Coalition Programme

The Coalition:our programme for government

TheCoalition:ourprogrammeforgovernment 3

Freedom

Fairness

Responsibility

4 TheCoalition:ourprogrammeforgovernment


CONTENTS1. Banking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

2. Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

3. CivilLiberties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

4. CommunitiesandLocalGovernment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

5. ConsumerProtection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

6. CrimeandPolicing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

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

8. Defence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

9. DeficitReduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

10. EnergyandClimateChange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

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

12. Equalities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

13. Europe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

14. FamiliesandChildren . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

15. ForeignAffairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

16. GovernmentTransparency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

17. Immigration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

18. InternationalDevelopment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

19. JobsandWelfare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

20. Justice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

21. NationalSecurity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

22.NHS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

23. PensionsandOlderPeople . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

24. PoliticalReform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

25. PublicHealth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

26. Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

27. SocialAction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

28. SocialCareandDisability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

29. Taxation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

30. Transport. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

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



FOREWORDBy David Cameron and Nick Clegg

ThisisanhistoricdocumentinBritishpolitics:thefirsttimeinoverhalfacenturytwopartieshavecometogethertoputforwardaprogrammeforpartnershipgovernment.

Asourpartieshaveworkedtogetherithasbecomeincreasinglycleartousthat,althoughtherearedifferences,thereisalsocommonground.Weshareaconvictionthatthedaysofbiggovernmentareover;thatcentralisationandtop-downcontrolhaveprovedafailure.WebelievethatthetimehascometodispersepowermorewidelyinBritaintoday;torecognisethatwewillonlymakeprogressifwehelppeopletocometogethertomakelifebetter.Inshort,itisourambitiontodistributepowerandopportunitytopeopleratherthanhoardingauthoritywithingovernment.Thatway,wecanbuildthefree,fairandresponsiblesocietywewanttosee.

WeareagreedthatthefirstdutyofgovernmentistosafeguardournationalsecurityandsupportourtroopsinAfghanistanandelsewhere–andwewillfulfilthatduty.Wearealsoagreedthatthemosturgenttaskfacingthiscoalitionistotackleourrecorddebts,becausewithoutsoundfinances,noneofourambitionswillbedeliverable.Difficultdecisionswillhavetobetakeninthemonthsandyearsahead,butwewillensurethatfairnessisattheheartofthosedecisionssothatallthosemostinneedareprotected.Workingtogether,weareconfidentthatwecantakethecountrythroughdifficulttimestobetterdaysahead.

Tacklingthedeficitisessential,butitisnotwhatwecameintopoliticstoachieve.WestoodforParliament–andfortheleadershipofourparties–withvisionsofaBritainbetterineveryway.Andwehavefoundinthiscoalitionthatourvisionsarenotcompromisedbyworkingtogether;theyarestrengthenedandenhanced.Thatiswhythiscoalitionhasthepotentialforera-changing,convention-challenging,radicalreform.

Forexample,webothwanttobuildaneweconomyfromtherubbleoftheold.Wewillsupportsustainablegrowthandenterprise,balancedacrossallregionsandallindustries,andpromotethegreenindustriesthataresoessentialforourfuture.Thisdocumentshowshow,withradicalplanstoreformourbrokenbankingsystemandnewincentivesforgreengrowth.

WebothwantaBritainwheresocialmobilityisunlocked;whereeveryone,regardlessofbackground,hasthechancetoriseashighastheirtalentsandambitionallowthem.Topavetheway,wehavebothagreedtosweepingreformofwelfare,taxesand,mostofall,ourschools–withabreakingopenofthestatemonopolyandextramoneyfollowingthepoorestpupilssothatthey,atlast,gettogotothebestschools,nottheworst.

WebothwantaBritainwhereourpoliticalsystemislookedatwithadmiration,notanger.WehaveasharedambitiontocleanupWestminsterandadeterminationtooverseearadicalredistributionofpowerawayfromWestminsterandWhitehalltocouncils,communitiesandhomesacrossthenation.Whereverpossible,wewantpeopletocalltheshotsoverthedecisionsthataffecttheirlives.

Andwearebothcommittedtoturningoldthinkingonitsheadanddevelopingnewapproachestogovernment.Foryears,politicianscouldarguethatbecausetheyheldalltheinformation,theyneededmorepower.Buttoday,technologicalinnovationhas–withastonishingspeed–developedtheopportunitytospreadinformationanddecentralisepowerinawaywehaveneverseenbefore.Sowewillextendtransparencytoeveryareaofpubliclife.Similarly,therehasbeentheassumptionthatcentralgovernmentcanonlychangepeople’sbehaviourthroughrulesandregulations.Ourgovernmentwillbeamuchsmarterone,shunningthebureaucraticleversofthepastandfinding


DavidCameronPrimeMinister

NickCleggDeputyPrimeMinister

Threeweeksagowecouldneverhavepredictedthepublicationofthisdocument.Aftertheelection,ofcourse,therewastheoptionofminoritygovernment–butwewereuninspiredbyit.Instead,therewastheoptionofacoalitioninthenationalinterest–andweseizedit.Whenwesetoffonthisjourneyweweretwopartieswithsomepoliciesincommonandashareddesiretoworkinthenationalinterest.Wearriveatthisprogrammeforgovernmentastrong,progressivecoalitioninspiredbythevaluesoffreedom,fairnessandresponsibility.Thisprogrammeisforfiveyearsofpartnershipgovernmentdrivenbythosevalues.Webelievethatitcandeliverradical,reforminggovernment,astrongersociety,asmallerstate,andpowerandresponsibilityinthehandsofeverycitizen.Greatchangeandrealprogresslieahead.

intelligentwaystoencourage,supportandenablepeopletomakebetterchoicesforthemselves.

Ineverypartofthisagreement,wehavegonefurtherthansimplyadoptingthosepolicieswherewepreviouslyoverlapped.Wehavefoundthatacombinationofourparties’bestideasandattitudeshasproducedaprogrammeforgovernmentthatismoreradicalandcomprehensivethanourindividualmanifestos.

Forexample,whenyoutakeConservativeplanstostrengthenfamiliesandencouragesocialresponsibility,andaddtothemtheLiberalDemocratpassionforprotectingourcivillibertiesandstoppingtherelentlessincursionofthestateintothelivesofindividuals,youcreateaBigSocietymatchedbybigcitizens.Thisoffersthepotentialtocompletelyrecasttherelationshipbetweenpeopleandthestate:citizensempowered;individualopportunityextended;communitiescomingtogethertomakelivesbetter.Webelievethatthecombinationofourideaswillhelpustocreateamuchstrongersociety:onewherethosewhocan,do;andthosewhocannot,wealwayshelp.

Andinthecrucialareaofpublicservicereform,wehavefoundthatLiberalDemocratandConservativeideasarestrongercombined.Forexample,intheNHS,takeConservativethinkingonmarkets,choiceandcompetitionandaddtoittheLiberalDemocratbeliefinadvancingdemocracyatamuchmorelocallevel,andyouhaveaunitedvisionfortheNHSthatistrulyradical:GPswithauthorityovercommissioning;patientswithmuchmorecontrol;electionsforyourlocalNHShealthboard.Together,ourideaswillbringanemphaticendtothebureaucracy,top-downcontrolandcentralisationthathassodiminishedourNHS.


• Wewillreformtheregulatorysystemtoavoidarepeatofthefinancialcrisis.WewillbringforwardproposalstogivetheBankofEnglandcontrolofmacro-prudentialregulationandoversightofmicro-prudentialregulation.

• WeruleoutjoiningorpreparingtojointheEuropeanSingleCurrencyforthedurationofthisagreement.

• WewillworkwiththeBankofEnglandtoinvestigatehowtheprocessofincludinghousingcostsintheCPImeasureofinflationcanbeaccelerated.

• WewillcreateBritain’sfirstfreenationalfinancialadviceservice,whichwillbefundedinfullfromanewsocialresponsibilitylevyonthefinancialservicessector.

• Wetakewhitecollarcrimeasseriouslyasothercrime,sowewillcreateasingleagencytotakeontheworkoftacklingseriouseconomiccrimethatiscurrentlydoneby,amongothers,theSeriousFraudOffice,FinancialServicesAuthorityandOfficeofFairTrading.

2. BUSINESSTheGovernmentbelievesthatbusinessisthedriverofeconomicgrowthandinnovation,andthatweneedtotakeurgentactiontoboostenterprise,supportgreengrowthandbuildanewandmoreresponsibleeconomicmodel.Wewanttocreateafairerandmorebalancedeconomy,wherewearenotsodependentonanarrowrangeofeconomicsectors,andwherenewbusinessesandeconomicopportunitiesaremoreevenlysharedbetweenregionsandindustries.

• Wewillcutredtapebyintroducinga‘one-in,one-out’rulewherebynonewregulationisbroughtinwithoutotherregulationbeingcutbyagreateramount.

• Wewillendthecultureof‘tick-box’regulation,andinsteadtargetinspectionsonhigh-riskorganisationsthroughco-regulationandimprovingprofessionalstandards.

1. BANKINGInrecentyears,wehaveseenamassivefinancialmeltdownduetoover-lending,over-borrowingandpoorregulation.TheGovernmentbelievesthatthecurrentsystemoffinancialregulationisfundamentallyflawedandneedstobereplacedwithaframeworkthatpromotesresponsibleandsustainablebanking,whereregulatorshavegreaterpowerstocurbunsustainablelendingpracticesandwetakeactiontopromotemorecompetitioninthebankingsector.Inaddition,werecognisethatmuchmoreneedstobedonetoprotecttaxpayersfromfinancialmalpracticeandtohelpthepublicmanagetheirowndebts.

• Wewillreformthebankingsystemtoavoidarepeatofthefinancialcrisis,topromoteacompetitiveeconomy,tosustaintherecoveryandtoprotectandsustainjobs.

• Wewillintroduceabankinglevyandseekadetailedagreementonimplementation.

• Wewillbringforwarddetailedproposalsforrobustactiontotackleunacceptablebonusesinthefinancialservicessector;indevelopingtheseproposals,wewillensuretheyareeffectiveinreducingrisk.

• Wewantthebankingsystemtoservebusiness,nottheotherwayround.Wewillbringforwarddetailedproposalstofosterdiversityinfinancialservices,promotemutualsandcreateamorecompetitivebankingindustry.

• WewilldevelopeffectiveproposalstoensuretheflowofcredittoviableSMEs.Thiswillincludeconsiderationofbothamajorloanguaranteeschemeandtheuseofnetlendingtargetsforthenationalisedbanks.

• Wewilltakestepstoreducesystemicriskinthebankingsystemandwillestablishanindependentcommissiontoinvestigatethecomplexissueofseparatingretailandinvestmentbankinginasustainableway;whilerecognisingthatthiswilltaketimetogetright,thecommissionwillbegivenaninitialtimeframeofoneyeartoreport.


• Wewillendthebanonsocialtenantsstartingbusinessesintheirownhomes.

