Conservative Party Unveils 2024 Manifesto, Promising £17 Billion in Tax Cuts by 2030

London – The Conservative Party has officially launched its 2024 election manifesto, outlining a series of policy pledges aimed at securing a future for the UK, should it win the upcoming 4 July general election. The document details commitments including significant tax reductions, welfare reforms, and measures on immigration, which some observers might find challenging to accept. A social media user, identified as "Neil," encapsulated this sentiment in a recent tweet, stating, "Hard to swallow pills."

A central pillar of the Conservative platform is a pledge to deliver £17 billion in tax cuts by 2030. This includes further reductions in National Insurance for employees and the complete abolition of the main rate of National Insurance for the self-employed by the end of the next Parliament. The party also proposes a "Triple Lock Plus" for pensioners, guaranteeing that both the State Pension and the tax-free allowance rise with the highest of inflation, earnings, or 2.5%, aiming to prevent pensioners from being drawn into income tax.

The manifesto also addresses welfare reform, seeking to save £12 billion annually by the end of the next Parliament through changes to disability benefits and stricter sanctions. It proposes reforms to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments and an overhaul of the "fit note" process, shifting responsibility away from GPs. These measures are designed to encourage more people back into the workforce and ensure the benefits system remains a safety net, not a lifestyle choice.

On immigration, the Conservatives are promising a legal cap on migration, aiming to reduce numbers every year. The controversial plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda is reiterated, with a commitment to "regular rhythm of flights every month, starting this July." The party also plans to increase visa fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge, while requiring migrants to undergo health checks prior to travel.

Other key pledges include building 1.6 million homes in England, funded in part by abolishing "nutrient neutrality" rules and focusing on brownfield development. The manifesto also outlines plans for increased defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2030, a new National Service for 18-year-olds offering military or civic service, and a crackdown on "low-quality" university degrees to fund 100,000 new apprenticeships. These wide-ranging proposals are set to shape the political discourse leading up to the general election.