Candidates set out their policy plans for the Government
RISHI Sunak and Liz Truss set out their vision at the hustings for a government under their leadership:
» ECONOMIC AMBITION: Ms Truss wants to “turbocharge” the economy by removing all EU laws from the statute books by the end of 2023. She says the UK cannot continue with relatively low levels of growth.
“I do not think we can carry on with business as usual. We need to do things differently. We need a bold plan for growth,” she said.
“Whether it’s unleashing the tens of billions of investment we can get when we get rid of the EU’S investment rules and turbocharge industries like aerospace, which is so important to this region, I will get that done.”
Mr Sunak said the main challenge for the economy would be keeping inflation down and he would not pursue policies which made it worse or last longer.
“Inflation is the enemy that makes everyone poorer,” he said. “It eats into people’s hard-earned savings, their pensions. It pushes up mortgage rates, and I will always support those who most need our help.”
He said a big part of his plans for the economy would involve incentivising businesses to invest in research and development, which was “how you drive growth. It’s happening right here (in Cheltenham) with fusion technology and the cyber campus.”
» TAX CUTS: Mr Sunak said he would cut VAT on energy bills, along with income tax. “This autumn and winter a Conservative government that I’m privileged to lead will be proud not just to cut VAT on energy bills but to go further to support the most vulnerable in society.
“I will cut income tax. I want to make sure hard work always pays.”
Ms Truss said she would also cut taxes and reverse the increase in national insurance and keep corporation tax at its current level.
“We should never have done it. It was against our manifesto commitment. We can still afford to pay for social care and the NHS by taking out of general taxation and be able to pay down our debt, starting within three years.”
» COST OF LIVING: Mr Sunak said he would provide more direct support to the more vulnerable in society such as low earners and pensioners. Ms Truss said she would make sure people kept more of the money they earned and place a moratorium on the green energy levy so that people could immediately save money on their fuel bills.
» TRUST IN POLITICS: Both candidates said regaining trust would be among their top priorities as PM. Ms Truss said she would do so by “telling it as it is” and not making promises she cannot keep. Mr Sunak said he would “lead from the front”.
» OTHER ISSUES: Ms Truss said she would radically change the planning system, while Sunak put forward the idea of issuing £10 fines to those who missed NHS appointments.