• Wewillpromotesmallbusinessprocurement,inparticularbyintroducinganaspirationthat25%ofgovernmentcontractsshouldbeawardedtosmallandmedium-sizedbusinessesandbypublishinggovernmenttendersinfullonlineandfreeofcharge.

• WewillconsidertheimplementationoftheDysonReviewtomaketheUKtheleadinghi-techexporterinEurope,andrefocustheresearchanddevelopmenttaxcreditonhi-techcompanies,smallfirmsandstart-ups.

• Wewillreviewtherangeoffactorsthatcanbeconsideredbyregulatorswhentakeoversareproposed.

• WewillreinstateanOperatingandFinancialReviewtoensurethatdirectors’socialandenvironmentaldutieshavetobecoveredincompanyreporting,andinvestigatefurtherwaysofimprovingcorporateaccountabilityandtransparency.

• WewillensurethatPostOfficesareallowedtoofferawiderangeofservicesinordertosustainthenetwork,andwewilllookatthecasefordevelopingnewsourcesofrevenue,suchasthecreationofaPostOfficeBank.

• Wewillendtheso-called‘gold-plating’ofEUrules,sothatBritishbusinessesarenotdisadvantagedrelativetotheirEuropeancompetitors.

• WewillsupportthecreationofLocalEnterprisePartnerships–jointlocalauthority-businessbodiesbroughtforwardbylocalauthoritiesthemselvestopromotelocaleconomicdevelopment–toreplaceRegionalDevelopmentAgencies(RDAs).ThesemaytaketheformoftheexistingRDAsinareaswheretheyarepopular.

• WewilltakestepstoimprovethecompetitivenessoftheUKtourismindustry,recognisingtheimportantpartitplaysinournationaleconomy.

• Wewillimpose‘sunsetclauses’onregulationsandregulatorstoensurethattheneedforeachregulationisregularlyreviewed.

• WewillreviewIR35,aspartofawholesalereviewofallsmallbusinesstaxation,andseektoreplaceitwithsimplermeasuresthatpreventtaxavoidancebutdonotplaceundueadministrativeburdensoruncertaintyontheself-employed,orrestrictlabourmarketflexibility.

• Wewillfindapracticalwaytomakesmallbusinessratereliefautomatic.

• Wewillreformthecorporatetaxsystembysimplifyingreliefsandallowances,andtacklingavoidance,inordertoreduceheadlinerates.OuraimistocreatethemostcompetitivecorporatetaxregimeintheG20,whileprotectingmanufacturingindustries.

• WewillseektoensureaninjectionofprivatecapitalintoRoyalMail,includingopportunitiesforemployeeownership.WewillretainPostOfficeLtdinpublicownership.

• Wewillseektoensurealevelplayingfieldbetweensmallandlargeretailersbyenablingcouncilstotakecompetitionissuesintoaccountwhendrawinguptheirlocalplanstoshapethedirectionandtypeofnewretaildevelopment.

• Wewillgivethepublictheopportunitytochallengetheworstregulations.

• Wewillreviewemploymentandworkplacelaws,foremployersandemployees,toensuretheymaximiseflexibilityforbothpartieswhileprotectingfairnessandprovidingthecompetitiveenvironmentrequiredforenterprisetothrive.

• Wewillmakeiteasierforpeopletosetupnewenterprisesbycuttingthetimeittakestostartanewbusiness.OurambitionistomaketheUKoneofthefastestcountriesintheworldtostartupanewbusiness.Wewillreducethenumberofformsneededtoregisteranewbusiness,andmovetowardsa‘one-click’registrationmodel.


tobeenshrinedinBritishlaw,andprotectsandextendsBritishliberties.Wewillseektopromoteabetterunderstandingofthetruescopeoftheseobligationsandliberties.

4. COMMUNITIESANDLOCALGOVERNMENT

TheGovernmentbelievesthatitistimeforafundamentalshiftofpowerfromWestminstertopeople.Wewillpromotedecentralisationanddemocraticengagement,andwewillendtheeraoftop-downgovernmentbygivingnewpowerstolocalcouncils,communities,neighbourhoodsandindividuals.

• Wewillpromotetheradicaldevolutionofpowerandgreaterfinancialautonomytolocalgovernmentandcommunitygroups.Thiswillincludeareviewoflocalgovernmentfinance.

• WewillrapidlyabolishRegionalSpatialStrategiesandreturndecision-makingpowersonhousingandplanningtolocalcouncils,includinggivingcouncilsnewpowerstostop‘gardengrabbing’.

• Inthelongerterm,wewillradicallyreformtheplanningsystemtogiveneighbourhoodsfarmoreabilitytodeterminetheshapeoftheplacesinwhichtheirinhabitantslive,basedontheprinciplessetoutintheConservativePartypublicationOpen Source Planning.

• WewillabolishtheunelectedInfrastructurePlanningCommissionandreplaceitwithanefficientanddemocraticallyaccountablesystemthatprovidesafast-trackprocessformajorinfrastructureprojects.

• WewillpublishandpresenttoParliamentasimpleandconsolidatednationalplanningframeworkcoveringallformsofdevelopmentandsettingoutnationaleconomic,environmentalandsocialpriorities.

• WewillmaintaintheGreenBelt,SitesofSpecialScientificInterest(SSSIs)andotherenvironmentalprotections,andcreateanewdesignation–similartoSSSIs–toprotectgreenareasofparticularimportancetolocalcommunities.

3. CIVILLIBERTIESWewillbestrongindefenceoffreedom.TheGovernmentbelievesthattheBritishstatehasbecometooauthoritarian,andthatoverthepastdecadeithasabusedanderodedfundamentalhumanfreedomsandhistoriccivilliberties.Weneedtorestoretherightsofindividualsinthefaceofencroachingstatepower,inkeepingwithBritain’straditionoffreedomandfairness.

• Wewillimplementafullprogrammeofmeasurestoreversethesubstantialerosionofcivillibertiesandrollbackstateintrusion.

• WewillintroduceaFreedomBill.

• WewillscraptheIDcardscheme,theNationalIdentityregisterandtheContactPointdatabase,andhaltthenextgenerationofbiometricpassports.

• Wewilloutlawthefinger-printingofchildrenatschoolwithoutparentalpermission.

• WewillextendthescopeoftheFreedomofInformationActtoprovidegreatertransparency.

• WewilladopttheprotectionsoftheScottishmodelfortheDNAdatabase.

• Wewillprotecthistoricfreedomsthroughthedefenceoftrialbyjury.

• Wewillrestorerightstonon-violentprotest.

• Wewillreviewlibellawstoprotectfreedomofspeech.

• Wewillintroducesafeguardsagainstthemisuseofanti-terrorismlegislation.

• WewillfurtherregulateCCTV.

• Wewillendthestorageofinternetandemailrecordswithoutgoodreason.

• Wewillintroduceanewmechanismtopreventtheproliferationofunnecessarynewcriminaloffences.

• WewillestablishaCommissiontoinvestigatethecreationofaBritishBillofRightsthatincorporatesandbuildsonallourobligationsundertheEuropeanConventiononHumanRights,ensuresthattheserightscontinue


• Wewillimposetougherrulestostopunfaircompetitionbylocalauthoritynewspapers.

• Wewillintroducenewpowerstohelpcommunitiessavelocalfacilitiesandservicesthreatenedwithclosure,andgivecommunitiestherighttobidtotakeoverlocalstate-runservices.

• WewillimplementtheSustainableCommunitiesAct,sothatcitizensknowhowtaxpayers’moneyisspentintheirareaandhaveagreatersayoverhowitisspent.

• WewillcutlocalgovernmentinspectionandabolishtheComprehensiveAreaAssessment.

• Wewillrequirecontinuousimprovementstotheenergyefficiencyofnewhousing.

• Wewillprovideincentivesforlocalauthoritiestodeliversustainabledevelopment,includingfornewhomesandbusinesses.

• Wewillreviewtheeffectivenessoftheraisingofthestampdutythresholdforfirst-timebuyers.

• Wewillgivecouncillorsthepowertovoteonlargesalarypackagesforunelectedcouncilofficials.

5. CONSUMERPROTECTIONTheGovernmentbelievesthatactionisneededtoprotectconsumers,particularlythemostvulnerable,andtopromotegreatercompetitionacrosstheeconomy.Weneedtopromotemoreresponsiblecorporateandconsumerbehaviourthroughgreatertransparencyandbyharnessingtheinsightsfrombehaviouraleconomicsandsocialpsychology.

• Wewillgiveregulatorsnewpowerstodefineandbanexcessiveinterestratesoncreditandstorecards;andwewillintroduceaseven-daycooling-offperiodforstorecards.

• Wewillobligecreditcardcompaniestoprovidebetterinformationtotheircustomersinauniformelectronicformatthatwillallowconsumerstofindoutwhethertheyarereceivingthebestdeal.

• WewillabolishtheGovernmentOfficeforLondonandconsiderthecaseforabolishingtheremainingGovernmentOffices.

• Wewillprovidemoreprotectionagainstaggressivebailiffsandunreasonablechargingorders,ensurethatcourtshavethepowertoinsistthatrepossessionisalwaysalastresort,andbanordersforsaleonunsecureddebtsoflessthan£25,000.

• Wewillexplorearangeofmeasurestobringemptyhomesintouse.

• Wewillpromotesharedownershipschemesandhelpsocialtenantsandotherstoownorpart-owntheirhome.

• Wewillpromote‘HomeontheFarm’schemesthatencouragefarmerstoconvertexistingbuildingsintoaffordablehousing.

• Wewillcreatenewtruststhatwillmakeitsimplerforcommunitiestoprovidehomesforlocalpeople.

• Wewillphaseoutthering-fencingofgrantstolocalgovernmentandreviewtheunfairHousingRevenueAccount.

• WewillfreezeCouncilTaxinEnglandforatleastoneyear,andseektofreezeitforafurtheryear,inpartnershipwithlocalauthorities.

• Wewillcreatedirectlyelectedmayorsinthe12largestEnglishcities,subjecttoconfirmatoryreferendumsandfullscrutinyby electedcouncillors.

• Wewillgivecouncilsageneralpowerofcompetence.

• WewillbantheuseofpowersintheRegulationofInvestigatoryPowersAct(RIPA)bycouncils,unlesstheyaresignedoffbyamagistrateandrequiredforstoppingseriouscrime.

• Wewillallowcouncilstoreturntothecommitteesystem,shouldtheywishto.

• WewillabolishtheStandardsBoardregime.

• WewillstoptherestructuringofcouncilsinNorfolk,SuffolkandDevon,andstopplanstoforcetheregionalisationofthefireservice.


• WewillseektospreadinformationonwhichpolicingtechniquesandsentencesaremosteffectiveatcuttingcrimeacrosstheCriminalJusticeSystem.

• Wewillhaveafullreviewofthetermsandconditionsforpoliceofficeremployment.

