnew approachwillgeneratewithinthecriminal justicesystem.

• Wewillconductafullreviewofsentencing policytoensurethatitiseffectivein deterringcrime,protectingthepublic, punishingoffendersandcuttingreoffending.In particular,wewillensurethatsentencingfor drugusehelpsoffenderscomeoffdrugs.

• Wewillexplorealternativeformsofsecure, treatment-basedaccommodationformentally illanddrugsoffenders.

• WewillimplementthePrisoners’Earnings Act1996toallowdeductionsfromthe earningsofprisonersinproperlypaidworkto bepaidintotheVictims’Fund.

• Wewillconsiderhowtouseproceedsfrom theVictimSurchargetodeliverupto15new rapecrisiscentres,andgiveexistingrapecrisis centresstable,long-termfunding.

• Wewillcarryoutafundamentalreviewof LegalAidtomakeitworkmoreefficiently.


• Wewillchangethelawsothathistorical convictionsforconsensualgaysexwithover-16swillbetreatedasspentandwillnotshow uponcriminalrecordschecks.

• Wewillextendanonymityinrapecasesto defendants.

• Wewillintroduceeffectivemeasurestotackle anti-socialbehaviourandlow-levelcrime, includingformsofrestorativejusticesuchas NeighbourhoodJusticePanels.

21.NATIONALSECURITY TheGovernmentbelievesthatitsprimary responsibilityistoensurenationalsecurity.We needacoherentapproachtonationalsecurity issuesacrossgovernment,andwewilltakeaction totackleterrorism,anditscauses,athomeand abroad.

• WehaveestablishedaNationalSecurity CouncilandappointedaNationalSecurity Adviser.

• WehavecommencedaStrategicDefenceand SecurityReview,commissionedandoverseen bytheNationalSecurityCouncil,withstrong Treasuryinvolvement.Wewillalsodevelop andpublishanewNationalSecurityStrategy.

• WewillurgentlyreviewControlOrders,as partofawiderreviewofcounter-terrorist legislation,measuresandprogrammes.We willseektofindapracticalwaytoallowthe useofinterceptevidenceincourt.

• Wewilldenypublicfundstoanygroupthat hasrecentlyespousedorincitedviolenceor hatred.Wewillproscribesuchorganisations, subjecttotheadviceofthepoliceandsecurity andintelligenceagencies.

• WebelievethatBritainshouldbeableto deportforeignnationalswhothreaten oursecuritytocountrieswherethereare verifiableguaranteesthattheywillnotbe tortured.Wewillseektoextendthese guaranteestomorecountries.

22.NHS TheGovernmentbelievesthattheNHSisan importantexpressionofournationalvalues. WearecommittedtoanNHSthatisfreeatthe pointofuseandavailabletoeveryonebasedon need,nottheabilitytopay.Wewanttofree NHSstafffrompoliticalmicromanagement, increasedemocraticparticipationintheNHS andmaketheNHSmoreaccountabletothe patientsthatitserves.Thatwaywewilldriveup standards,supportprofessionalresponsibility, deliverbettervalueformoneyandcreatea healthiernation.

• Wewillguaranteethathealthspending increasesinrealtermsineachyearofthe Parliament,whilerecognisingtheimpactthis decisionwillhaveonotherdepartments.

• Wewillstopthetop-downreorganisations oftheNHSthathavegotinthewayof patientcare.Wearecommittedtoreducing duplicationandtheresourcesspenton administration,anddivertingtheseresources backtofront-linecare.

• Wewillsignificantlycutthenumberofhealth quangos.

• WewillcutthecostofNHSadministration byathirdandtransferresourcestosupport doctorsandnursesonthefrontline.

• Wewillstopthecentrallydictatedclosureof A&Eandmaternitywards,sothatpeoplehave betteraccesstolocalservices.

• WewillstrengthenthepowerofGPsas patients’expertguidesthroughthehealth systembyenablingthemtocommissioncare ontheirbehalf.

• Wewillensurethatthereisastrongervoice forpatientslocallythroughdirectlyelected individualsontheboardsoftheirlocal primarycaretrust(PCT).Theremainder ofthePCT’sboardwillbeappointedbythe relevantlocalauthorityorauthorities,and theChiefExecutiveandprincipalofficerswill beappointedbytheSecretaryofStateonthe adviceofthenewindependentNHSboard. Thiswillensuretherightbalancebetween


locallyaccountableindividualsandtechnical expertise.

