25 February 2015
The issues that matter to you
What is your party's position on…
Poverty?
Conservative Party
The fastest way out of poverty is opportunities and employment. Today the UK has more people in full-time employment that at any other time. We have the fastest falling unemployment in the developed world. The welfare reforms led by Ian Duncan Smith have not been easy, but more people are in employment, more people are coming out of poverty, and the gap between the top and bottom docile has narrowed for the first time since records began.
Labour Party
While executive pay and bonuses continue to spiral, it's a scandal that 950,000 people will have to use foodbanks this year. Labour will freeze energy prices, increase the minimum wage, raise the child benefit cap, repeal the "bedroom tax", offer a million interest-free loans for home insulation, and cap rail fares.
Liberal Democrat Party
Tackling poverty and addressing wealth inequality is central to our philosophy. It requires an integrated approach that reduces inequalities in health, education, housing, and employment, as well as delivering a fair welfare system, and tackling global poverty primarily through development aid and addressing climate change.
UKIP
UKIP has numerous polices to tackle poverty, from raising the personal tax allowance; to ensuring no one on minimum wage pays any income tax at all; removing green levies from fuel bills to combat fuel poverty; scrapping the bedroom tax; ending the abuse of zero-hours contracts. We favour a simplified welfare system and a benefits cap that will not penalise or discourage claimants from seeking work, but provide security for those who are unemployed or disabled.
Green Party
We stand for social justice and would raise the minimum wage to a living wage (to reach £10 an hour by 2020), invest in affordable social housing, reverse cuts to benefits and public services, introduce a citizens' pension, and cut public transport fares.
Education?
Conservative Party
Bringing up children is the primary responsibility of the parents and a shared responsibility for teachers and local schools. For too long schools have been encouraged to be surrogate parents. We're working to strengthen families and free up schools to reintroduce academic rigour.
Labour Party
Crucial for equality of opportunity. Primary school children would be guaranteed childcare from 8am to 6pm. Free childcare for 3 and 4 year olds would be increased from 15 to 25 hours/wk. Business rate relief to independent schools would be removed unless they can show a "meaningful impact" on state schools through School Partnership Standard. Committed to giving 16 and 17-year-olds the vote.
Liberal Democrat Party
We are passionate about providing equal opportunities for everyone in education, breaking down unfair divisions betweenrich and poor, by investing in early years education, providing extra parental suppor tand expanding vocational training through apprenticeships.
UKIP
We will introduce apprenticeships that maybe taken instead of four non-core GCSEs and remove tuition fees for students taking approved degrees that fill the UK skills gap. We support the continuation of faith schools but there must be no diminution of the rigour of the National Curriculum. Religious Education must be taught in all schools reflecting the country's religious make-up.
Green Party
We believe education should be freely available and inclusive for all, providing a rounded foundation for a fulfilling life. We would abolish SATs and league tables, scrap tuition fees, increase funding for universities and further education colleges, and bring academies and free schools back under local authority control.
Euthanasia/assisted suicide?
Conservative Party
There are no plans to introduce euthanasia or assisted suicide. David Cameron has been clear that this is something he is not in favour of, however this is an extremely sensitive issue and if it ever came before parliament it would be a free vote.
Labour Party
No plans to change the existing legislation. Gordon Brown famously spoke of his opposition to any change. This would be a free vote on conscience should it be brought before parliament.
Liberal Democrat Party
There are mixed views about this policy area and we'll always allows our MPs a free vote. Nick Clegg recently said he was against assisted suicide.
UKIP
UKIP has no plans to change existing legislation on this.
Green Party
We believe people have a right to an assisted death, within a strong protective framework including: the offer of counselling, full discussion of alternatives such as palliative care, assessment by three professionals of the patient's ability to make the decision, discussion with the patient's close family, and a waiting period of at least seven days.
Human trafficking/slavery?
Conservative Party
We introduced the modern day slavery bill in order to properly tackle slavery and trafficking in the UK. A lot has been done but we recognise that more is needed to end this hideous scourge.
Labour Party
Have supported the modern slavery bill, but also campaigned tirelessly for changes to make it more effective in all circumstances. Support the crucial work of IJM, Stop The Traffik and Hope for Justice.
Liberal Democrat Party
We're committed to tackling the terrible crime of human trafficking. We've been campaigning for new laws in the EU to crack down on traffickers, including greater EU police cooperation and tougher sentences.
UKIP
Human trafficking has been fuelled by the European Union's insistence on the free movement of people between member countries. Taking back control of our borders and seeing prosecuted traffickers serve their full sentences are the first steps in tackling this detestable crime.