• Wewillintroducemeasurestomakethepolicemoreaccountablethroughoversightbyadirectlyelectedindividual,whowillbesubjecttostrictchecksandbalancesbylocallyelectedrepresentatives.

• Wewillobligethepolicetopublishdetailedlocalcrimedatastatisticseverymonth,sothepubliccangetproperinformationaboutcrimeintheirneighbourhoodsandholdthepolicetoaccountfortheirperformance.

• Wewillrequirepoliceforcestoholdregular‘beatmeetings’sothatresidentscanholdthemtoaccount.

• Wewillmakehospitalssharenon-confidentialinformationwiththepolicesotheyknowwheregunandknifecrimeishappeningandcantargetstop-and-searchingunandknifecrimehotspots.

• Wewillgivepeoplegreaterlegalprotectiontopreventcrimeandapprehendcriminals.

• Wewillensurethatpeoplehavetheprotectionthattheyneedwhentheydefendthemselvesagainstintruders.

• Wewillbanthesaleofalcoholbelowcostprice.

• Wewillreviewalcoholtaxationandpricingtoensureittacklesbingedrinkingwithoutunfairlypenalisingresponsibledrinkers,pubsandimportantlocalindustries.

• WewilloverhaultheLicensingActtogivelocalauthoritiesandthepolicemuchstrongerpowerstoremovelicencesfrom,orrefusetograntlicencesto,anypremisesthatarecausingproblems.

• Wewillallowcouncilsandthepolicetoshutdownpermanentlyanyshoporbarfoundtobepersistentlysellingalcoholtochildren.

• Wewillintroducestrongerconsumerprotections,includingmeasurestoendunfairbankandfinancialtransactioncharges.

• Wewilltakeforwardmeasurestoenhancecustomerserviceintheprivateandpublicsectors.

• Wewillintroduce,asafirststep,anOmbudsmanintheOfficeofFairTradingwhocanproactivelyenforcetheGrocerySupplyCodeofPracticeandcurbabusesofpower,whichundermineourfarmersandactagainstthelong-terminterestofconsumers.

• Wewillintroducehonestyinfoodlabellingsothatconsumerscanbeconfidentaboutwheretheirfoodcomesfromanditsenvironmentalimpact.

• Wewillincreasehouseholds’controlovertheirenergycostsbyensuringthatenergybillsprovideinformationonhowtomovetothecheapesttariffofferedbytheirsupplier,andhoweachhousehold’senergyusagecomparestosimilarhouseholds.

• WewillgivePostOfficeCardaccountholdersthechancetobenefitfromdirectdebitdiscountsandensurethatsocialtariffsofferaccesstothebestpricesavailable.

• Wewillseektoextendprotectionandsupportto‘off-grid’energyconsumers.

6. CRIMEANDPOLICINGTheGovernmentbelievesthatweneedradicalactiontoreformourcriminaljusticesystem.WeneedpoliceforcesthathavegreaterfreedomfromMinisterialcontrolandarebetterabletodealwiththecrimeandanti-socialbehaviourthatblightspeople’slives,butwhicharemuchmoreaccountabletothepublictheyserve.

• Wewillreducetime-wastingbureaucracythathamperspoliceoperations,andintroducebettertechnologytomakepolicingmoreeffectivewhilesavingtaxpayers’money.

• Wewillamendthehealthandsafetylawsthatstandinthewayofcommonsensepolicing.


• WewillworkwiththeMayorofLondontoensureasafeandsuccessfulOlympicandParalympicGamesinLondonin2012,andurgentlyformplanstodeliveragenuineandlastinglegacy.

• Wewillexaminethecaseformovingtoa‘grossprofitstax’systemfortheNationalLottery,andreformtheNationalLotterysothatmoremoneygoesintosport,theartsandheritage.

• WewillstopwastefulspendingbyNationalLotterydistributorsbybanninglobbyingactivitiesandrestrictingadministrationcoststo5%oftotalincome.

• Wewillusecashindormantbettingaccountstoimprovelocalsportsfacilitiesandsupportsportsclubs.

• Wewillencouragethereformoffootballgovernancerulestosupporttheco-operativeownershipoffootballclubsbysupporters.

• WewillsupportthecreationofanannualOlympic-styleschoolssporteventtoencouragecompetitivesportinschools,andwewillseektoprotectschoolplayingfields.

• Wewillcutredtapetoencouragetheperformanceofmorelivemusic.

• Wewillintroducemeasurestoensuretherapidroll-outofsuperfastbroadbandacrossthecountry.WewillensurethatBTandotherinfrastructureprovidersallowtheuseoftheirassetstodeliversuchbroadband,andwewillseektointroducesuperfastbroadbandinremoteareasatthesametimeasinmorepopulatedareas.Ifnecessary,wewillconsiderusingthepartoftheTVlicencefeethatissupportingthedigitalswitchovertofundbroadbandinareasthatthemarketalonewillnotreach.

• Wewilldoublethemaximumfineforunder-agealcoholsalesto£20,000.

• Wewillpermitlocalcouncilstochargemoreforlate-nightlicencestopayforadditionalpolicing.

• Wewillpromotebetterrecordingofhatecrimesagainstdisabled,homosexualandtransgenderpeople,whicharefrequentlynotcentrallyrecorded.

• Wewillintroduceasystemoftemporarybansonnew‘legalhighs’whilehealthissuesareconsideredbyindependentexperts.WewillnotpermanentlybanasubstancewithoutreceivingfulladvicefromtheAdvisoryCouncilontheMisuseofDrugs.

• WewillreviewtheoperationoftheExtraditionAct–andtheUS/UKextraditiontreaty–tomakesureitiseven-handed.

7. CULTURE,OLYMPICS,MEDIAANDSPORT

TheGovernmentbelievesthatavibrantcultural,mediaandsportingsectoriscrucialforourwell-beingandqualityoflife.Weneedtopromoteexcellenceinthesefields,withgovernmentfundingusedwhereappropriatetoencouragephilanthropicandcorporateinvestment.

• WewillmaintaintheindependenceoftheBBC,andgivetheNationalAuditOfficefullaccesstotheBBC’saccountstoensuretransparency.

• Wewillenablepartnershipsbetweenlocalnewspapers,radioandtelevisionstationstopromoteastronganddiverselocalmediaindustry.

• Wewillmaintainfreeentrytonationalmuseumsandgalleries,andgivenationalmuseumsgreaterfreedoms.

• WewillworkwiththeScottishGovernmenttodeliverasuccessfulCommonwealthGamesinGlasgowin2014,andensurethatthe2013RugbyLeagueandthe2015RugbyUnionWorldCupsaresuccessful.WewillstronglysupporttheEngland2018WorldCupbid.


• WewilldoubletheoperationalallowanceforArmedForcespersonnelservinginAfghanistan,andincludeArmedForcespayinourplansforafairpayreview.

• Wewillensurethatinjuredpersonnelaretreatedindedicatedmilitarywards.

• WewilllookatwhetherthereisscopetorefurbishArmedForces’accommodationfromefficiencieswithintheMinistryofDefence.

• Wewillsupportdefencejobsthroughexportsthatareusedforlegitimatepurposes,notinternalrepression,andwillworkforafullinternationalbanonclustermunitions.

9. DEFICITREDUCTIONTheGovernmentbelievesthatitisthemostvulnerablewhoaremostatriskfromthedebtcrisis,andthatitisdeeplyunfairthattheGovernmentcouldhavetospendmoreondebtinterestpaymentsthanonschools.Soweneedimmediateactiontotacklethedeficitinafairandresponsibleway,ensurethattaxpayers’moneyisspentresponsibly,andgetthepublicfinancesbackontrack.

• Werecognisethatdeficitreduction,andcontinuingtoensureeconomicrecovery,isthemosturgentissuefacingBritain.

• WewillsignificantlyacceleratethereductionofthestructuraldeficitoverthecourseofaParliament,withthemainburdenofdeficitreductionbornebyreducedspendingratherthanincreasedtaxes.

• Wewillintroducearrangementsthatwillprotectthoseonlowincomesfromtheeffectofpublicsectorpayconstraintandotherspendingconstraints.

• Wewillprotectjobsbystoppingtheproposedjobstax.

• Wewillsetoutaplanfordeficitreductioninanemergencybudget.WehavecreatedanindependentOfficeforBudgetResponsibilitytomakenewforecastsofgrowthandborrowingforthisemergencybudget.

8. DEFENCETheGovernmentbelievesthatweneedtotakeactiontosafeguardournationalsecurityathomeandabroad.WealsorecognisethatweneedtodomuchmoretoensurethatourArmedForceshavethesupporttheyneed,andthatveteransandtheirfamiliesaretreatedwiththedignitythattheydeserve.

• WewillmaintainBritain’snucleardeterrent,andhaveagreedthattherenewalofTridentshouldbescrutinisedtoensurevalueformoney.LiberalDemocratswillcontinuetomakethecaseforalternatives.WewillimmediatelyplayastrongroleintheNuclearNon-ProliferationTreatyReviewConference,andpressforcontinuedprogressonmultilateraldisarmament.

• WewillaimtoreduceMinistryofDefencerunningcostsbyatleast25%.

• WewillworktorebuildtheMilitaryCovenantby:

– ensuringthatServicepersonnel’srestandrecuperationleavecanbemaximised;

– changingtherulessothatServicepersonnelonlyhavetoregisteronceontheServiceregister;

– exploringthepotentialforincludingServicechildrenaspartofourproposalsforapupilpremium;

– providinguniversityandfurthereducationscholarshipsforthechildrenofServicemenandwomenwhohavebeenkilledonactivedutysince1990;

– providingsupportforex-Servicepersonneltostudyatuniversity,

– creatinganewprogramme,‘TroopsforTeachers’,torecruitex-Servicepersonnelintotheteachingprofession;

– providingextrasupportforveteranmentalhealthneeds;and

– reviewingtherulesgoverningtheawardingofmedals.


• Wewillestablishafullsystemoffeed-intariffsinelectricity–aswellasthemaintenanceofbandedRenewablesObligationCertificates.

• Wewillintroducemeasurestopromoteahugeincreaseinenergyfromwastethroughanaerobicdigestion.

• Wewillcreateagreeninvestmentbank.

• WewillretainenergyperformancecertificateswhilescrappingHIPs.

• Wewillintroducemeasurestoencouragemarineenergy.

• Wewillestablishanemissionsperformancestandardthatwillpreventcoal-firedpowerstationsbeingbuiltunlesstheyareequippedwithsufficientcarboncaptureandstoragetomeettheemissionsperformancestandard.

• WewillcancelthethirdrunwayatHeathrow.

• WewillrefusepermissionforadditionalrunwaysatGatwickandStansted.

• WewillreplaceAirPassengerDutywithaper-flightduty.

• Wewillintroduceafloorpriceforcarbon,andmakeeffortstopersuadetheEUtomovetowardsfullauctioningofETSpermits.