• ThelocalPCTwillactasachampionfor patientsandcommissionthoseresidual servicesthatarebestundertakenatawider level,ratherthandirectlybyGPs.Itwillalso takeresponsibilityforimprovingpublichealth forpeopleintheirarea,workingclosely withthelocalauthorityandotherlocal organisations.

• Ifalocalauthorityhasconcernsabouta significantproposedclosureoflocalservices, forexampleanA&Edepartment,itwillhave therighttochallengehealthorganisations, andreferthecasetotheIndependent ReconfigurationPanel.ThePanelwouldthen provideadvicetotheSecretaryofStatefor Health.

• Wewillgiveeverypatienttherighttochoose toregisterwiththeGPtheywant,without beingrestrictedbywheretheylive.

• Wewilldevelopa24/7urgentcareservicein everyareaofEngland,includingGPout-of-hoursservices,andensureeverypatientcan accessalocalGP.Wewillmakecaremore accessiblebyintroducingasinglenumber foreverykindofurgentcareandbyusing technologytohelppeoplecommunicatewith theirdoctors.

• WewillrenegotiatetheGPcontractand incentivisewaysofimprovingaccessto primarycareindisadvantagedareas.

• WewillmaketheNHSworkbetterby extendingbestpracticeonimproving dischargefromhospital,maximisingthe numberofdaycareoperations,reducing delayspriortooperations,andwherepossible enablingcommunityaccesstocareand treatments.

• Wewillhelpelderlypeopleliveathome forlongerthroughsolutionssuchashome adaptationsandcommunitysupport programmes.

• Wewillprioritisedementiaresearchwithin thehealthresearchanddevelopmentbudget.

• Wewillseektostopforeignhealthcare professionalsworkingintheNHSunlessthey havepassedrobustlanguageandcompetence tests.

• Doctorsandnursesneedtobeabletouse theirprofessionaljudgementaboutwhatis rightforpatientsandwewillsupportthisby givingfront-linestaffmorecontroloftheir workingenvironment.

• WewillstrengthentheroleoftheCare QualityCommissionsoitbecomesan effectivequalityinspectorate.Wewilldevelop Monitorintoaneconomicregulatorthatwill overseeaspectsofaccess,competitionand price-settingintheNHS.

• WewillestablishanindependentNHS boardtoallocateresourcesandprovide commissioningguidelines.

• Wewillenablepatientstoratehospitalsand doctorsaccordingtothequalityofcarethey received,andwewillrequirehospitalstobe openaboutmistakesandalwaystellpatientsif somethinghasgonewrong.

• Wewillmeasureoursuccessonthehealth resultsthatreallymatter–suchasimproving cancerandstrokesurvivalratesorreducing hospitalinfections.

• Wewillpublishdetaileddataaboutthe performanceofhealthcareprovidersonline, soeveryonewillknowwhoisprovidinga goodserviceandwhoisfallingbehind.

• Wewillputpatientsinchargeofmaking decisionsabouttheircare,includingcontrolof theirhealthrecords.

• WewillcreateaCancerDrugsFundto enablepatientstoaccessthecancerdrugs theirdoctorsthinkwillhelpthem,paidfor usingmoneysavedbytheNHSthroughour pledgetostoptheriseinEmployerNational InsurancecontributionsfromApril2011.

• WewillreformNICEandmovetoasystem ofvalue-basedpricing,sothatallpatientscan accessthedrugsandtreatmentstheirdoctors thinktheyneed.


• Wewillintroduceanewdentistrycontract thatwillfocusonachievinggooddentalhealth andincreasingaccesstoNHSdentistry,with anadditionalfocusontheoralhealthof schoolchildren.

• Wewillprovide£10millionayearbeyond 2011fromwithinthebudgetofthe DepartmentofHealthtosupportchildren’s hospicesintheirvitalwork.Andsothat propersupportforthemostsickchildren andadultscancontinueinthesettingoftheir choice,wewillintroduceanewper-patient fundingsystemforallhospicesandproviders ofpalliativecare.

