Labour announce a fully-funded fare freeze in their manifesto

Ed Miliband is this morning launching Labour’s election manifesto in Manchester. Alongside the raft of policies that have already been announced, and the Budget Responsibility Lock which features on the first page of the manifesto, Labour are announcing a fully-funded fare freeze.

Today Miliband will point out that the Tories recent policy announcements, including their pledge to give the NHS an extra £8bn, are “unfunded, unfair, and unbelievable” . He will say that such “recklessness” will mean “working people” pay the price through “higher taxes” and the undermining of public services.

Miliband will instead announce Labour’s fully funded policies, the newest of which is a rail fare freeze. Under this Labour would freeze rail fares for one year, introduce a strict cap on every route for any future fare rises, and give a new legal right for passengers so they can access the cheapest ticket for their journey.

The Tories have announced a similar policy but have not explained how they’d pay for this. Labour, on the other hand, said that they would pay for this policy (which would cost over just £200million) by transferring money from within the existing transport budget through delaying projects on the A27 and A358.

This comes alongside a pledge to ensure the minimum wage will be £8 by October 2019, promising not to raise the basic or high rate of tax, NI or Vat, protecting tax credits for families and backing parents with a National Primary Childcare Service (NPCS). This Childcare Service would work with primary schools to help guarantee “wraparound” childcare.

Essentially the would function as a not-for-profit organisation, giving primary schools volunteers and a range of quality extracurricular activities before and after school. Labou say they’d pay for this through stopping funding going to the New Schools Network – which was set up to promote Free Schools.

Miliband will say: 

“I am ready, ready to put an end to the tired old idea that as long as we look after the rich and powerful we will all be OK.

“Ready to build a country that works for working people once again.

“Ready to put into practice the truth that it is only when working people succeed, that Britain succeeds.

“If you elect me your Prime Minister in just over three weeks’ time:

“I will work for that goal. I will fight for that goal. Every single day. In everything I do. In every decision I make.

“Our opponents will tell you this is as good as it gets for Britain.

“It isn’t. I know Britain can be better.

“The British people know Britain can be better.

“Let’s make it happen together.”