• Throughour‘GreenDeal’,wewillencouragehomeenergyefficiencyimprovementspaidforbysavingsfromenergybills.Wewillalsotakemeasurestoimproveenergyefficiencyinbusinessesandpublicsectorbuildings.Wewillreducecentralgovernmentcarbonemissionsby10%within12months.

• Wewillreformenergymarketstodeliversecurityofsupplyandinvestmentinlowcarbonenergy,andensurefaircompetitionincludingareviewoftheroleofOfgem.

• WewillinstructOfgemtoestablishasecurityguaranteeofenergysupplies.

• WewillgiveanAnnualEnergyStatementtoParliamenttosetstrategicenergypolicyandguideinvestment.

• Wewilldeliveranoffshoreelectricitygridinordertosupportthedevelopmentofanewgenerationofoffshorewindpower.

• Wewillmakemodestcutsof£6billiontonon-front-lineserviceswithinthefinancialyear2010/11,subjecttoadvicefromtheTreasuryandtheBankofEnglandontheirfeasibilityandadvisability.Aproportionofthesesavingscanbeusedtosupportjobs.

• WewillholdafullSpendingReviewreportingthisautumn,followingafullyconsultativeprocessinvolvingalltiersofgovernmentandtheprivatesector.

• WewillreducespendingontheChildTrustFundandtaxcreditsforhigherearners.

• Wewillcreatestrongfinancialdisciplineatalllevelsofgovernmentandplaceanobligationonpublicservantstomanagetaxpayers’moneywisely.

• Wewillreducethenumberandcostofquangos.

10.ENERGYANDCLIMATECHANGE

TheGovernmentbelievesthatclimatechangeisoneofthegravestthreatsweface,andthaturgentactionathomeandabroadisrequired.Weneedtouseawiderangeofleverstocutcarbonemissions,decarbonisetheeconomyandsupportthecreationofnewgreenjobsandtechnologies.Wewillimplementafullprogrammeofmeasurestofulfilourjointambitionsforalowcarbonandeco-friendlyeconomy.

• WewillpushfortheEUtodemonstrateleadershipintacklinginternationalclimatechange,includingbysupportinganincreaseintheEUemissionreductiontargetto30%by2020.

• Wewillseektoincreasethetargetforenergyfromrenewablesources,subjecttotheadviceoftheClimateChangeCommittee.

• Wewillcontinuepublicsectorinvestmentincarboncaptureandstorage(CCS)technologyforfourcoal-firedpowerstations.

• Wewillestablishasmartgridandrolloutsmartmeters.


11.ENVIRONMENT,FOODANDRURALAFFAIRS

TheGovernmentbelievesthatweneedtoprotecttheenvironmentforfuturegenerations,makeoureconomymoreenvironmentallysustainable,andimproveourqualityoflifeandwell-being.Wealsobelievethatmuchmoreneedstobedonetosupportthefarmingindustry,protectbiodiversityandencouragesustainablefoodproduction.

• Wewillintroducemeasurestomaketheimportorpossessionofillegaltimberacriminaloffence.

• Wewillintroducemeasurestoprotectwildlifeandpromotegreenspacesandwildlifecorridorsinordertohaltthelossofhabitatsandrestorebiodiversity.

• Wewilllaunchanationaltreeplantingcampaign.

• WewillreviewthegovernancearrangementsofNationalParksinordertoincreaselocalaccountability.

• WewillworktowardsfullcompliancewithEuropeanAirQualitystandards.

• WewilltakeforwardthefindingsofthePittReviewtoimproveourflooddefences,andpreventunnecessarybuildinginareasofhighfloodrisk.

• WewillexaminetheconclusionsoftheCaveandWalkerReviews,andreformthewaterindustrytoensuremoreefficientuseofwaterandtheprotectionofpoorerhouseholds.

• Wewillworktowardsa‘zerowaste’economy,encouragecouncilstopaypeopletorecycle,andworktoreducelittering.

• Wewillreducetheregulatoryburdenonfarmersbymovingtoarisk-basedsystemofregulation,andwilldevelopasystemofextrasupportforhillfarmers.

• Wewillencouragecommunity-ownedrenewableenergyschemeswherelocalpeoplebenefitfromthepowerproduced.Wewillalsoallowcommunitiesthathostrenewableenergyprojectstokeeptheadditionalbusinessratestheygenerate.

• Aspartofthecreationofagreeninvestmentbank,wewillcreategreenfinancialproductstoprovideindividualswithopportunitiestoinvestintheinfrastructureneededtosupportthenewgreeneconomy.

• Wewillworktowardsanambitiousglobalclimatedealthatwilllimitemissionsandexplorethecreationofnewinternationalsourcesoffundingforthepurposeofclimatechangeadaptationandmitigation.

• LiberalDemocratshavelongopposedanynewnuclearconstruction.Conservatives,bycontrast,arecommittedtoallowingthereplacementofexistingnuclearpowerstationsprovidedthattheyaresubjecttothenormalplanningprocessformajorprojects(underanewNationalPlanningStatement),andalsoprovidedthattheyreceivenopublicsubsidy.

• WewillimplementaprocessallowingtheLiberalDemocratstomaintaintheiroppositiontonuclearpowerwhilepermittingtheGovernmenttobringforwardtheNationalPlanningStatementforratificationbyParliamentsothatnewnuclearconstructionbecomespossible.Thisprocesswillinvolve:

– theGovernmentcompletingthedraftingofanationalplanningstatementandputtingitbeforeParliament;

– specificagreementthataLiberalDemocratspokespersonwillspeakagainstthePlanningStatement,butthatLiberalDemocratMPswillabstain;and

– claritythatthiswillnotberegardedasanissueofconfidence.


12.EQUALITIESTheGovernmentbelievesthattherearemanybarrierstosocialmobilityandequalopportunitiesinBritaintoday,withtoomanychildrenheldbackbecauseoftheirsocialbackground,andtoomanypeopleofallagesheldbackbecauseoftheirgender,race,religionorsexuality.Weneedconcertedgovernmentactiontoteardownthesebarriersandhelptobuildafairersociety.

• Wewillpromoteequalpayandtakearangeofmeasurestoenddiscriminationintheworkplace.

• Wewillextendtherighttorequestflexibleworkingtoallemployees,consultingwithbusinessonhowbesttodoso.

• Wewillundertakeafairpayreviewinthepublicsectortoimplementourproposed‘20times’paymultiple.

• Wewilllooktopromotegenderequalityontheboardsoflistedcompanies.

• WewillpromoteimprovedcommunityrelationsandopportunitiesforBlack,AsianandMinorityEthnic(BAME)communities,includingbyprovidinginternshipsforunder-representedminoritiesineveryWhitehalldepartmentandfundingatargetednationalenterprisementoringschemeforBAMEpeoplewhowanttostartabusiness.

• Wewillstopthedeportationofasylumseekerswhohavehadtoleaveparticularcountriesbecausetheirsexualorientationorgenderidentificationputsthematprovenriskofimprisonment,tortureorexecution.

• WewilluseourrelationshipswithothercountriestopushforunequivocalsupportforgayrightsandforUKcivilpartnershipstoberecognisedinternationally.

• Wewillinvestigatewaystosharewithlivestockkeeperstheresponsibilityforpreparingforanddealingwithoutbreaksofdisease.

• WewilltakeforwardtheMarineandCoastalAccessActandensurethatitsconservationmeasuresareimplementedeffectively.

• Aspartofapackageofmeasures,wewillintroduceacarefullymanagedandscience-ledpolicyofbadgercontrolinareaswithhighandpersistentlevelsofbovinetuberculosis.

• Wewillpromotehighstandardsoffarmanimalwelfare.Wewillendthetestingofhouseholdproductsonanimalsandworktoreducetheuseofanimalsinscientificresearch.WewillpromoteresponsiblepetownershipbyintroducingeffectivecodesofpracticeundertheAnimalWelfareAct,andwillensurethatenforcementagenciestargetirresponsibleownersofdangerousdogs.

• Wewillensurethatfoodprocuredbygovernmentdepartments,andeventuallythewholepublicsector,meetsBritishstandardsofproductionwhereverthiscanbeachievedwithoutincreasingoverallcost.

• Wewillinvestigatemeasurestohelpwithfuelcostsinremoteruralareas,startingwithpilotschemes.

• Wewillcreateapresumptioninfavourofsustainabledevelopmentintheplanningsystem.

• Weopposetheresumptionofcommercialwhaling,willpressforabanonivorysales,andwilltacklethesmugglingandillegaltradeonwildlifethroughournewBorderPoliceForce.

• WewillbringforwardamotiononafreevoteenablingtheHouseofCommonstoexpressitsviewontherepealoftheHuntingAct.


• Wewillapproachforthcominglegislationintheareaofcriminaljusticeonacase-by-casebasis,withaviewtomaximisingourcountry’ssecurity,protectingBritain’scivillibertiesandpreservingtheintegrityofourcriminaljusticesystem.BritainwillnotparticipateintheestablishmentofanyEuropeanPublicProsecutor.

• WesupportthefurtherenlargementoftheEU.

14.FAMILIESANDCHILDRENTheGovernmentbelievesthatstrongandstablefamiliesofallkindsarethebedrockofastrongandstablesociety.Thatiswhyweneedtomakeoursocietymorefamilyfriendly,andtotakeactiontoprotectchildrenfromexcessivecommercialisationandprematuresexualisation.

• WewillmaintainthegoalofendingchildpovertyintheUKby2020.

• Wewillreformtheadministrationoftaxcreditstoreducefraudandoverpayments.

• Wewillbringforwardplanstoreducethecouplepenaltyinthetaxcreditsystemaswemakesavingsfromourwelfarereformplans.

• Wesupporttheprovisionoffreenurserycareforpre-schoolchildren,andwewantthatsupporttobeprovidedbyadiverserangeofproviders,withagreatergenderbalanceintheearlyyearsworkforce.

• WewilltakeSureStartbacktoitsoriginalpurposeofearlyintervention,increaseitsfocusontheneediestfamilies,andbetterinvolveorganisationswithatrackrecordofsupportingfamilies.Wewillinvestigatewaysofensuringthatprovidersarepaidinpartbytheresultstheyachieve.

• WewillrefocusfundingfromSureStartperipateticoutreachservices,andfromtheDepartmentofHealthbudget,topayfor4,200extraSureStarthealthvisitors.

• Wewillinvestigateanewapproachtohelpingfamilieswithmultipleproblems.

13.EUROPETheGovernmentbelievesthatBritainshouldplayaleadingroleinanenlargedEuropeanUnion,butthatnofurtherpowersshouldbetransferredtoBrusselswithoutareferendum.ThisapproachstrikestherightbalancebetweenconstructiveengagementwiththeEUtodealwiththeissuesthataffectusall,andprotectingournationalsovereignty.

• WewillensurethattheBritishGovernmentisapositiveparticipantintheEuropeanUnion,playingastrongandpositiverolewithourpartners,withthegoalofensuringthatallthenationsofEuropeareequippedtofacethechallengesofthe21stcentury:globalcompetitiveness,globalwarmingandglobalpoverty.