• WewillencourageNHSorganisationsto workbetterwiththeirlocalpoliceforcesto clampdownonanyonewhoisaggressiveand abusivetostaff.

• Wearecommittedtothecontinuous improvementofthequalityofservicesto patients,andtoachievingthisthroughmuch greaterinvolvementofindependentand voluntaryproviders.

• Wewillgiveeverypatientthepower tochooseanyhealthcareproviderthat meetsNHSstandards,withinNHSprices. Thisincludesindependent,voluntaryand communitysectorproviders.

23.PENSIONSANDOLDER PEOPLE

TheGovernmentbelievesthatpeopledeserve dignityandrespectinoldage,andthatthey shouldbeprovidedwiththesupportthey need.Thatmeanssafeguardingkeybenefitsand pensions,andtakingactiontomakeiteasierfor olderpeopletoworkorvolunteer.

• Wewillrestoretheearningslinkforthebasic statepensionfromApril2011,witha‘triple guarantee’thatpensionsareraisedbythe higherofearnings,pricesor2.5%.

• Wewillcommittoestablishingan independentcommissiontoreviewthelong-termaffordabilityofpublicsectorpensions, whileprotectingaccruedrights.

• Wewillphaseoutthedefaultretirementage andholdareviewtosetthedateatwhichthe statepensionagestartstoriseto66,although itwillnotbesoonerthan2016formenand 2020forwomen.Wewillendtherules requiringcompulsoryannuitisationat75.

• WewillimplementtheParliamentaryand HealthOmbudsman’srecommendation tomakefairandtransparentpaymentsto EquitableLifepolicyholders,throughan independentpaymentscheme,fortheir relativelossasaconsequenceofregulatory failure.

• Wewillexplorethepotentialtogivepeople greaterflexibilityinaccessingpartoftheir personalpensionfundearly.

• Wewillprotectkeybenefitsforolderpeople suchasthewinterfuelallowance,freeTV licences,freebustravel,andfreeeyetestsand prescriptions.

• Wewillsimplifytherulesandregulations relatingtopensionstohelpreinvigorate occupationalpensions,encouraging companiestoofferhigh-qualitypensionsto allemployees,andwewillworkwithbusiness andtheindustrytosupportautoenrolment.

24.POLITICALREFORM TheGovernmentbelievesthatourpolitical systemisbroken.Weurgentlyneedfundamental politicalreform,includingareferendumon electoralreform,muchgreaterco-operation acrosspartylines,andchangestoourpolitical systemtomakeitfarmoretransparentand accountable.

• Wewillestablishfive-yearfixed-term Parliaments.Wewillputabindingmotion beforetheHouseofCommonsstatingthat thenextgeneralelectionwillbeheldonthe firstThursdayofMay2015.Followingthis motion,wewilllegislatetomakeprovision forfixed-termParliamentsoffiveyears.This legislationwillalsoprovidefordissolutionif 55%ormoreoftheHousevotesinfavour.


• WewillbringforwardaReferendumBillon electoralreform,whichincludesprovisionfor theintroductionoftheAlternativeVoteinthe eventofapositiveresultinthereferendum, aswellasforthecreationoffewerandmore equalsizedconstituencies.Wewillwhip bothParliamentarypartiesinbothHouses tosupportasimplemajorityreferendumon theAlternativeVote,withoutprejudiceto thepositionspartieswilltakeduringsucha referendum.

• Wewillbringforwardearlylegislationto introduceapowerofrecall,allowingvoters toforceaby-electionwhereanMPisfound tohaveengagedinseriouswrongdoingand havinghadapetitioncallingforaby-election signedby10%ofhisorherconstituents.

• Wewillestablishacommitteetobring forwardproposalsforawhollyormainly electedupperchamberonthebasisof proportionalrepresentation.Thecommittee willcomeforwardwithadraftmotionby December2010.Itislikelythatthiswill advocatesinglelongtermsofoffice.Itis alsolikelythattherewillbeagrandfathering systemforcurrentPeers.Intheinterim, Lordsappointmentswillbemadewiththe objectiveofcreatingasecondchamberthat isreflectiveoftheshareofthevotesecured bythepoliticalpartiesinthelastgeneral election.

