What you need to know about the Lib Dem election manifesto

Yahoo News explains the key parts of the Liberal Democrats' 116-page 'fully costed' manifesto for the 2024 general election.

·Deputy News Editor

Updated 10 June 2024 at 9:32 am·4-min read

Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey during the party's General Election manifesto launch at Lumiere London. Picture date: Monday June 10, 2024. — Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey during the party's General Election manifesto launch at Lumiere London. (AP)

The Liberal Democrats have unveiled their manifesto for the general election, under the banner: 'For a fair deal'.

The 116-page manifesto sets out the party's pledges, which leader Ed Davey said were all "fully costed" and include increased investment in the NHS.

“The Conservatives have got to go,” Davey said in the manifesto's foreword. "And in so many parts of the country, we have shown that it is the Liberal Democrats who can get them out.”

Yahoo News explains what's in the manifesto:

What are the key policies?

NHS

What they say: "Liberal Democrats will give everyone a new right to see a GP within seven days, or 24 hours if it’s urgent, with the extra doctors needed to make it happen."

What it means: The party has put its £9.4bn NHS pledge at "the heart" of its manifesto - announcing investment in the health and care sector that it says will "save the NHS". This includes increasing the number of full-time equivalent GPs by 8,000, freeing up GPs’ time by giving more prescribing rights to pharmacists, lowering the wait for cancer treatment and opening walk-in mental health hubs.

The party will find this via increasing taxes for banks and closing tax avoidance loopholes for the wealthy.

Read more: Health and care at heart of Lib Dem manifesto, says Ed Davey (PA)

The economy

What they say: "We will empower people and support businesses to thrive by encouraging investment and boosting productivity."

What it means: The party says it will responsibly manage finances and work to end the cost of living crisis. They say they will introduce an emergency Home Energy Upgrade programme; tackle rising food prices through a National Food Strategy; and get mortgage rates under control through careful economic management.

It has also pledged to repair the UK's "broke relationship with Europe", by committing to join the single market.

Read more: LibDems blasted over 'abandoning route back to EU' as party launches manifesto (The National)

Education

What they say: "Liberal Democrats believe that education is the best investment we can make in our children’s potential and our country’s future."

What is means: The party has pledged to have a mental health professional in every primary and secondary school; increase funding per pupil above the rate of inflation; triple the early years pupil premium to £1,000 a year; and give every adult a £5,000 education and training grant.

Crime

What they say: "Liberal Democrats will prevent crime and build communities where people can truly feel safe."

What it means: They have pledged to restore "proper community policing"; introduce a statutory guarantee that all burglaries will be attended by the police; improve rehabilitation in prisons and on release; and ensure women and girls who are survivors of violence are properly supported in the criminal justice process.

Housing

What they say: "Liberal Democrats know that a home is a necessity and the base on which people build their lives. So we will ensure that everyone can access housing that meets their needs."

What it means: Davey has announced plans to build 10 new garden cities as part of their plan to create 380,000 new homes every year.

The party's housing plan will also introduce a new 'rent to own' model for social housing; end rough sleeping within the next Parliament; and give local authorities new powers to control second homes and short-term lets in their area including by increasing council tax “by up to 500 per cent where homes are being bought as second homes, with a stamp duty surcharge on overseas residents purchasing such properties”

Read more: Lib Dems plan 500pc council tax increase on second homes (The Telegraph)

Under 35s can live and work in Europe

What they say: “Young people already have the chance to use this scheme for many other countries across the globe. There’s simply no reason why we shouldn’t look to expand it to our European neighbours," said Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesperson Layla Moran.

What it means: The plan is an extension of the Youth Mobility Scheme, which the Liberal Democrats want to expand by negotiating with the EU to extend it on a reciprocal basis, increasing the age limit from 30 to 35, abolishing the fees for these visas, and extending the length of visas from two to three years.

Read more: Liberal Democrat manifesto to pledge under-35s can live, study and work in EU despite Brexit (The Independent)

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