• WewillensurethatthereisnofurthertransferofsovereigntyorpowersoverthecourseofthenextParliament.WewillexaminethebalanceoftheEU’sexistingcompetencesandwill,inparticular,worktolimittheapplicationoftheWorkingTimeDirectiveintheUnitedKingdom.

• Wewillamendthe1972EuropeanCommunitiesActsothatanyproposedfuturetreatythattransferredareasofpower,orcompetences,wouldbesubjecttoareferendumonthattreaty–a‘referendumlock’.Wewillamendthe1972EuropeanCommunitiesActsothattheuseofanypasserellewouldrequireprimarylegislation.

• WewillexaminethecaseforaUnitedKingdomSovereigntyBilltomakeitclearthatultimateauthorityremainswithParliament.

• WewillensurethatBritaindoesnotjoinorpreparetojointheEurointhisParliament.

• WewillstronglydefendtheUK’snationalinterestsintheforthcomingEUbudgetnegotiationsandagreethattheEUbudgetshouldonlyfocusonthoseareaswheretheEUcanaddvalue.

• WewillpressfortheEuropeanParliamenttohaveonlyoneseat,inBrussels.


• Wewillworktoestablishanew‘specialrelationship’withIndiaandseekcloserengagementwithChina,whilestandingfirmonhumanrightsinallourbilateralrelationships.

• Wewillmaintainastrong,closeandfrankrelationshipwiththeUnitedStates.

• WewanttostrengthentheCommonwealthasafocusforpromotingdemocraticvaluesanddevelopment.

• WewillworktopromotestabilityintheWesternBalkans.

• WewillsupportconcertedinternationaleffortstopreventIranfromobtaininganuclearweapon.

• WesupportreformoftheUNSecurityCouncil,includingpermanentseatsforJapan,India,Germany,BrazilandAfricanrepresentation.

• Wewillworktointensifyourcultural,educational,commercialanddiplomaticlinkswithmanynationsbeyondEuropeandNorthAmericatostrengthentheUK’srelationswiththefastest-growingareasoftheworldeconomy.

• Wewillnevercondonetheuseoftorture.

16.GOVERNMENTTRANSPARENCY

TheGovernmentbelievesthatweneedtothrowopenthedoorsofpublicbodies,toenablethepublictoholdpoliticiansandpublicbodiestoaccount.Wealsorecognisethatthiswillhelptodeliverbettervalueformoneyinpublicspending,andhelpusachieveouraimofcuttingtherecorddeficit.Settinggovernmentdatafreewillbringsignificanteconomicbenefitsbyenablingbusinessesandnon-profitorganisationstobuildinnovativeapplicationsandwebsites.

• WewillrequirepublicbodiestopublishonlinethejobtitlesofeverymemberofstaffandthesalariesandexpensesofseniorofficialspaidmorethanthelowestsalarypermissibleinPay

• Wewillpublishseriouscasereviews,withidentifyingdetailsremoved.

• Wewillreviewthecriminalrecordsandvettingandbarringregimeandscaleitbacktocommonsenselevels.

• Wewillcrackdownonirresponsibleadvertisingandmarketing,especiallytochildren.Wewillalsotakestepstotacklethecommercialisationandsexualisationofchildhood.

• Wewillencouragesharedparentingfromtheearlieststagesofpregnancy–includingthepromotionofasystemofflexibleparentalleave.

• Wewillputfundingforrelationshipsupportonastable,long-termfooting,andmakesurethatcouplesaregivengreaterencouragementtouseexistingrelationshipsupport.

• Wewillconductacomprehensivereviewoffamilylawinordertoincreasetheuseofmediationwhencouplesdobreakup,andtolookathowbesttoprovidegreateraccessrightstonon-residentparentsandgrandparents.

15.FOREIGNAFFAIRSTheGovernmentbelievesthatBritainmustalwaysbeanactivememberoftheglobalcommunity,promotingournationalinterestswhilestandingupforthevaluesoffreedom,fairnessandresponsibility.ThismeansworkingasaconstructivememberoftheUnitedNations,NATOandothermultilateralorganisationsincludingtheCommonwealth;workingtopromotestabilityandsecurity;andpushingforreformofglobalinstitutionstoensurethattheyreflectthemodernworld.

• WewilltakeforwardoursharedresolvetosafeguardtheUK’snationalsecurityandsupportourArmedForcesinAfghanistanandelsewhere.

• WewillpushforpeaceintheMiddleEast,withasecureanduniversallyrecognisedIsraellivingalongsideasovereignandviablePalestinianstate.


17. IMMIGRATIONTheGovernmentbelievesthatimmigrationhasenrichedourcultureandstrengthenedoureconomy,butthatitmustbecontrolledsothatpeoplehaveconfidenceinthesystem.Wealsorecognisethattoensurecohesionandprotectourpublicservices,weneedtointroduceacaponimmigrationandreducethenumberofnon-EUimmigrants.

• Wewillintroduceanannuallimitonthenumberofnon-EUeconomicmigrantsadmittedintotheUKtoliveandwork.Wewillconsiderjointlythemechanismforimplementingthelimit.

• Wewillendthedetentionofchildrenforimmigrationpurposes.

• WewillcreateadedicatedBorderPoliceForce,aspartofarefocusedSeriousOrganisedCrimeAgency,toenhancenationalsecurity,improveimmigrationcontrolsandcrackdownonthetraffickingofpeople,weaponsanddrugs.Wewillworkwithpoliceforcestostrengthenarrangementstodealwithseriouscrimeandothercross-boundarypolicingchallenges,andextendcollaborationbetweenforcestodeliverbettervalueformoney.

• WesupportE-bordersandwillreintroduceexitchecks.

• WewillapplytransitionalcontrolsasamatterofcourseinthefutureforallnewEUMemberStates.

• Wewillintroducenewmeasurestominimiseabuseoftheimmigrationsystem,forexampleviastudentroutes,andwilltacklehumantraffickingasapriority.

• Wewillexplorenewwaystoimprovethecurrentasylumsystemtospeeduptheprocessingofapplications.

Band1oftheSeniorCivilServicepayscale,andorganogramsthatincludeallpositionsinthosebodies.

• WewillrequireanyonepaidmorethanthePrimeMinisterinthecentrallyfundedpublicsectortohavetheirsalarysignedoffbytheTreasury.

• Wewillregulatelobbyingthroughintroducingastatutoryregisteroflobbyistsandensuringgreatertransparency.

• Wewillalsopursueadetailedagreementonlimitingdonationsandreformingpartyfundinginordertoremovebigmoneyfrompolitics.

• WewillstrengthenthepowersofSelectCommitteestoscrutinisemajorpublicappointments.

• Wewillintroducenewprotectionsforwhistleblowersinthepublicsector.

• Wewilltakestepstoopenupgovernmentprocurementandreducecosts;andwewillpublishgovernmentICTcontractsonline.

• Wewillcreatealevelplayingfieldforopen-sourcesoftwareandwillenablelargeICTprojectstobesplitintosmallercomponents.

• Wewillrequirefull,onlinedisclosureofallcentralgovernmentspendingandcontractsover£25,000.

• Wewillcreateanew‘righttodata’sothatgovernment-helddatasetscanberequestedandusedbythepublic,andthenpublishedonaregularbasis.

• Wewillrequireallcouncilstopublishmeetingminutesandlocalserviceandperformancedata.

• Wewillrequireallcouncilstopublishitemsofspendingabove£500,andtopublishcontractsandtenderdocumentsinfull.

• Wewillensurethatalldatapublishedbypublicbodiesispublishedinanopenandstandardisedformat,sothatitcanbeusedeasilyandwithminimalcostbythirdparties.


• Wewillpushhardin2010tomakegreaterprogressintacklingmaternalandinfantmortality.

• WewillworktoacceleratetheprocessofrelievingHeavilyIndebtedPoorCountriesoftheirdebt.

• WewillsupporteffortstoestablishanInternationalArmsTradeTreatytolimitthesalesofarmstodangerousregimes.

• Wewillsupportpro-developmenttradedeals,includingtheproposedPan-AfricanFreeTradeArea.

• WewillsupportinnovativeandeffectivesmallerBritishnon-governmentalorganisationsthatarecommittedtotacklingpoverty.

• Wewillexplorewaysofhelpingtheverypoorestdevelopingcountriestotakepartininternationalclimatechangenegotiations.

• WewillensurethatUKTradeandInvestmentandtheExportCreditsGuaranteeDepartmentbecomechampionsforBritishcompaniesthatdevelopandexportinnovativegreentechnologiesaroundtheworld,insteadofsupportinginvestmentindirtyfossil-fuelenergyproduction.

• Wewillprovideamoreintegratedapproachtopost-conflictreconstructionwheretheBritishmilitaryisinvolved–buildingontheStabilisationUnitinWhitehallandcreatinganewStabilisationandReconstructionForcetobridgethegapbetweenthemilitaryandthereconstructioneffort.

• Wewillreviewwhatactioncanbetakenagainst‘vulturefunds’.

• WewillsupportreformofglobalfinancialinstitutionssuchastheWorldBankandtheInternationalMonetaryFundinordertoincreasetheinvolvementofdevelopingnations.

18.INTERNATIONALDEVELOPMENT

TheGovernmentbelievesthateveninthesedifficulteconomictimes,theUKhasamoralresponsibilitytohelpthepoorestpeopleintheworld.Wewillhonourouraidcommitments,butatthesametimewillensuremuchgreatertransparencyandscrutinyofaidspendingtodelivervalueformoneyforBritishtaxpayersandtomaximisetheimpactofouraidbudget.

• Wewillhonourourcommitmenttospend0.7%ofGNIonoverseasaidfrom2013,andtoenshrinethiscommitmentinlaw.

• Wewillencourageothercountriestofulfiltheiraidcommitments.

• WewillsupportactionstoachievetheMillenniumDevelopmentGoals.Inparticular,wewillprioritiseaidspendingonprogrammestoensurethateveryonehasaccesstocleanwater,sanitation,healthcareandeducation;toreducematernalandinfantmortality;andtorestrictthespreadofmajordiseaseslikeHIV/AIDS,TBandmalaria.Wewillrecognisethevitalroleofwomenindevelopment,promotegenderequalityandfocusontherightsofwomen,childrenanddisabledpeopletoaccessservices.

• Wewillusetheaidbudgettosupportthedevelopmentoflocaldemocraticinstitutions,civilsocietygroups,themediaandenterprise;andsupporteffortstotacklecorruption.

• WewillintroducefulltransparencyinaidandpublishdetailsofallUKaidspendingonline. Wewillpushforsimilarlyhighlevelsoftransparencyinternationally.

• WewillcreatenewmechanismstogiveBritishpeopleadirectsayinhowanelementoftheaidbudgetisspent.

• Wewillkeepaiduntiedfromcommercialinterests,andwillmaintainDfIDasanindependentdepartmentfocusedonpovertyreduction.