• Wewillbringforwardtheproposalsof theWrightCommitteeforreformtothe HouseofCommonsinfull–startingwith theproposedcommitteeformanagement ofbackbenchbusiness.AHouseBusiness Committee,toconsidergovernmentbusiness, willbeestablishedbythethirdyearofthe Parliament.

• Wewillreduceelectoralfraudbyspeeding uptheimplementationofindividualvoter registration.

• Wewillestablishacommissiontoconsider the‘WestLothianquestion’.

• Wewillpreventthepossiblemisuseof ParliamentaryprivilegebyMPsaccusedof seriouswrongdoing.

• Wewillcuttheperksandbureaucracy associatedwithParliament.

• WewillconsultwiththeIndependent ParliamentaryStandardsAuthorityonhow tomoveawayfromthegenerousfinal-salary pensionsystemforMPs.

• Wewillfund200all-postalprimariesover thisParliament,targetedatseatswhichhave notchangedhandsformanyyears.These fundswillbeallocatedtoallpoliticalparties withseatsinParliamentthattheytakeup,in proportiontotheirshareofthetotalvotein thelastgeneralelection.

• Wewillensurethatanypetitionthatsecures 100,000signatureswillbeeligibleforformal debateinParliament.Thepetitionwiththe mostsignatureswillenablemembersofthe publictotableabilleligibletobevotedonin Parliament.

• Wewillintroduceanew‘publicreadingstage’ forbillstogivethepublicanopportunityto commentonproposedlegislationonline,and adedicated‘publicreadingday’withinabill’s committeestagewherethosecommentswill bedebatedbythecommitteescrutinising the bill.

• Wewillimprovethecivilservice,andmake iteasiertorewardthebestcivilservantsand removetheleasteffective.

• WewillreformtheCivilService CompensationSchemetobringitintoline withpracticeintheprivatesector.

• WewillputalimitonthenumberonSpecial Advisers.

• Wewillintroduceextrasupportforpeople withdisabilitieswhowanttobecomeMPs, councillorsorotherelectedofficials.

• WewillopenupWhitehallrecruitmentby publishingcentralgovernmentjobvacancies online.

• WewillpublishdetailsofeveryUKproject thatreceivesover£25,000ofEUfunds.

• Wewillgiveresidentsthepowertoinstigate localreferendumsonanylocalissue.


• Wewillstopplanstoimposesupplementary businessratesonfirmsifamajorityofthe firmsaffecteddonotgivetheirconsent.

• Wewillgiveresidentsthepowertoveto excessivecounciltaxincreases.

• Wewillcontinuetopromotepeace,stability andeconomicprosperityinNorthernIreland, standingfirmlybehindtheagreements negotiatedandinstitutionstheyestablish. WewillworktobringNorthernIrelandback intothemainstreamofUKpolitics,including producingagovernmentpaperexamining potentialmechanismsforchangingthe corporationtaxrateinNorthernIreland.

• Wewillimplementtheproposalsofthe CalmanCommissionandintroducea referendumonfurtherWelshdevolution.

• Wewillreviewthecontrolanduseof accumulatedandfuturerevenuesfromthe FossilFuelLevyinScotland.

• Werecognisetheconcernsexpressedby theHolthamCommissiononthesystemof devolutionfunding.However,atthistime, theprioritymustbetoreducethedeficit andthereforeanychangetothesystem mustawaitthestabilisationofthepublic finances.Dependingontheoutcomeofthe forthcomingreferendum,wewillestablisha processsimilartotheCalmanCommission fortheWelshAssembly.Wewilltake forwardtheSustainableHomesLegislative CompetenceOrder.

• Wewillmaketherunningofgovernment moreefficientbyintroducingenhanced DepartmentalBoardswhichwillform collectiveoperationalleadershipof governmentdepartments.

25.PUBLICHEALTH TheGovernmentbelievesthatweneedactionto promotepublichealth,andencouragebehaviour changetohelppeoplelivehealthierlives.We needanambitiousstrategytopreventill-health whichharnessesinnovativetechniquestohelp peopletakeresponsibilityfortheirownhealth.

• Wewillgivelocalcommunitiesgreater controloverpublichealthbudgetswith paymentbytheoutcomestheyachievein improvingthehealthoflocalresidents.

• WewillgiveGPsgreaterincentivestotackle publichealthproblems.

