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General election 2019: Boris Johnson vows to 'forge a new Britain' General election 2019: Boris Johnson vows to 'forge a new Britain'
(32 minutes later)
The Conservatives will "get Brexit done" and "forge a new Britain", Boris Johnson has said as he launched the party's election manifesto.The Conservatives will "get Brexit done" and "forge a new Britain", Boris Johnson has said as he launched the party's election manifesto.
He vowed to train 50,000 new nurses and create 50 million more GP appointments. He promised 50,000 more nurses in England and the creation of 50 million more GP appointments.
Other "guarantees" include tighter immigration controls, more money to fix potholes, zero-net carbon emissions by 2050 and no increases in income tax and VAT rates. Other "guarantees" include tighter immigration controls and not to increase rates of income tax, national insurance and VAT.
The 59-page manifesto comes 18 days before the general election.The 59-page manifesto comes 18 days before the general election.
Speaking at its launch in Telford, the prime minister said the choice facing the country in this "closely fought" election had "never been starker". Speaking at its launch in Telford, Shropshire, the prime minister said the choice facing the country in this "closely fought" contest had "never been starker".
He said his party would end the Brexit paralysis that had "held back" the UK for three years. "Get Brexit done and we can focus our hearts and minds on the priorities of the British people," he added.
Leaving the EU at the end of January with his withdrawal agreement would release billions in "pent-up" business investment, he added.
"Get Brexit done and we can restore confidence and certainty and business and families," Mr Johnson said. "Get Brexit done and we can focus our hearts and minds on the priorities of the British people."
The manifesto, which the PM described as a "partial blueprint" for the future of the country, promises 20,000 more police officers and to "level up" schools funding.The manifesto, which the PM described as a "partial blueprint" for the future of the country, promises 20,000 more police officers and to "level up" schools funding.
The major new announcement is a plan to train 50,000 new nurses and to restore student nursing bursaries scrapped in 2016. The policy is forecast to cost £760m in 2020-21, rising to £880m in 2023-4. Nursing maintenance bursaries scrapped in 2016 will be restored, at an estimated cost of £760m in 2020-21, rising to £880m in 2023-4.
Other policies include:Other policies include:
BBC assistant political editor Norman Smith said it was a pared-back, "take no chances" document, with no firm commitment on reform of social care - an issue which bedevilled Theresa May during the 2017 campaign. BBC assistant political editor Norman Smith said it was a pared-back, "take-no-chances" manifesto.
The PM has dropped a plan to lift income tax thresholds for middle-earners to £80,000, announced during the Tory leadership campaign, Johnson saying this "was not the time" for such a move. It rules out any changes to the Hunting Act, which bans the hunting of foxes and others wild mammals with dogs in England and Wales.
A plan to lift income tax thresholds for middle-earners to £80,000, announced during the Tory leadership campaign, has been dropped, with Mr Johnson saying this "was not the time" for such a move.
BrexitBrexit
The prime minister is promising to "get Brexit done" by the end of January, by bringing back the Withdrawal Agreement Bill to Parliament before 25 December and allow the UK to "turn the page from the dither, delay and division of recent years". The prime minister promised to bring back the Withdrawal Agreement Bill to Parliament before 25 December.
The Conservatives want MPs to ratify the prime minister's Brexit deal before the UK is due to leave the EU on 31 January. After this there would be a "transition period" - during which the UK would continue to follow EU rules while the two sides try to work out a permanent trade deal.The Conservatives want MPs to ratify the prime minister's Brexit deal before the UK is due to leave the EU on 31 January. After this there would be a "transition period" - during which the UK would continue to follow EU rules while the two sides try to work out a permanent trade deal.
The manifesto rules out extending the transition period beyond the 31 December 2020 deadline.
The House of Commons approved the Withdrawal Agreement Bill in principle in October. But it has to be reintroduced because Parliament was dissolved ahead of the election on 12 December.The House of Commons approved the Withdrawal Agreement Bill in principle in October. But it has to be reintroduced because Parliament was dissolved ahead of the election on 12 December.
Mr Johnson said the Conservatives were the only party able to form the next government which would honour the result of the 2016 referendum.
ParkingParking
The manifesto promises free hospital parking in England for people with disabilities, frequent patients, the gravely ill, families of long-stay patients, carers and NHS staff working night shifts.The manifesto promises free hospital parking in England for people with disabilities, frequent patients, the gravely ill, families of long-stay patients, carers and NHS staff working night shifts.
The Conservative Party says this will be funded by £78m per year, which it claims is new funding for providing extra parking capacity, or compensation for lost fees. The Conservative Party says £78m per year will be provided, which it claims is new funding for extra parking capacity, or compensation for lost fees.