• WewillsticktotheruleslaiddownbytheOECDaboutwhatspendingcountsasaid.


• WewilldrawonarangeofServiceAcademiestoofferpre-employmenttrainingandworkplacementsforunemployedpeople.

• WewilldeveloplocalWorkClubs–placeswhereunemployedpeoplecangathertoexchangeskills,findopportunities,makecontactsandprovidemutualsupport.

• Wewillinvestigatehowtosimplifythebenefit systeminordertoimproveincentivestowork.

20.JUSTICETheGovernmentbelievesthatmoreneedstobedonetoensurefairnessinthejusticesystem.Thismeansintroducingmoreeffectivesentencingpolicies,aswellasoverhaulingthesystemofrehabilitationtoreducereoffendingandprovidegreatersupportandprotectionforthevictimsofcrime.

• Wewillintroducea‘rehabilitationrevolution’thatwillpayindependentproviderstoreducereoffending,paidforbythesavingsthisnewapproachwillgeneratewithinthecriminaljusticesystem.

• Wewillconductafullreviewofsentencingpolicytoensurethatitiseffectiveindeterringcrime,protectingthepublic,punishingoffendersandcuttingreoffending.Inparticular,wewillensurethatsentencingfordrugusehelpsoffenderscomeoffdrugs.

• Wewillexplorealternativeformsofsecure,treatment-basedaccommodationformentallyillanddrugsoffenders.

• WewillimplementthePrisoners’EarningsAct1996toallowdeductionsfromtheearningsofprisonersinproperlypaidworktobepaidintotheVictims’Fund.

• WewillconsiderhowtouseproceedsfromtheVictimSurchargetodeliverupto15newrapecrisiscentres,andgiveexistingrapecrisiscentresstable,long-termfunding.

• WewillcarryoutafundamentalreviewofLegalAidtomakeitworkmoreefficiently.

19.JOBSANDWELFARETheGovernmentbelievesthatweneedtoencourageresponsibilityandfairnessinthewelfaresystem.Thatmeansprovidinghelpforthosewhocannotwork,trainingandtargetedsupportforthoselookingforwork,butsanctionsforthosewhoturndownreasonableoffersofworkortraining.

• Wewillendallexistingwelfaretoworkprogrammesandcreateasinglewelfaretoworkprogrammetohelpallunemployedpeoplegetbackintowork.

• WewillensurethatJobseeker’sAllowanceclaimantsfacingthemostsignificantbarrierstoworkarereferredtothenewwelfaretoworkprogrammeimmediately,notafter12monthsasiscurrentlythecase.WewillensurethatJobseeker’sAllowanceclaimantsagedunder25arereferredtotheprogrammeafteramaximumofsixmonths.

• Wewillrealigncontractswithwelfaretoworkserviceproviderstoreflectmorecloselytheresultstheyachieveingettingpeoplebackintowork.

• Wewillreformthefundingmechanismusedbygovernmenttofinancewelfaretoworkprogrammestoreflectthefactthatinitialinvestmentdeliverslatersavingsthroughlowerbenefitexpenditure,includingcreatinganintegratedworkprogrammewithoutcomefundingbasedupontheDEL/AMEswitch.

• Wewillensurethatreceiptofbenefitsforthoseabletoworkisconditionalontheirwillingnesstowork.

• WesupporttheNationalMinimumWagebecauseoftheprotectionitgiveslow-incomeworkersandtheincentivestoworkitprovides.

• Wewillre-assessallcurrentclaimantsofIncapacityBenefitfortheirreadinesstowork.ThoseassessedasfullycapableforworkwillbemovedontoJobseeker’sAllowance.

• Wewillsupportwould-beentrepreneursthroughanewprogramme–WorkforYourself–whichwillgivetheunemployedaccesstobusinessmentorsandstart-uploans.


22.NHSTheGovernmentbelievesthattheNHSisanimportantexpressionofournationalvalues.WearecommittedtoanNHSthatisfreeatthepointofuseandavailabletoeveryonebasedonneed,nottheabilitytopay.WewanttofreeNHSstafffrompoliticalmicromanagement,increasedemocraticparticipationintheNHSandmaketheNHSmoreaccountabletothepatientsthatitserves.Thatwaywewilldriveupstandards,supportprofessionalresponsibility,deliverbettervalueformoneyandcreateahealthiernation.

• WewillguaranteethathealthspendingincreasesinrealtermsineachyearoftheParliament,whilerecognisingtheimpactthisdecisionwillhaveonotherdepartments.

• Wewillstopthetop-downreorganisationsoftheNHSthathavegotinthewayofpatientcare.Wearecommittedtoreducingduplicationandtheresourcesspentonadministration,anddivertingtheseresourcesbacktofront-linecare.

• Wewillsignificantlycutthenumberofhealthquangos.

• WewillcutthecostofNHSadministrationbyathirdandtransferresourcestosupportdoctorsandnursesonthefrontline.

• WewillstopthecentrallydictatedclosureofA&Eandmaternitywards,sothatpeoplehavebetteraccesstolocalservices.

• WewillstrengthenthepowerofGPsaspatients’expertguidesthroughthehealthsystembyenablingthemtocommissioncareontheirbehalf.

• Wewillensurethatthereisastrongervoiceforpatientslocallythroughdirectlyelectedindividualsontheboardsoftheirlocalprimarycaretrust(PCT).TheremainderofthePCT’sboardwillbeappointedbytherelevantlocalauthorityorauthorities,andtheChiefExecutiveandprincipalofficerswillbeappointedbytheSecretaryofStateontheadviceofthenewindependentNHSboard.Thiswillensuretherightbalancebetween

• Wewillchangethelawsothathistoricalconvictionsforconsensualgaysexwithover-16swillbetreatedasspentandwillnotshowuponcriminalrecordschecks.

• Wewillextendanonymityinrapecasestodefendants.

• Wewillintroduceeffectivemeasurestotackleanti-socialbehaviourandlow-levelcrime,includingformsofrestorativejusticesuchasNeighbourhoodJusticePanels.

21.NATIONALSECURITYTheGovernmentbelievesthatitsprimaryresponsibilityistoensurenationalsecurity.Weneedacoherentapproachtonationalsecurityissuesacrossgovernment,andwewilltakeactiontotackleterrorism,anditscauses,athomeandabroad.

• WehaveestablishedaNationalSecurityCouncilandappointedaNationalSecurityAdviser.

• WehavecommencedaStrategicDefenceandSecurityReview,commissionedandoverseenbytheNationalSecurityCouncil,withstrongTreasuryinvolvement.WewillalsodevelopandpublishanewNationalSecurityStrategy.

• WewillurgentlyreviewControlOrders,aspartofawiderreviewofcounter-terroristlegislation,measuresandprogrammes.Wewillseektofindapracticalwaytoallowtheuseofinterceptevidenceincourt.

• Wewilldenypublicfundstoanygroupthathasrecentlyespousedorincitedviolenceorhatred.Wewillproscribesuchorganisations,subjecttotheadviceofthepoliceandsecurityandintelligenceagencies.

• WebelievethatBritainshouldbeabletodeportforeignnationalswhothreatenoursecuritytocountrieswherethereareverifiableguaranteesthattheywillnotbetortured.Wewillseektoextendtheseguaranteestomorecountries.


• WewillseektostopforeignhealthcareprofessionalsworkingintheNHSunlesstheyhavepassedrobustlanguageandcompetencetests.

• Doctorsandnursesneedtobeabletousetheirprofessionaljudgementaboutwhatisrightforpatientsandwewillsupportthisbygivingfront-linestaffmorecontroloftheirworkingenvironment.

• WewillstrengthentheroleoftheCareQualityCommissionsoitbecomesaneffectivequalityinspectorate.WewilldevelopMonitorintoaneconomicregulatorthatwilloverseeaspectsofaccess,competitionandprice-settingintheNHS.

• WewillestablishanindependentNHSboardtoallocateresourcesandprovidecommissioningguidelines.

• Wewillenablepatientstoratehospitalsanddoctorsaccordingtothequalityofcaretheyreceived,andwewillrequirehospitalstobeopenaboutmistakesandalwaystellpatientsifsomethinghasgonewrong.

• Wewillmeasureoursuccessonthehealthresultsthatreallymatter–suchasimprovingcancerandstrokesurvivalratesorreducinghospitalinfections.

• Wewillpublishdetaileddataabouttheperformanceofhealthcareprovidersonline,soeveryonewillknowwhoisprovidingagoodserviceandwhoisfallingbehind.

• Wewillputpatientsinchargeofmakingdecisionsabouttheircare,includingcontroloftheirhealthrecords.

• WewillcreateaCancerDrugsFundtoenablepatientstoaccessthecancerdrugstheirdoctorsthinkwillhelpthem,paidforusingmoneysavedbytheNHSthroughourpledgetostoptheriseinEmployerNationalInsurancecontributionsfromApril2011.

• WewillreformNICEandmovetoasystemofvalue-basedpricing,sothatallpatientscanaccessthedrugsandtreatmentstheirdoctorsthinktheyneed.

locallyaccountableindividualsandtechnicalexpertise.

• ThelocalPCTwillactasachampionforpatientsandcommissionthoseresidualservicesthatarebestundertakenatawiderlevel,ratherthandirectlybyGPs.Itwillalsotakeresponsibilityforimprovingpublichealthforpeopleintheirarea,workingcloselywiththelocalauthorityandotherlocalorganisations.

• Ifalocalauthorityhasconcernsaboutasignificantproposedclosureoflocalservices,forexampleanA&Edepartment,itwillhavetherighttochallengehealthorganisations,andreferthecasetotheIndependentReconfigurationPanel.ThePanelwouldthenprovideadvicetotheSecretaryofStateforHealth.

• WewillgiveeverypatienttherighttochoosetoregisterwiththeGPtheywant,withoutbeingrestrictedbywheretheylive.

• Wewilldevelopa24/7urgentcareserviceineveryareaofEngland,includingGPout-of-hoursservices,andensureeverypatientcanaccessalocalGP.Wewillmakecaremoreaccessiblebyintroducingasinglenumberforeverykindofurgentcareandbyusingtechnologytohelppeoplecommunicatewiththeirdoctors.

• WewillrenegotiatetheGPcontractandincentivisewaysofimprovingaccesstoprimarycareindisadvantagedareas.

• WewillmaketheNHSworkbetterbyextendingbestpracticeonimprovingdischargefromhospital,maximisingthenumberofdaycareoperations,reducingdelayspriortooperations,andwherepossibleenablingcommunityaccesstocareandtreatments.

• Wewillhelpelderlypeopleliveathomeforlongerthroughsolutionssuchashomeadaptationsandcommunitysupportprogrammes.

• Wewillprioritisedementiaresearchwithinthehealthresearchanddevelopmentbudget.


• Wewillphaseoutthedefaultretirementageandholdareviewtosetthedateatwhichthestatepensionagestartstoriseto66,althoughitwillnotbesoonerthan2016formenand2020forwomen.Wewillendtherulesrequiringcompulsoryannuitisationat75.

