THE Liberal Democrats have today published their full manifesto for the upcoming election.
They vowed a 50billion ‘Remain bonus’ if Britain stays in the EU to fund public services, and promised to freeze all peak train fares.
Jo Swinson’s party also says they will raise 35billion by putting a penny on income tax, and will hike taxes on flying to help save the planet.
After a flurry of announcements, HOAR Online looked at some of their pledges to see if the experts reckon they would work.
Claim:
Stopping Brexit would add give the government 50 billion more for the government to spend by 2024/25.
Reality:
Fact-checking charity Full Fact said the figure is a fair assessment based on current forecasts, but the actual amount is “highly uncertain” and should come with a health warning.
They said it was “far too early to categorically say” that there would be an extra 50billion to spare.
It uses a figure that claims GDP would be 1.9 per cent higher if we Remain in the EU, but it doesn’t factor in inflation.
The IFS said earlier that “there is a lot of uncertainty over such an estimate” although concluded it’s “plausible” to say so for sure.
Claim:
Legalising cannabis and making a regulated market would raise 1.49 billion by 2024/25 which could then fund the police and youth services.
Reality:
International development organisation Health Poverty Action say the policy could earn the treasury 1bn a year in tax.
Claim:
Build 300,000 homes a year by 2024, including 100,000 social homes.
Reality:
The Conservatives had already promised to build 300,000 homes a year, but so far failed to do so.
The Housing Builders Federation say the target is challenging, and would need more funds for housing associations and support for the private sector.
Claim:
Every single adult would get a 10,000 skills wallet, which can be spent on approved education and training courses to train them for the jobs of the future.
Reality:
Further colleges body the Collab Group say the focus should instead be on improving skill levels, with chief executive Ian Pretty saying it is unclear at this stage whether this policy will truly provide a mechanism for doing this.
Claim:
Help those on zero-hour contracts by boosting the minimum wage for it by 20 per cent.
Reality:
The Institute for Fiscal Studies say it might lead to people instead being offered regular contracts, but more people seeking out the contracts for the flexibility.
This could lead to fewer jobs going on the contracts, but with more people wanting them.
Claim:
Improve the rail network by moving to entirely ultra-low-emission technology (electric or hydrogen) by 2035.
Reality:
The Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen say the move would make trains even worse, with hydrogen both slower and taking up more space.
