ALL the main English political parties have now published their general election manifestos which outline their promises for the next Parliament.

The results of opinion polls so far only reveal one thing for sure – that the result of the vote on Thursday May 7 is likely to be very close.

The most likely result seems to be a hung parliament, where no party has overall control, and every vote will count especially in marginal constituencies which will be key battlegrounds.

Here is our round up of the key election pledges from the national parties who are at the forefront of the campaign in the Black Country and Worcestershire.

 

Conservative

Spend an extra £8bn on the NHS by 2020.

Extend the right to buy to housing association tenants in England.

Cancel the budget deficit by the end of the next Parliament.

Get people working 30 hours on minimum wage out of income tax.

30 hours free child care for working parents of 3 and 4 year olds.

A referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU.

 

Labour

Cut the deficit and balance the books as soon as possible.

A tax on properties worth more than £2m to pay for an extra £2.5bn for the NHS.

Increase the minimum wage to £8 per hour by 2019.

NO increase in VAT, National Insurance or the basic and higher rates of income tax.

Childcare for primary school children from 8am to 6pm.

Freeze energy bills until 2017 and more powers for energy regulator.

 

 

Liberal Democrats

Balance the budget through cuts and tax on high earners.

Raise income tax threshold to £12,500.

Guarantee education funding until age 19.

Invest £8bn in NHS.

Five new laws to fight climate change and protect the environment.

 

UK Independence Party

Quick referendum on Britain’s membership of EU.

More immigration control with a points-based system.

An extra £12bn on NHS.

Cut foreign aid by £9bn.

6,000 new jobs in armed services, police, prison service and border control.

 

Green Party

End austerity and pay public sector workers the living wage.

Ensure climate change in no more than two degrees by working with other countries.

£85bn for home insulation, flood defences and renewable electricity generation.

Half-a-million social homes by 2020 with rent controls.

Nationalise the railways.