• Wewillinvestigatewaysofimprovingaccess topreventativehealthcareforthosein disadvantagedareastohelptacklehealth inequalities.

• Wewillensuregreateraccesstotalking therapiestoreducelong-termcostsforthe NHS.

26.SCHOOLS TheGovernmentbelievesthatweneedto reformourschoolsystemtotackleeducational inequality,whichhaswidenedinrecentyears, andtogivegreaterpowerstoparentsandpupils tochooseagoodschool.Wewanttoensure highstandardsofdisciplineintheclassroom, robuststandardsandthehighestqualityteaching. Wealsobelievethatthestateshouldhelp parents,communitygroupsandotherscome togethertoimprovetheeducationsystemby startingnewschools.

• Wewillpromotethereformofschoolsin ordertoensurethatnewproviderscan enterthestateschoolsysteminresponseto parentaldemand;thatallschoolshavegreater freedomoverthecurriculum;andthatall schoolsareheldproperlytoaccount.

• Wewillfundasignificantpremiumfor disadvantagedpupilsfromoutsidetheschools budgetbyreductionsinspendingelsewhere.

• Wewillgiveparents,teachers,charitiesand localcommunitiesthechancetosetupnew


schools,aspartofourplanstoallownew providerstoenterthestateschoolsystemin responsetoparentaldemand.

• WewillsupportTeachFirst,createTeach NowtobuildontheGraduateTeacher Programme,andseekotherwaystoimprove thequalityoftheteachingprofession.

• Wewillreformtheexistingrigidnationalpay andconditionsrulestogiveschoolsgreater freedomstopaygoodteachersmoreanddeal withpoorperformance.

• Wewillhelpschoolstacklebullyinginschools, especiallyhomophobicbullying.

• Wewillsimplifytheregulationofstandardsin educationandtargetinspectiononareasof failure.

• Wewillgiveanonymitytoteachersaccused bypupilsandtakeothermeasurestoprotect againstfalseaccusations.

• Wewillseektoattractmoretopscienceand mathsgraduatestobeteachers.

• Wewillpublishperformancedataon educationalproviders,aswellaspastexam papers.

• Wewillcreatemoreflexibilityintheexams systemssothatstateschoolscanoffer qualificationsliketheIGCSE.

• Wewillreformleaguetablessothatschools areabletofocuson,anddemonstrate,the progressofchildrenofallabilities.

• Wewillgiveheadsandteachersthepowers theyneedtoensuredisciplineinthe classroomandpromotegoodbehaviour.

• Webelievethemostvulnerablechildren deservetheveryhighestqualityofcare. Wewillimprovediagnosticassessmentfor schoolchildren,preventtheunnecessary closureofspecialschools,andremovethebias towardsinclusion.

• Wewillimprovethequalityofvocational education,includingincreasingflexibilityfor 14–19yearoldsandcreatingnewTechnical Academiesaspartofourplanstodiversify schoolsprovision.

• Wewillkeepexternalassessment,butwill reviewhowKeyStage2testsoperatein future.

• WewillensurethatallnewAcademiesfollow aninclusiveadmissionspolicy.Wewillwork withfaithgroupstoenablemorefaithschools andfacilitateinclusiveadmissionspoliciesinas manyoftheseschoolsaspossible.

27.SOCIALACTION TheGovernmentbelievesthattheinnovation andenthusiasmofcivilsocietyisessential intacklingthesocial,economicandpolitical challengesthattheUKfacestoday.Wewill takeactiontosupportandencouragesocial responsibility,volunteeringandphilanthropy,and makeiteasierforpeopletocometogetherto improvetheircommunitiesandhelponeanother.

• Wewillsupportthecreationandexpansion ofmutuals,co-operatives,charitiesandsocial enterprises,andenablethesegroupstohave muchgreaterinvolvementintherunningof publicservices.

• Wewillgivepublicsectorworkersanew righttoformemployee-ownedco-operatives andbidtotakeovertheservicestheydeliver. Thiswillempowermillionsofpublicsector workerstobecometheirownbossandhelp themtodeliverbetterservices.

• Wewilltrainanewgenerationofcommunity organisersandsupportthecreationof neighbourhoodgroupsacrosstheUK, especiallyinthemostdeprivedareas.

