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David Cameron pledges tax cuts 'for 30m people' David Cameron pledges tax cuts 'for 30m people'
(35 minutes later)
David Cameron has pledged to cut taxes for thirty million people if the Conservatives win next year's election.David Cameron has pledged to cut taxes for thirty million people if the Conservatives win next year's election.
Cheering the faithful as he closes the Conservative conference, he said he wanted to raise the tax-free personal allowance from £10,500 to £12,500.Cheering the faithful as he closes the Conservative conference, he said he wanted to raise the tax-free personal allowance from £10,500 to £12,500.
He also said the threshold for the 40p income tax rate would be raised from £41,900 to £50,000 under a future Conservative government.He also said the threshold for the 40p income tax rate would be raised from £41,900 to £50,000 under a future Conservative government.
The changes would back people who "do the right thing", he said.The changes would back people who "do the right thing", he said.
Both tax reform proposals were given lengthy ovations at the conference in Birmingham.Both tax reform proposals were given lengthy ovations at the conference in Birmingham.
Increasing the personal allowance would take one million of the lowest-paid out of income tax and give a tax cut to 30 million more, Mr Cameron said.Increasing the personal allowance would take one million of the lowest-paid out of income tax and give a tax cut to 30 million more, Mr Cameron said.
Somebody working a 30-hour week on the minimum wage would pay no tax, he said: "Nothing, zero, zilch."Somebody working a 30-hour week on the minimum wage would pay no tax, he said: "Nothing, zero, zilch."
English votes
The PM also spoke of his pride in Britain after the Scottish referendum result and the D-Day anniversary.
In his speech he has also promised "English votes for English laws".In his speech he has also promised "English votes for English laws".
Mr Cameron made a "vow" to deliver the reform following the 'No' vote in the Scottish independence referendum.Mr Cameron made a "vow" to deliver the reform following the 'No' vote in the Scottish independence referendum.
The PM told the conference in Birmingham that agreeing to a referendum was the right decision. The PM insisted hat agreeing to a referendum had been the right decision: "Duck the fight, and our union could have been taken apart bit by bit."
"Duck the fight, and our union could have been taken apart bit by bit," he said.
He also said there was "no walk on by" option in the battle against the "evil" Islamic State.He also said there was "no walk on by" option in the battle against the "evil" Islamic State.
He said that if the UK did not deal with them, "they will deal with us".He said that if the UK did not deal with them, "they will deal with us".
The PM also spoke of his pride in Britain after the Scottish referendum result and the D-Day anniversary.
In an attack on Labour, Mr Cameron said the Tories were "the real party of compassion and social justice" and promised a crackdown on so-called zero hours contracts.In an attack on Labour, Mr Cameron said the Tories were "the real party of compassion and social justice" and promised a crackdown on so-called zero hours contracts.
Unveiling a plan to build 100,000 new affordable homes only available to first-time buyers, Mr Cameron said the Tories were "the party of home ownership once again".Unveiling a plan to build 100,000 new affordable homes only available to first-time buyers, Mr Cameron said the Tories were "the party of home ownership once again".
Mr Cameron also paid tribute to outgoing Tory leader William Hague, calling him "our greatest living Yorkshireman". Help for people trying to get on the housing ladder was also pledged, and Mr Cameron said people would have to "work a bit longer and save a bit more".
He is set to say funding for the NHS in England would be protected from cuts for five years if he wins the election. Mr Cameron also paid tribute to William Hague, who is stepping down as an MP next year, calling him "our greatest living Yorkshireman".
Mr Cameron was introduced to the stage by Conservative Chief Whip Michael Gove, who praised his "calmness, resolution and courage". He was given a standing ovation as he criticised what he said were "complete and utter lies" from the Labour Party on the NHS.
"If you work hard, we will cut your taxes, but only if we can keep cutting the deficit so we can afford to do that," Mr Cameron said. "For me, this is personal," he said, saying his family knows "more than most" the importance of relying on the health service.
"He also pledged help for people trying to get on the housing ladder, and said people would have to "work a bit longer and save a bit more". A future Conservative government would protect the NHS budget, he said, adding: "You can only have a strong NHS if you have a strong economy."
Turning to the issue of Europe, Mr Cameron said he would not "take no for an answer" in EU negotiations ahead of a referendum in 2017.
'Strong economy''Strong economy'
"When it comes to free movement, I will get what Britain needs," he said, asking people to judge him by his record in vetoing EU treaties and supporting a budget cut.
"Around the table in Europe they know I say what I mean and I mean what I say."
Addressing the issue of UKIP, to which two Tory MPs have recently defected, Mr Cameron said: "If you vote UKIP, that is really a vote for Labour.
"And here's a thought for you. On 7 May you could go to bed with Nigel Farage and wake up with Ed Miliband."
Guaranteed a place on the National Citizenship Service scheme for every teenager.
The NHS pledge is a repeat of the policy on which the Conservatives fought the 2010 general election.The NHS pledge is a repeat of the policy on which the Conservatives fought the 2010 general election.
