Conservative manifesto 2014: The key points

The Prime Minister details the Conservative manifesto

Joe Murphy @JoeMurphyLondon|Political Editor

14 April 2015

These are the key points of the Conservative party's general election manifesto, announced by the Prime Minister at a speech in Swindon today.

Tax

Cuts for 30 million

Some 30 million low and middle earners would get tax cuts, with a million taken out of income tax altogether. The tax-free personal allowance would rise to £12,500 by 2020, and thereafter in line with the Minimum Wage, so that people working 30 hours a week on the hourly rate never pay income tax. The 40p rate threshold would rise to £50,000 by 2020.

Childcare

30 hours a week free

Working parents of three- and four-year-olds will get 30 hours’ free childcare a week from 2017, double the current amount. Tories say it would save them £2,500 a year on average at a cost of just under £350 million a year. Funding will come from reducing tax relief on pension contributions for high earners on more than £150,000.

Transport

Crossrail 2 pledge

A pledge to push forward with Crossrail 2 through London connect- ing Surrey and Hertfordshire, and to “freeze” season tickets and other regulated fares by letting them rise by no more than inflation. Train firms would have to improve compensation when trains are “more than a few minutes late”, and have part-time season tickets.

Strikes

Safeguard for capital

Action to stop “Londoners being held to ransom”. Industrial action in essential public services, including transport, fire crews, health and education would need backing by at least 40 per cent of those entitled to take part in ballots, and a majority of those who turn out to vote. Action will also be taken to stop the intimidation of non-striking workers.

Pollution

'Zero emission cars'

With London often blighted by air pollution, the Tories want almost every car and van to be zero emission by 2050, with £500 million invested over five years to achieve it. But the timescale may not satisfy environmentalists. The party also wants to double the number of cycle journeys, with £200 million to make cycling safer and reduce deaths.

Right to Buy

1.3m to get discount

Plan to grant 1.3 million housing association tenants the right to buy homes at discounted rates. Town halls will have to sell off their most expen- sive housing when it falls vacant, with the aim of raising £4.5 billion a year which would partly be used to replace the social stock on a one-to-one basis. Some 15,000 homes are expected to become available each year.