• WewillimplementtheParliamentaryandHealthOmbudsman’srecommendationtomakefairandtransparentpaymentstoEquitableLifepolicyholders,throughanindependentpaymentscheme,fortheirrelativelossasaconsequenceofregulatoryfailure.

• Wewillexplorethepotentialtogivepeoplegreaterflexibilityinaccessingpartoftheirpersonalpensionfundearly.

• Wewillprotectkeybenefitsforolderpeoplesuchasthewinterfuelallowance,freeTVlicences,freebustravel,andfreeeyetestsandprescriptions.

• Wewillsimplifytherulesandregulationsrelatingtopensionstohelpreinvigorateoccupationalpensions,encouragingcompaniestoofferhigh-qualitypensionstoallemployees,andwewillworkwithbusinessandtheindustrytosupportautoenrolment.

24.POLITICALREFORMTheGovernmentbelievesthatourpoliticalsystemisbroken.Weurgentlyneedfundamentalpoliticalreform,includingareferendumonelectoralreform,muchgreaterco-operationacrosspartylines,andchangestoourpoliticalsystemtomakeitfarmoretransparentandaccountable.

• Wewillestablishfive-yearfixed-termParliaments.WewillputabindingmotionbeforetheHouseofCommonsstatingthatthenextgeneralelectionwillbeheldonthefirstThursdayofMay2015.Followingthismotion,wewilllegislatetomakeprovisionforfixed-termParliamentsoffiveyears.Thislegislationwillalsoprovidefordissolutionif55%ormoreoftheHousevotesinfavour.

• WewillintroduceanewdentistrycontractthatwillfocusonachievinggooddentalhealthandincreasingaccesstoNHSdentistry,withanadditionalfocusontheoralhealthofschoolchildren.

• Wewillprovide£10millionayearbeyond2011fromwithinthebudgetoftheDepartmentofHealthtosupportchildren’shospicesintheirvitalwork.Andsothatpropersupportforthemostsickchildrenandadultscancontinueinthesettingoftheirchoice,wewillintroduceanewper-patientfundingsystemforallhospicesandprovidersofpalliativecare.

• WewillencourageNHSorganisationstoworkbetterwiththeirlocalpoliceforcestoclampdownonanyonewhoisaggressiveandabusivetostaff.

• Wearecommittedtothecontinuousimprovementofthequalityofservicestopatients,andtoachievingthisthroughmuchgreaterinvolvementofindependentandvoluntaryproviders.

• WewillgiveeverypatientthepowertochooseanyhealthcareproviderthatmeetsNHSstandards,withinNHSprices.Thisincludesindependent,voluntaryandcommunitysectorproviders.

23.PENSIONSANDOLDERPEOPLE

TheGovernmentbelievesthatpeopledeservedignityandrespectinoldage,andthattheyshouldbeprovidedwiththesupporttheyneed.Thatmeanssafeguardingkeybenefitsandpensions,andtakingactiontomakeiteasierforolderpeopletoworkorvolunteer.

• WewillrestoretheearningslinkforthebasicstatepensionfromApril2011,witha‘tripleguarantee’thatpensionsareraisedbythehigherofearnings,pricesor2.5%.

• Wewillcommittoestablishinganindependentcommissiontoreviewthelong-termaffordabilityofpublicsectorpensions,whileprotectingaccruedrights.


• WewillcuttheperksandbureaucracyassociatedwithParliament.

• WewillconsultwiththeIndependentParliamentaryStandardsAuthorityonhowtomoveawayfromthegenerousfinal-salarypensionsystemforMPs.

• Wewillfund200all-postalprimariesoverthisParliament,targetedatseatswhichhavenotchangedhandsformanyyears.ThesefundswillbeallocatedtoallpoliticalpartieswithseatsinParliamentthattheytakeup,inproportiontotheirshareofthetotalvoteinthelastgeneralelection.

• Wewillensurethatanypetitionthatsecures100,000signatureswillbeeligibleforformaldebateinParliament.ThepetitionwiththemostsignatureswillenablemembersofthepublictotableabilleligibletobevotedoninParliament.

• Wewillintroduceanew‘publicreadingstage’forbillstogivethepublicanopportunitytocommentonproposedlegislationonline,andadedicated‘publicreadingday’withinabill’scommitteestagewherethosecommentswillbedebatedbythecommitteescrutinisingthe bill.

• Wewillimprovethecivilservice,andmakeiteasiertorewardthebestcivilservantsandremovetheleasteffective.

• WewillreformtheCivilServiceCompensationSchemetobringitintolinewithpracticeintheprivatesector.

• WewillputalimitonthenumberonSpecialAdvisers.

• WewillintroduceextrasupportforpeoplewithdisabilitieswhowanttobecomeMPs,councillorsorotherelectedofficials.

• WewillopenupWhitehallrecruitmentbypublishingcentralgovernmentjobvacanciesonline.

• WewillpublishdetailsofeveryUKprojectthatreceivesover£25,000ofEUfunds.

• Wewillgiveresidentsthepowertoinstigatelocalreferendumsonanylocalissue.

• WewillbringforwardaReferendumBillonelectoralreform,whichincludesprovisionfortheintroductionoftheAlternativeVoteintheeventofapositiveresultinthereferendum,aswellasforthecreationoffewerandmoreequalsizedconstituencies.WewillwhipbothParliamentarypartiesinbothHousestosupportasimplemajorityreferendumontheAlternativeVote,withoutprejudicetothepositionspartieswilltakeduringsuchareferendum.

• Wewillbringforwardearlylegislationtointroduceapowerofrecall,allowingvoterstoforceaby-electionwhereanMPisfoundtohaveengagedinseriouswrongdoingandhavinghadapetitioncallingforaby-electionsignedby10%ofhisorherconstituents.

• Wewillestablishacommitteetobringforwardproposalsforawhollyormainlyelectedupperchamberonthebasisofproportionalrepresentation.ThecommitteewillcomeforwardwithadraftmotionbyDecember2010.Itislikelythatthiswilladvocatesinglelongtermsofoffice.ItisalsolikelythattherewillbeagrandfatheringsystemforcurrentPeers.Intheinterim,Lordsappointmentswillbemadewiththeobjectiveofcreatingasecondchamberthatisreflectiveoftheshareofthevotesecuredbythepoliticalpartiesinthelastgeneralelection.

• WewillbringforwardtheproposalsoftheWrightCommitteeforreformtotheHouseofCommonsinfull–startingwiththeproposedcommitteeformanagementofbackbenchbusiness.AHouseBusinessCommittee,toconsidergovernmentbusiness,willbeestablishedbythethirdyearoftheParliament.

• Wewillreduceelectoralfraudbyspeedinguptheimplementationofindividualvoterregistration.

• Wewillestablishacommissiontoconsiderthe‘WestLothianquestion’.

• WewillpreventthepossiblemisuseofParliamentaryprivilegebyMPsaccusedofseriouswrongdoing.


25.PUBLICHEALTHTheGovernmentbelievesthatweneedactiontopromotepublichealth,andencouragebehaviourchangetohelppeoplelivehealthierlives.Weneedanambitiousstrategytopreventill-healthwhichharnessesinnovativetechniquestohelppeopletakeresponsibilityfortheirownhealth.

• Wewillgivelocalcommunitiesgreatercontroloverpublichealthbudgetswithpaymentbytheoutcomestheyachieveinimprovingthehealthoflocalresidents.

• WewillgiveGPsgreaterincentivestotacklepublichealthproblems.

• Wewillinvestigatewaysofimprovingaccesstopreventativehealthcareforthoseindisadvantagedareastohelptacklehealthinequalities.

• Wewillensuregreateraccesstotalkingtherapiestoreducelong-termcostsfortheNHS.

26.SCHOOLSTheGovernmentbelievesthatweneedtoreformourschoolsystemtotackleeducationalinequality,whichhaswidenedinrecentyears,andtogivegreaterpowerstoparentsandpupilstochooseagoodschool.Wewanttoensurehighstandardsofdisciplineintheclassroom,robuststandardsandthehighestqualityteaching.Wealsobelievethatthestateshouldhelpparents,communitygroupsandotherscometogethertoimprovetheeducationsystembystartingnewschools.

• Wewillpromotethereformofschoolsinordertoensurethatnewproviderscanenterthestateschoolsysteminresponsetoparentaldemand;thatallschoolshavegreaterfreedomoverthecurriculum;andthatallschoolsareheldproperlytoaccount.

• Wewillfundasignificantpremiumfordisadvantagedpupilsfromoutsidetheschoolsbudgetbyreductionsinspendingelsewhere.

• Wewillgiveparents,teachers,charitiesandlocalcommunitiesthechancetosetupnew

• Wewillstopplanstoimposesupplementarybusinessratesonfirmsifamajorityofthefirmsaffecteddonotgivetheirconsent.

• Wewillgiveresidentsthepowertovetoexcessivecounciltaxincreases.

• Wewillcontinuetopromotepeace,stabilityandeconomicprosperityinNorthernIreland,standingfirmlybehindtheagreementsnegotiatedandinstitutionstheyestablish.WewillworktobringNorthernIrelandbackintothemainstreamofUKpolitics,includingproducingagovernmentpaperexaminingpotentialmechanismsforchangingthecorporationtaxrateinNorthernIreland.

• WewillimplementtheproposalsoftheCalmanCommissionandintroduceareferendumonfurtherWelshdevolution.

• WewillreviewthecontrolanduseofaccumulatedandfuturerevenuesfromtheFossilFuelLevyinScotland.

• WerecognisetheconcernsexpressedbytheHolthamCommissiononthesystemofdevolutionfunding.However,atthistime,theprioritymustbetoreducethedeficitandthereforeanychangetothesystemmustawaitthestabilisationofthepublicfinances.Dependingontheoutcomeoftheforthcomingreferendum,wewillestablishaprocesssimilartotheCalmanCommissionfortheWelshAssembly.WewilltakeforwardtheSustainableHomesLegislativeCompetenceOrder.

• WewillmaketherunningofgovernmentmoreefficientbyintroducingenhancedDepartmentalBoardswhichwillformcollectiveoperationalleadershipofgovernmentdepartments.


• Wewillkeepexternalassessment,butwillreviewhowKeyStage2testsoperateinfuture.

• WewillensurethatallnewAcademiesfollowaninclusiveadmissionspolicy.Wewillworkwithfaithgroupstoenablemorefaithschoolsandfacilitateinclusiveadmissionspoliciesinasmanyoftheseschoolsaspossible.

27.SOCIALACTIONTheGovernmentbelievesthattheinnovationandenthusiasmofcivilsocietyisessentialintacklingthesocial,economicandpoliticalchallengesthattheUKfacestoday.Wewilltakeactiontosupportandencouragesocialresponsibility,volunteeringandphilanthropy,andmakeiteasierforpeopletocometogethertoimprovetheircommunitiesandhelponeanother.