Mr Cameron will say it is only possible because of the strength of the economy under his party's stewardship. Mr Cameron hailed NHS advances in DNA research - and paid tribute to the NHS treatment given to his profoundly disabled son Ivan, who died in 2009.
And he will ask voters for another five years to finish the job of recovery.
BBC political editor Nick Robinson said he had been told to expect "a really significant policy announcement" in the speech.
Mr Cameron will hail NHS advances in DNA research - making a passing reference to his profoundly disabled son Ivan, who died in 2009 - telling party members: "The next Conservative government will protect the NHS budget and continue to invest more.
"Because we know this truth - something Labour will never acknowledge and we will never forget - you can only have a strong NHS if you have a strong economy."
NHS spending has risen at just above the rate of inflation since 2010 but critics argue this amounts to a budget freeze because of increased demand for its services and higher pension costs.
The prime minster has also faced criticism from within his own party over the NHS ring-fence as it means a big squeeze on the budgets of other departments.
Mr Cameron will seek to use his final conference speech before the general election to make an emotional appeal to voters and show his party has more to offer them than austerity.
"I love this country - and my goal is this," he will say.
"To make Britain a country that everyone is proud to call home. That doesn't just mean having the fastest-growing economy, or climbing some international league table.
"I didn't come into politics to make the lines in the graphs go in the right direction. I want to help you live a better life."
UKIP defections
The party has unveiled a string of policies this week - on health, housing and pensions - that it hopes will show hard-pressed voters it is on their side.The party has unveiled a string of policies this week - on health, housing and pensions - that it hopes will show hard-pressed voters it is on their side.
Chancellor George Osborne also unveiled a two-year freeze on working-age benefits, criticised by some as an attack on the poor.Chancellor George Osborne also unveiled a two-year freeze on working-age benefits, criticised by some as an attack on the poor.
The conference has also been overshadowed to some extent by rumours about possible further defections after MP Mark Reckless's surprise decision to jump ship to UKIP.The conference has also been overshadowed to some extent by rumours about possible further defections after MP Mark Reckless's surprise decision to jump ship to UKIP.
On the eve of Mr Cameron's speech, former Conservative Party donor Arron Banks announced he was switching his allegiance to Nigel Farage's party and could stand in next May's election. On the morning of Mr Cameron's speech, former Conservative Party donor Arron Banks announced he was switching his allegiance to Nigel Farage's party and could stand in next May's election.
The insurance entrepreneur said Mr Cameron's goal of renegotiating powers back from the EU was a "myth".The insurance entrepreneur said Mr Cameron's goal of renegotiating powers back from the EU was a "myth".
House of Commons Leader William Hague hit back, saying he had never heard of Mr Banks.House of Commons Leader William Hague hit back, saying he had never heard of Mr Banks.
The prime minister's task is to banish the defections from his party's mind and give them a clear message to sell to voters on the doorstep next May.
"If our economic plan for the past four years has been about our country, and saving it from economic ruin, our plan for the next five years will be about you and your family and helping you get on," he will tell the party faithful.
'Pinch of salt''Pinch of salt'
The prime minister's task was to banish the defections from his party's mind and give them a clear message to sell to voters on the doorstep next May.
"If our economic plan for the past four years has been about our country, and saving it from economic ruin, our plan for the next five years will be about you and your family and helping you get on," he said.
Mr Cameron chose to deliver his speech from behind a lectern with notes - in clear contrast to Labour leader Ed Miliband who last week came in for some flak for forgetting key passages of his speech.Mr Cameron chose to deliver his speech from behind a lectern with notes - in clear contrast to Labour leader Ed Miliband who last week came in for some flak for forgetting key passages of his speech.
Shadow health secretary Andy Burnham said Mr Cameron's promises on the NHS "have been shown to be not worth the paper they are written on".Shadow health secretary Andy Burnham said Mr Cameron's promises on the NHS "have been shown to be not worth the paper they are written on".
"People will take David Cameron's pre-election pledges on the NHS with a large pinch of salt," he said."People will take David Cameron's pre-election pledges on the NHS with a large pinch of salt," he said.
"Last time, he promised 'real-terms increases' but then cut NHS spending in his very first year in office."Last time, he promised 'real-terms increases' but then cut NHS spending in his very first year in office.
"He promised 'no top-down reorganisation' but then brought forward the biggest ever, throwing the NHS into chaos and siphoning £3bn out of front-line care to pay for it."He promised 'no top-down reorganisation' but then brought forward the biggest ever, throwing the NHS into chaos and siphoning £3bn out of front-line care to pay for it.
"He promised no privatisation but has proceeded to put NHS services up for sale without the permission of the public. He promised to protect the NHS but its getting harder to see your GP and waiting times are going up.""He promised no privatisation but has proceeded to put NHS services up for sale without the permission of the public. He promised to protect the NHS but its getting harder to see your GP and waiting times are going up."
Are you affected by the issues raised in this story? If you would be willing to be interviewed about this by the BBC then please email your experiences and a contact phone number to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you affected by the issues raised in this story? If you would be willing to be interviewed about this by the BBC then please email your experiences and a contact phone number to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.