Labour wants to make hospital parking free for everyone in England, in line with Wales and Scotland.Labour wants to make hospital parking free for everyone in England, in line with Wales and Scotland.
'Care consensus''Care consensus'
The manifesto promises £1bn in extra funding for care for the elderly over the next five years. The manifesto promises £1bn per year in extra funding for care for the elderly over the next five years.
The PM said he was willing to talk to other parties to come up with a long-term solution for funding the system.The PM said he was willing to talk to other parties to come up with a long-term solution for funding the system.
He said his priorities were to ensure dignity in old age and to prevent anyone from having to sell their home to pay for care.
PensionsPensions
The Conservative Party is promising to maintain the so-called "triple lock" on the UK state pension - meaning it will rise the by the rate of average earnings, inflation or 2.5%, whichever is higher - and continuing the older person's free bus pass.The Conservative Party is promising to maintain the so-called "triple lock" on the UK state pension - meaning it will rise the by the rate of average earnings, inflation or 2.5%, whichever is higher - and continuing the older person's free bus pass.
Chancellor Sajid Javid told the Sophy Ridge on Sunday show on Sky News that the manifesto would be accompanied by the "most detailed and most transparent costings ever published in British electoral history". Chancellor Sajid Javid told the Sophy Ridge on Sunday show on Sky News the manifesto had the "most detailed and most transparent costings ever published in British electoral history".
But Paul Johnson, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies think tank, said the Conservatives' position on taxes could "come back to bite" the party, as it could limit the ability to deal with growing financial pressures on the NHS from an ageing society. But Paul Johnson, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies think tank, said the Conservatives' position on taxes could "come back to bite" the party, as it could limit the ability to deal with costs to the NHS from an ageing society.
What about trains?
Meanwhile, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced a Tory government would legislate to make sure rail services continue to operate even when strikes occur.
He criticised a series of strikes planned by rail workers in the run-up to Christmas, saying passengers were being "held to ransom".
What are the parties promising you?What are the parties promising you?
Here's a concise guide to where the parties stand on key issues like Brexit, education and the NHS.Here's a concise guide to where the parties stand on key issues like Brexit, education and the NHS.
What are other parties pledging on Brexit, taxes and childcare?What are other parties pledging on Brexit, taxes and childcare?
Brexit: Labour is promising to negotiate a new Brexit deal within three months, based on close alignment with the EU. This would then be put to the public in a legally binding referendum, alongside the option of staying in the EU.Brexit: Labour is promising to negotiate a new Brexit deal within three months, based on close alignment with the EU. This would then be put to the public in a legally binding referendum, alongside the option of staying in the EU.
The Liberal Democrats have vowed to cancel Brexit if elected as a majority government, or otherwise campaign for a referendum with the option of staying in the EU.The Liberal Democrats have vowed to cancel Brexit if elected as a majority government, or otherwise campaign for a referendum with the option of staying in the EU.
The SNP wants Scotland to stay in the EU and the Brexit Party says the UK should leave immediately without an exit deal, but negotiate a free trade agreement with the EU.The SNP wants Scotland to stay in the EU and the Brexit Party says the UK should leave immediately without an exit deal, but negotiate a free trade agreement with the EU.
Taxes: Labour has set out plans to raise income tax for the top 5% of earners and reverse cuts to corporation tax in order to increase public spending.Taxes: Labour has set out plans to raise income tax for the top 5% of earners and reverse cuts to corporation tax in order to increase public spending.
The Liberal Democrats would bring in a 1p rise in income tax to spend on health and social care.The Liberal Democrats would bring in a 1p rise in income tax to spend on health and social care.
The Brexit Party wants to scrap corporation tax for companies earning less than £10,000 a year, ditch VAT for fuel bills and abolish inheritance tax.The Brexit Party wants to scrap corporation tax for companies earning less than £10,000 a year, ditch VAT for fuel bills and abolish inheritance tax.
Childcare: Labour has pledged that within five years two, three and four-year-olds will be entitled to 30 hours of free pre-school education per week.Childcare: Labour has pledged that within five years two, three and four-year-olds will be entitled to 30 hours of free pre-school education per week.
The Lib Dems are offering to fund 35 hours of childcare, 48 weeks a year for children aged two to four.The Lib Dems are offering to fund 35 hours of childcare, 48 weeks a year for children aged two to four.
Do you have any questions about the election?Do you have any questions about the election?
In some cases your question will be published, displaying your name and location as you provide it, unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published. Please ensure you have read the terms and conditions.In some cases your question will be published, displaying your name and location as you provide it, unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published. Please ensure you have read the terms and conditions.
Use this form to ask your question:Use this form to ask your question: