Michael Moore says the Liberal Democrats will spend less than Labour and cut less than the Conservatives to create the best future for everyone
Liberal Democrats are driven by our ambition to create opportunity for all. Today there are more jobs; taxes are down and pensions are up. None of this would have happened without Liberal Democrats in Government.
We have got the UK’s economy back on track, and we have done so making sure that those with the broadest shoulders carry the greatest burden. Now we need to keep our recovery on track and do so fairly. Liberal Democrats in government are building a stronger economy and a fairer society.
We have had to take difficult decisions in government. Labour let the welfare budget spiral out of control – it was unaffordable and unsustainable. But whilst reforming the system to make it less complex and to ensure that work pays we have also made sure that those who need support get it. In 2015/16 the UK Government will spend £2.5billion extra on social security benefits. £2billion will be spent on state pensions, £300million on disabled people and carers and nearly £200million on those who are unable to work because of sickness or unemployment.
The Liberal Democrats are delivering Home Rule for Scotland. The Scottish Parliament will have £20 billion of tax and a £3billion Scottish welfare system. It will be the third most powerful parliament in the world
We have also helped families with tight household budgets by cutting the cost of petrol; given over two million Scots an £800 tax cut by increasing the income tax personal allowance, and lifted over 260,000 Scots out of income tax altogether. And we are committed to raising the allowance further, to £12,500, to help low and middle earners. We have also ensured that the state pension keeps pace with the cost of living through our triple lock. It has risen by £800 since 2010.
The Liberal Democrats are delivering Home Rule for Scotland. The Scottish Parliament will have £20 billion of tax and a £3billion Scottish welfare system. It will be the third most powerful parliament in the world.
And we have not forgotten that whilst we get our own economy back on track, we also have a responsibility to help our neighbours around the world who are less fortunate. My International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Bill is now law, enshrining in law our commitment to spend 0.7% of our Gross National Income on international aid every year.
The aid the UK provides to the poorest countries is vital in building a safer, more stable and prosperous world. The contribution of UK taxpayers saves three million people from poverty each year and sends over ten million children to school. It has helped to eradicate smallpox, combat polio, and increase the number of people on anti-AIDS medication. The poorest are hit first and hardest by climate change and our support will help them adapt and protect our planet.
At home and around the world the Liberal Democrats are building a stronger economy and a fairer society to create opportunity for all. Liberal Democrats will anchor economy in the centre ground. By borrowing less than Labour and the SNP, we will protect our economy. By cutting less than the Tories, we will protect our public services. We will build a stronger economy and a fairer society creating opportunity for everyone.
Michael Moore Liberal Democrate MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk, where he is currently standing for re-election.