Green Party
Trafficking is a gross violation of human rights, and victims of trafficking should receive legal protection and support rather than be subjected to further victimisation, e.g. through summary deportation.
Better health services?
Conservative Party
The NHS will remain free at the point of delivery. It is one of the jewels in the crown of what makes Britain great. Since 2010 there have been 7,000 more doctors and 9,000 more nurses recruited to the NHS as well as record spending.
Labour Party
Labour will commit an extra £2.5bn a year over Conservative plans. Money will comefrom a new "mansion" tax, clamping down on tax avoidance, and a new tax on tobacco companies. Patients in England would get a GP appointment within 48 hours. Will end "creeping privatisation" of the NHS. Mental health will be a priority.
Liberal Democrat Party
We want to protect and improve the NHS, and are committed to improving mental health services – breaking down the stigma and reducing waiting times for appointments; investing in the prevention of disease as well as treatment; and linking increases in NHS funding to economic growth.
UKIP
UKIP will ensure the NHS is free at the point of delivery and at time of need for all UK residents. We will ensure GP surgeries are open at least one evening a week where there is demand, and abolish hospital parking charges. We will re-establish the State Enrolled Nurse and train them on wards, not in university lecture theatres. We will also introduce elected county health boards to inspect health services and take evidence from whistle-blowers.
Green Party
We would stop further privatization of the NHS and ensure proper funding, make sure NHS staff receive fair pay for their vital work, and improve public health and wellbeing.
Religious liberty?
Conservative Party
British people are free to believe what they want and to hold to their views because this is a Christian country. All faiths and none have liberty because of the values of tolerance and respect that come from Christian values.
Labour Party
Supports religious liberty and freedom of worship as laid out in Article 18 of the UN Convention. Will appoint new envoy for religious freedom. Government should be doing more to hear the concerns and expertise of British church leaders on this issue at home and abroad.
Liberal Democrat Party
A fair and free society is one where its citizens are treated equally. We therefore stand against religious prejudice and advocate for rights to religious freedom to be upheld, as outlined in Article 18 of the UN Convention on Human Rights.
UKIP
We're committed to protecting religious liberty and freedom of worship. We recognise and promote an overarching, unifying British culture, rooted in Judaeo- Christian values, which is open and inclusive to everyone, regardless of their religious background.
Green Party
Everyone has the right to follow and practise the religion of their choice without facing discrimination. Equality and antidiscrimination laws should apply to all organisations, including religious ones.
Economic growth?
Conservative Party
The UK has the fastest growing economy in the G7. The long-term economic plan of reducing our inherited debt and balancing our books is well underway. However there is still more to do to ensure that we have sound finances and aren't spending what we don't have.
Labour Party
No additional borrowing for new spending. Reintroduce 50p top rate of income tax forearnings over £150k. Cut income tax for 24 million people by bringing back the 10p rate. A tax on bankers' bonuses. Guarantee a job for adults unemployed for more than two years. Create a million new green jobs by 2025. Ban zero-hour contracts.
Liberal Democrat Party
Our economic plan is to build prosperity that's accessible for everyone, pursuing an economic recovery that's strong, open, fair, green and sustainable, and investing more in manufacturing, building projects and innovation to ensure future growth in the UK.
UKIP
UKIP would lead Britain out of the EU, which would save billions;reoccupy our vacant World Trade Organisation seat;and use the money we save to support our own people, our own business, and our own economy.
Green Party
We oppose austerity and would invest in a fairer and greener economy, creating a million jobs and training places in areas including renewable energy, public transport, insulation, social housing and waste management.
Same-sex marriage?
Conservative Party
We don't have a policy on this. The same sex marriage bill was a free vote and two thirds of the Conservative MPs voted against it.
Labour Party
No official party position and MPs were given a free vote in parliament. In a recent interview with Premier Radio, Ed Miliband underlined that a Labour government will not pass legislation forcing churches to conduct same-sex marriages
Liberal Democrat Party
As part of our commitment to living in a free and equal society, many Liberal Democrats (but not all) are in favour of same-sex marriage. However we've always stressed that religious groups won't be forced to conduct same-sex marriage ceremonies if they feel it goes against their beliefs.
UKIP
UKIP opposed same-sex marriage legislation because we felt it impinged upon the beliefs of millions of people of faith. We consider the current law to be significantly flawed. We believe it should have been subject to a full review of the role of the state in marriage.
Green Party
We strongly support marriage equality.
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