• Wewilltakearangeofmeasuresto encouragecharitablegivingandphilanthropy.

• WewillintroduceNationalCitizenService. Theinitialflagshipprojectwillprovidea programmefor16yearoldstogivethema chancetodeveloptheskillsneededtobe activeandresponsiblecitizens,mixwith peoplefromdifferentbackgrounds,andstart gettinginvolvedintheircommunities.

• Wewillusefundsfromdormantbank accountstoestablisha‘BigSociety Bank’,whichwillprovidenewfinancefor


neighbourhoodgroups,charities,social enterprisesandothernon-governmental bodies.

• Wewilltakearangeofmeasuresto encouragevolunteeringandinvolvementin socialaction,includinglaunchinganationalday tocelebrateandencouragesocialaction,and makeregularcommunityserviceanelement ofcivilservicestaffappraisals.

28.SOCIALCAREAND DISABILITY

TheGovernmentbelievesthatpeopleneeding caredeservetobetreatedwithdignityand respect.Weunderstandtheurgencyof reformingthesystemofsocialcaretoprovide muchmorecontroltoindividualsandtheir carers,andtoeasethecostburdenthattheyand theirfamiliesface.

• Wewillestablishacommissiononlong-term care,toreportwithinayear.Thecommission willconsiderarangeofideas,includingboth avoluntaryinsuranceschemetoprotectthe assetsofthosewhogointoresidentialcare, andapartnershipschemeasproposedby DerekWanless.

• Wewillbreakdownbarriersbetween healthandsocialcarefundingtoincentivise preventativeaction.

• Wewillextendthegreaterroll-outof personalbudgetstogivepeopleandtheir carersmorecontrolandpurchasingpower.

• Wewillusedirectpaymentstocarersand bettercommunity-basedprovisiontoimprove accesstorespitecare.

• WewillreformAccesstoWork,sodisabled peoplecanapplyforjobswithfundingalready securedforanyadaptationsandequipment theywillneed.

29.TAXATION TheGovernmentbelievesthatthetaxsystem needstobereformedtomakeitmore competitive,simpler,greenerandfairer.Weneed totakeactiontoensurethatthetaxframework betterreflectsthevaluesofthisGovernment.

• Wewillincreasethepersonalallowance forincometaxtohelplowerandmiddle incomeearners.Wewillannounceinthe firstBudgetasubstantialincreaseinthe personalallowancefromApril2011,withthe benefitsfocusedonthosewithlowerand middleincomes.Thiswillbefundedwiththe moneythatwouldhavebeenusedtopayfor theincreaseinemployeeNationalInsurance thresholdsproposedbytheConservative Party,aswellasrevenuesfromincreases inCapitalGainsTaxratesfornon-business assetsasdescribedbelow.Theincreasein employerNationalInsurancethresholds proposedbytheConservativeswillgoahead inordertostoptheplannedjobstax.

• Wewillfurtherincreasethepersonal allowanceto£10,000,makingrealtermssteps eachyeartowardsmeetingthisasalonger-termpolicyobjective.Wewillprioritise thisoverothertaxcuts,includingcutsto InheritanceTax.

• Wewillalsoensurethatprovisionismade forLiberalDemocratMPstoabstainon budgetresolutionstointroducetransferable taxallowancesformarriedcoupleswithout prejudicetothecoalitionagreement.

• Wewillreformthetaxationofairtravelby switchingfromaper-passengertoaper-plane duty,andwillensurethataproportionofany increasedrevenuesovertimewillbeusedto helpfundincreasesinthepersonalallowance.

• Wewillseekwaysoftaxingnon-business capitalgainsatratessimilarorclosetothose appliedtoincome,withgenerousexemptions forentrepreneurialbusinessactivities.

• Wewillmakeeveryefforttotackletax avoidance,includingdetaileddevelopmentof LiberalDemocratproposals.


• Wewillincreasetheproportionoftax revenueaccountedforbyenvironmental taxes.

• WewilltakemeasurestofulfilourEUtreaty obligationsinregardtothetaxationof holidaylettingthatdonotpenaliseUK-based businesses.

• Wewillreviewthetaxationofnon-domiciled individuals.