• Wewillsupportthecreationandexpansionofmutuals,co-operatives,charitiesandsocialenterprises,andenablethesegroupstohavemuchgreaterinvolvementintherunningofpublicservices.

• Wewillgivepublicsectorworkersanewrighttoformemployee-ownedco-operativesandbidtotakeovertheservicestheydeliver.Thiswillempowermillionsofpublicsectorworkerstobecometheirownbossandhelpthemtodeliverbetterservices.

• WewilltrainanewgenerationofcommunityorganisersandsupportthecreationofneighbourhoodgroupsacrosstheUK,especiallyinthemostdeprivedareas.

• Wewilltakearangeofmeasurestoencouragecharitablegivingandphilanthropy.

• WewillintroduceNationalCitizenService.Theinitialflagshipprojectwillprovideaprogrammefor16yearoldstogivethemachancetodeveloptheskillsneededtobeactiveandresponsiblecitizens,mixwithpeoplefromdifferentbackgrounds,andstartgettinginvolvedintheircommunities.

• Wewillusefundsfromdormantbankaccountstoestablisha‘BigSocietyBank’,whichwillprovidenewfinancefor

schools,aspartofourplanstoallownewproviderstoenterthestateschoolsysteminresponsetoparentaldemand.

• WewillsupportTeachFirst,createTeachNowtobuildontheGraduateTeacherProgramme,andseekotherwaystoimprovethequalityoftheteachingprofession.

• Wewillreformtheexistingrigidnationalpayandconditionsrulestogiveschoolsgreaterfreedomstopaygoodteachersmoreanddealwithpoorperformance.

• Wewillhelpschoolstacklebullyinginschools,especiallyhomophobicbullying.

• Wewillsimplifytheregulationofstandardsineducationandtargetinspectiononareasoffailure.

• Wewillgiveanonymitytoteachersaccusedbypupilsandtakeothermeasurestoprotectagainstfalseaccusations.

• Wewillseektoattractmoretopscienceandmathsgraduatestobeteachers.

• Wewillpublishperformancedataoneducationalproviders,aswellaspastexampapers.

• WewillcreatemoreflexibilityintheexamssystemssothatstateschoolscanofferqualificationsliketheIGCSE.

• Wewillreformleaguetablessothatschoolsareabletofocuson,anddemonstrate,theprogressofchildrenofallabilities.

• Wewillgiveheadsandteachersthepowerstheyneedtoensuredisciplineintheclassroomandpromotegoodbehaviour.

• Webelievethemostvulnerablechildrendeservetheveryhighestqualityofcare.Wewillimprovediagnosticassessmentforschoolchildren,preventtheunnecessaryclosureofspecialschools,andremovethebiastowardsinclusion.

• Wewillimprovethequalityofvocationaleducation,includingincreasingflexibilityfor14–19yearoldsandcreatingnewTechnicalAcademiesaspartofourplanstodiversifyschoolsprovision.


29.TAXATIONTheGovernmentbelievesthatthetaxsystemneedstobereformedtomakeitmorecompetitive,simpler,greenerandfairer.WeneedtotakeactiontoensurethatthetaxframeworkbetterreflectsthevaluesofthisGovernment.

• Wewillincreasethepersonalallowanceforincometaxtohelplowerandmiddleincomeearners.WewillannounceinthefirstBudgetasubstantialincreaseinthepersonalallowancefromApril2011,withthebenefitsfocusedonthosewithlowerandmiddleincomes.ThiswillbefundedwiththemoneythatwouldhavebeenusedtopayfortheincreaseinemployeeNationalInsurancethresholdsproposedbytheConservativeParty,aswellasrevenuesfromincreasesinCapitalGainsTaxratesfornon-businessassetsasdescribedbelow.TheincreaseinemployerNationalInsurancethresholdsproposedbytheConservativeswillgoaheadinordertostoptheplannedjobstax.

• Wewillfurtherincreasethepersonalallowanceto£10,000,makingrealtermsstepseachyeartowardsmeetingthisasalonger-termpolicyobjective.Wewillprioritisethisoverothertaxcuts,includingcutstoInheritanceTax.

• WewillalsoensurethatprovisionismadeforLiberalDemocratMPstoabstainonbudgetresolutionstointroducetransferabletaxallowancesformarriedcoupleswithoutprejudicetothecoalitionagreement.

• Wewillreformthetaxationofairtravelbyswitchingfromaper-passengertoaper-planeduty,andwillensurethataproportionofanyincreasedrevenuesovertimewillbeusedtohelpfundincreasesinthepersonalallowance.

• Wewillseekwaysoftaxingnon-businesscapitalgainsatratessimilarorclosetothoseappliedtoincome,withgenerousexemptionsforentrepreneurialbusinessactivities.

• Wewillmakeeveryefforttotackletaxavoidance,includingdetaileddevelopmentofLiberalDemocratproposals.

neighbourhoodgroups,charities,socialenterprisesandothernon-governmentalbodies.

• Wewilltakearangeofmeasurestoencouragevolunteeringandinvolvementinsocialaction,includinglaunchinganationaldaytocelebrateandencouragesocialaction,andmakeregularcommunityserviceanelementofcivilservicestaffappraisals.

28.SOCIALCAREANDDISABILITY

TheGovernmentbelievesthatpeopleneedingcaredeservetobetreatedwithdignityandrespect.Weunderstandtheurgencyofreformingthesystemofsocialcaretoprovidemuchmorecontroltoindividualsandtheircarers,andtoeasethecostburdenthattheyandtheirfamiliesface.

• Wewillestablishacommissiononlong-termcare,toreportwithinayear.Thecommissionwillconsiderarangeofideas,includingbothavoluntaryinsuranceschemetoprotecttheassetsofthosewhogointoresidentialcare,andapartnershipschemeasproposedbyDerekWanless.

• Wewillbreakdownbarriersbetweenhealthandsocialcarefundingtoincentivisepreventativeaction.

• Wewillextendthegreaterroll-outofpersonalbudgetstogivepeopleandtheircarersmorecontrolandpurchasingpower.

• Wewillusedirectpaymentstocarersandbettercommunity-basedprovisiontoimproveaccesstorespitecare.

• WewillreformAccesstoWork,sodisabledpeoplecanapplyforjobswithfundingalreadysecuredforanyadaptationsandequipmenttheywillneed.


• Wewillsupportsustainabletravelinitiatives,includingthepromotionofcyclingandwalking,andwillencouragejointworkingbetweenbusoperatorsandlocalauthorities.

• Wearecommittedtofairpricingforrailtravel.

• WewillworktowardstheintroductionofanewsystemofHGVroaduserchargingtoensureafairerarrangementforUKhauliers.

• Wewillstopcentralgovernmentfundingfornewfixedspeedcamerasandswitchtomoreeffectivewaysofmakingourroadssafer,includingauthorising‘drugalyser’technology.

• Wewilltacklerogueprivatesectorwheelclampers.

31.UNIVERSITIESANDFURTHEREDUCATION

TheGovernmentbelievesthatouruniversitiesareessentialforbuildingastrongandinnovativeeconomy.Wewilltakeactiontocreatemorecollegeanduniversityplaces,aswellashelptofosterstrongerlinksbetweenuniversities,collegesandindustries.

• Wewillseekwaystosupportthecreationofapprenticeships,internships,workpairings,andcollegeandworkplacetrainingplacesaspartofourwiderprogrammetogetBritainworking.

• Wewillsetcollegesfreefromdirectstatecontrolandabolishmanyofthefurthereducationquangos.Publicfundingshouldbefairandfollowthechoicesofstudents.

• WewillawaitLordBrowne’sfinalreportintohighereducationfunding,andwilljudgeitsproposalsagainsttheneedto:

– increasesocialmobility;

– takeintoaccounttheimpactonstudentdebt;

– ensureaproperlyfundeduniversitysector;

– improvethequalityofteaching;

– advancescholarship;and

• Wewillincreasetheproportionoftaxrevenueaccountedforbyenvironmentaltaxes.

• WewilltakemeasurestofulfilourEUtreatyobligationsinregardtothetaxationofholidaylettingthatdonotpenaliseUK-basedbusinesses.

• Wewillreviewthetaxationofnon-domiciledindividuals.

30.TRANSPORTTheGovernmentbelievesthatamoderntransportinfrastructureisessentialforadynamicandentrepreneurialeconomy,aswellastoimprovewell-beingandqualityoflife.Weneedtomakethetransportsectorgreenerandmoresustainable,withtougheremissionstandardsandsupportfornewtransporttechnologies.

• Wewillmandateanationalrechargingnetworkforelectricandplug-inhybridvehicles.

• Wewillgrantlongerrailfranchisesinordertogiveoperatorstheincentivetoinvestintheimprovementspassengerswant–likebetterservices,betterstations,longertrainsandbetterrollingstock.

• Wewillreformthewaydecisionsaremadeonwhichtransportprojectstoprioritise,sothatthebenefitsoflowcarbonproposals(includinglightrailschemes)arefullyrecognised.

• WewillmakeNetworkRailmoreaccountabletoitscustomers.

• Wewillestablishahighspeedrailnetworkaspartofourprogrammeofmeasurestofulfilourjointambitionsforcreatingalowcarboneconomy.OurvisionisofatrulynationalhighspeedrailnetworkforthewholeofBritain.Givenfinancialconstraints,wewillhavetoachievethisinphases.

• WesupportCrossrailandfurtherelectrificationoftherailnetwork.

• Wewillturntherailregulatorintoapowerfulpassengerchampion.


– attractahigherproportionofstudentsfromdisadvantagedbackgrounds.

• IftheresponseoftheGovernmenttoLordBrowne’sreportisonethatLiberalDemocratscannotaccept,thenarrangementswillbemadetoenableLiberalDemocratMPstoabstaininanyvote.

• Wewillreviewsupportforpart-timestudentsintermsofloansandfees.

• Wewillpublishmoreinformationaboutthecosts,graduateearningsandstudentsatisfactionofdifferentuniversitycourses.

• Wewillensurethatpublicfundingmechanismsforuniversityresearchsafeguarditsacademicintegrity.



Thedeficitreductionprogrammetakesprecedenceoveranyoftheothermeasuresinthisagreement,andthespeedofimplementationofanymeasuresthathaveacosttothepublicfinanceswilldependondecisionstobemadeintheComprehensiveSpendingReview.

TheGovernmentfullysupportsthedevolutionofpowerstoNorthernIreland,ScotlandandWales.Asaresultofdevolution,manydecisionsmadebyUKMinistersorintheWestminsterParliamentnowapplytoEnglandonly.The NorthernIrelandExecutive,theScottishExecutiveandtheWelsh AssemblyGovernmentmaketheirownpolicyontheirdevolved issues.ThisdocumentthereforesetsouttheagreedprioritiesfortheCoalitionGovernmentinWestminster.

CabinetOffice22WhitehallLondonSW1A2WH

Publicationdate:May2010

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