A stronger economy and stronger borders. Those were the priorities at the Conservative Party conference this week as we set out a series of policies on the issues people are most concerned about.
As a country, like any household, we need to live within our means. Today we face a record tax burden set to increase. Spending will total £1.5 trillion a year but despite never having been taxed more, increasing amounts are being borrowed to fund it. As I pointed out in media interviews, over £100 billion a year is being spent paying interest on government debt – twice the amount that is spent on defence.
This is simply not sustainable. It is leading to a doom loop of higher taxes, higher spending, and higher borrowing.
We need to be fiscally responsible, control spending, and reform public services to deliver better value for money. That’s why we set out plans to save £47 billion – half would come from welfare reform to help more people into work and restrict benefits to UK citizens. We would also reduce the size of the civil service which expanded significantly due to Covid and now totals 517,000 people and bring it back to 2016 levels of 384,000 – saving £8 billion.
To support aspiration and incentivise young people into work a first jobs bonus would give new workers £5,000 to use for the deposit on buying a home or for future savings.
Pubs, shops, and other hospitality businesses are facing significant cost pressures which has seen over 100,000 jobs lost in the sector. A particular issue is the Labour government has almost doubled their business rate bill with an average pub paying £9,600 now compared to £4,000 previously. So we will use some of the savings we have identified to provide 100 per cent business rate relief for 250,000 retail, hospitality, and leisure businesses.
High energy prices are one of the big costs facing households and businesses. Cheaper energy must be a priority to make us more competitive and help people. As part of a stronger economy we would scrap the Carbon Tax and cut the average household electricity bill by a fifth - £165 off the typical bill or around £5,100 for a restaurant.
Along with the economy, we need a plan for stronger borders. That starts with having a robust legal framework to allow us to determine who comes into our country.
Back in the 1950s the European Convention on Humans Rights was drafted by British lawyers. No one has a problem with the rights in the original charter - the issue is how it has been enforced and had its meaning twisted. Too often it is used as a block on deportations, used against our military veterans, and as a barrier to sentencing for serious crimes and public order.
That is why after detailed legal assessment Kemi Badenoch has announced a future Conservative Government will leave the ECHR and repeal the Human Rights Act. That will allow us to deal with illegal immigration and the small boats, protect veterans, and ensure serious offenders are punished.
Contrary to some claims, none of the rights that we cherish will be lost- they do not come from the ECHR. Parliament has legislated over centuries to reflect and protect our freedoms and they will endure.
So after a few days in Manchester, our plans are focused on a stronger economy and with a proper plan to strengthen our borders. Those are the issues that are front and centre and we are the only ones with serious proposals to deliver on them.