30.TRANSPORT TheGovernmentbelievesthatamodern transportinfrastructureisessentialforadynamic andentrepreneurialeconomy,aswellasto improvewell-beingandqualityoflife.Weneed tomakethetransportsectorgreenerandmore sustainable,withtougheremissionstandardsand supportfornewtransporttechnologies.

• Wewillmandateanationalrecharging networkforelectricandplug-inhybrid vehicles.

• Wewillgrantlongerrailfranchisesinorderto giveoperatorstheincentivetoinvestinthe improvementspassengerswant–likebetter services,betterstations,longertrainsand betterrollingstock.

• Wewillreformthewaydecisionsaremade onwhichtransportprojectstoprioritise, sothatthebenefitsoflowcarbonproposals (includinglightrailschemes)arefully recognised.

• WewillmakeNetworkRailmoreaccountable toitscustomers.

• Wewillestablishahighspeedrailnetworkas partofourprogrammeofmeasurestofulfil ourjointambitionsforcreatingalowcarbon economy.Ourvisionisofatrulynationalhigh speedrailnetworkforthewholeofBritain. Givenfinancialconstraints,wewillhaveto achievethisinphases.

• WesupportCrossrailandfurther electrificationoftherailnetwork.

• Wewillturntherailregulatorintoapowerful passengerchampion.

• Wewillsupportsustainabletravelinitiatives, includingthepromotionofcyclingand walking,andwillencouragejointworking betweenbusoperatorsandlocalauthorities.

• Wearecommittedtofairpricingforrail travel.

• Wewillworktowardstheintroductionof anewsystemofHGVroaduserchargingto ensureafairerarrangementforUKhauliers.

• Wewillstopcentralgovernmentfundingfor newfixedspeedcamerasandswitchtomore effectivewaysofmakingourroadssafer, includingauthorising‘drugalyser’technology.

• Wewilltacklerogueprivatesectorwheel clampers.

31.UNIVERSITIESANDFURTHER EDUCATION

TheGovernmentbelievesthatouruniversities areessentialforbuildingastrongandinnovative economy.Wewilltakeactiontocreatemore collegeanduniversityplaces,aswellashelp tofosterstrongerlinksbetweenuniversities, collegesandindustries.

• Wewillseekwaystosupportthecreationof apprenticeships,internships,workpairings, andcollegeandworkplacetrainingplacesas partofourwiderprogrammetogetBritain working.

• Wewillsetcollegesfreefromdirectstate controlandabolishmanyofthefurther educationquangos.Publicfundingshouldbe fairandfollowthechoicesofstudents.

• WewillawaitLordBrowne’sfinalreportinto highereducationfunding,andwilljudgeits proposalsagainsttheneedto:

– increasesocialmobility;

– takeintoaccounttheimpactonstudent debt;

– ensureaproperlyfundeduniversitysector;

– improvethequalityofteaching;

– advancescholarship;and


– attractahigherproportionofstudents fromdisadvantagedbackgrounds.

• IftheresponseoftheGovernmentto LordBrowne’sreportisonethatLiberal Democratscannotaccept,thenarrangements willbemadetoenableLiberalDemocratMPs toabstaininanyvote.

• Wewillreviewsupportforpart-timestudents intermsofloansandfees.

• Wewillpublishmoreinformationabout thecosts,graduateearningsandstudent satisfactionofdifferentuniversitycourses.

• Wewillensurethatpublicfunding mechanismsforuniversityresearchsafeguard itsacademicintegrity.

Thedeficitreductionprogrammetakesprecedenceover anyoftheothermeasuresinthisagreement,andthespeed ofimplementationofanymeasuresthathaveacosttothe publicfinanceswilldependondecisionstobemadeinthe ComprehensiveSpendingReview.

TheGovernmentfullysupportsthedevolutionofpowers toNorthernIreland,ScotlandandWales.Asaresultof devolution,manydecisionsmadebyUKMinistersorin theWestminsterParliamentnowapplytoEnglandonly. The NorthernIrelandExecutive,theScottishExecutiveand theWelsh AssemblyGovernmentmaketheirownpolicyon theirdevolved issues.Thisdocumentthereforesetsoutthe agreedprioritiesfortheCoalitionGovernment inWestminster.

CabinetOffice 22Whitehall LondonSW1A2WH

Publicationdate:May2010

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