Lib Dem Manifesto Breakdown 2019

 

Stop Brexit

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Overview

A fairly straight forward start here. The Lib Dems have consistently said they want to revoke article 50 and stay in the EU. Should they be elected, then Brexit will be halted. The party argues that staying in the EU is the best option for the UK economy and, in terms of current deals available, there are strong arguments in favour of this approach. The previous agreement we had with the EU was better than any possible deal we’ll get now, for example. 

 

 

Our Plan for a Stronger Economy

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Overview

There are a number of potential impacts for both jobseekers and employers in this section of the manifesto, as follows. Firstly, the party want to increase investment in infrastructure, transport, energy systems, schools, and hospitals. 

‘Skills Wallets’ would be available to the workforce, meaning each individual would have up to £10,000 worth of training investment to make use of. This, combined with a free careers guidance service, could help people choose the right jobs and associated training. 

Trade Unions would be strengthened to help protect workers’ rights and the party would also introduce a payment code for companies larger than 250 employees. A more social approach for businesses would also be encouraged. Employee ownership in a company would also be something that the party want to push, as well as more of a focus on worker participation in decision making. The Lib Dems would also conduct a living wage review, set up a new worker protection agency, and make flexible working an option from day one in a new role. Expanding the apprenticeship levy would also be a priority. 

 

 

Our Plan for Better Education and Skills

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Overview

Free childcare would be available for children aged two to four. The party also wants to raise starting salaries for teachers to £30,000, and increase this by around 3% per year throughout parliament to help alleviate the current shortage. A Liberal Democrat government would also introduce an official introducing early years qualification, and reverse funding cuts to education. Further education funding would mean grants for less well off students, and a wider range of vocational education opportunities would be made available. 

 

 

Our Plan for a Green Society and Green Economy

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Overview

In their commitment to tackle climate change, the Lib Dems aim to ensure that all companies registered in the UK would be required to set targets consistent with the Paris climate agreement. The party say they would also invest in innovation energy and carbo zero solutions. Fossil fuel subsidies would be ended by 2025, while there would be more investment in the green energy sector like wind and wave power. Better and more extensive advice would be available to companies to help reduce emissions, especially in sectors that have a larger carbon footprint. 

 

 

Our Plan for Health and Social Care

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Overview

The Lib Dems want to offer more funding for health and social care, using a 1p rise in income tax. They would also tackle social care workforce issues by introducing better career pathways for care workers, as well as additional training up to NVQ level 2. Spending on preventative measures for mental health is also planned. Investment in hospitals, along with more and improved training for health professionals would also be part of the party’s plan, and bursaries for nurses would be reinstated. 

 

 

Our Plan to Build a Better Society

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Overview

This part of the manifesto has quite a large potential impact for jobseekers. Universal Credit will be reformed to better support the self-employed, waiting times for payments would be reduced. Increased working allowances, including a second worker allowance, would be implemented to attempt to end working poverty. Increased spending on education and training would be a priority as well. Work capability assessments would be ended. 

The party also wants to ensure pensions rise in line with wages, and they would recompensate women born in the 50s due to unfair pension changes. The manifesto also states they want to look into pension inequality for same-sex relationships. 

 

 

Our Plan for Freedom, Rights and Equality

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Overview

This section of the manifesto is mainly concerned with human rights and equality for all, many of which will also extend into the workplace. 

Statutory paternity leave would be increased to six weeks, and a Lib Dem government would push for a more diverse workforce, with a goal of achieving a 40% female board member ratio for FTSE 350 companies. The Equality Act would extend to all companies with more than 250 employees, and the party wants to enforce data publication protection on gender, BAME, and LGBT+ minorities.

The manifesto pledges to set public diversity targets, and encouraging name-blind recruiting in both the private and public sectors. Free unconscious bias toolkits and training would be provided to all staff. Companies that fail to participate in this program would have access to public funds cut. There would be two-year post-study working visas for international students, and EU freedom of movement would be preserved. Asylum seekers would also be able to work three months after their application. Refugees would benefit from free basic English lessons. 

 

 

Our Plan for a Better World

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Overview

Defence is at the forefront of this section of the manifesto. The party states that they would invest an additional £3 billion in the armed forces over the course fo parliament, and also offer £10,000 incentives to those that study STEM subjects to become engineers in the services. 

 

 

Summary

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Generally then, the Liberal Democrat Manifesto is very similar to Labour’s in some respects, especially when it comes to working rights, and more employee participation in both the ownership and decision making processes of the companies they work for. There’s a focus on smaller to medium-sized businesses, and both parties want to reform and better fund social care and the NHS. 

There are some differences of course. The Lib Dems, while making sure there are plenty of training and educational provisions in place for jobseekers and students, don’t go as far as Labour in offering them for free. Many of the proposals also promise big spending, much like Labour, but there is debate as to whether it’s possible to deliver such major investment without complicating the tax system. If they can, should they be voted in, then there could be some very beneficial policies in place for both employers, jobseekers, and staff.