Editing Conservative Party (UK) (section)

=== Economic policy ===
{{Conservatism UK|Parties}}
The Conservative Party believes that a [[free market]] and individual achievement are the primary factors behind economic prosperity. A leading economic theory advocated by Conservatives is [[supply-side economics]], which holds that reduced income tax rates increase growth and enterprise (although a reduction in the budget deficit has sometimes taken priority over cutting taxes).<ref>In the recession year of 1981, for example, the Conservatives raised taxes to reduce the budget deficit, with the aim of a reduction of interest rates.</ref> The party focuses on the [[social market economy]], promoting a free market for competition with social balance to create fairness. This has included education reform, vocational skills reform, expanding [[Universal child care|free childcare]], curbs on the banking sector, enterprise zones to revive regions in Britain, and grand and extensive infrastructure projects, such as high-speed rail.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/d45ed5c6-842b-11e3-b72e-00144feab7de|title=The death and life of Britain's market economy|date=24 January 2014|newspaper=Financial Times|access-date=18 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190218201956/https://www.ft.com/content/d45ed5c6-842b-11e3-b72e-00144feab7de|archive-date=18 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=16 August 2011 |title=New 'enterprise zones' announced around England |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-14552193 |access-date=22 September 2023 |archive-date=2 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002220319/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-14552193 |url-status=live }}</ref>

One concrete economic policy of recent years has been opposition to the European single currency, the [[euro]]. With the growing [[Euroscepticism]] within his party, [[John Major]] negotiated a British opt-out in the 1992 [[Maastricht Treaty]], which enabled the UK to stay within the European Union without adopting the single currency. All subsequent Conservative leaders have positioned the party firmly against the adoption of the [[euro]].

The 50% top rate of [[UK income tax|income tax]] was reduced to 45% by the Conservative–Liberal Democrat coalition.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-17455373 |title=Budget 2012: Top tax rate cut from 50p to 45p |website=BBC |date=21 March 2012 |access-date=1 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720072103/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-17455373 |archive-date=20 July 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> Alongside a reduction in tax and commitments to keep taxation low, the Conservative Party has significantly reduced government spending, through the [[United Kingdom government austerity programme|austerity programme]] which commenced in 2010, subsequent to the [[2008 financial crisis]]. In 2019 and during the election campaign that year, Boris Johnson signalled an end to austerity with increased public expenditure, in areas including healthcare, education, transport, welfare, and the police.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-03-11 |title=Boris Johnson has ended the age of austerity – but his party isn |url=https://www.hull.ac.uk/work-with-us/more/media-centre/news/2021/boris-johnson-has-ended-the-age-of-austerity-but-his-party-isnt-on-board.aspx |access-date=2024-06-13 |website=www.hull.ac.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-09-04 |title=Chancellor Sajid Javid declares end of austerity |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-49577250 |access-date=2024-06-13 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB |archive-date=13 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240613225011/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-49577250 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Jobs and welfare policy ====
One of the Conservatives' key policy goals in 2010 was to reduce the number of people unemployed, and increase the number of people in the workforce, by strengthening apprenticeships, skills and job training.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reforming the Apprenticeships Programme in England (2010–2015) |url=https://www.centreforpublicimpact.org/case-study/reforming-apprenticeships-programme-england-2010-2015 |access-date=2024-06-20 |website=Centre For Public Impact (CPI) |archive-date=20 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240620205709/https://www.centreforpublicimpact.org/case-study/reforming-apprenticeships-programme-england-2010-2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> Between 2010 and 2014, all claimants of [[Incapacity Benefit]] were moved onto a new benefit scheme, [[Employment and Support Allowance]], which was then subsumed into the [[Universal Credit]] system alongside other welfare benefits in 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.gov.uk/incapacity-benefit|title=Incapacity Benefit|work=GOV.UK|access-date=30 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181201005301/https://www.gov.uk/incapacity-benefit|archive-date=1 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/universal-credit-for-disabled-people#when-will-i-move-from-esa-onto-universal-credit|title=Universal Credit for sick and disabled people|access-date=30 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702203116/https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/universal-credit-for-disabled-people#when-will-i-move-from-esa-onto-universal-credit|archive-date=2 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06smsg7|title=BBC Radio 4 – You and Yours, Universal Credit and electric planes|website=BBC|date=23 November 2018 |access-date=30 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181201005927/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06smsg7|archive-date=1 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The Universal Credit system came under immense scrutiny following its introduction. Shortly after her appointment to the [[Department for Work and Pensions]], the then Secretary of State [[Amber Rudd]] acknowledged there were real problems with the Universal Credit system, especially the wait times for initial payments and the housing payments aspect of the combined benefits.<ref name=RiNov18>{{Cite news|last=Rigby|first=Beth|author-link=Beth Rigby|url=https://news.sky.com/story/universal-credit-amber-rudd-acknowledges-real-problems-with-welfare-system-11560728|title=Universal Credit: Amber Rudd acknowledges real problems with welfare system|work=Sky News|access-date=30 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181201005307/https://news.sky.com/story/universal-credit-amber-rudd-acknowledges-real-problems-with-welfare-system-11560728|archive-date=1 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Rudd pledged specifically to review and address the uneven impact of Universal Credit implementation on economically disadvantaged women, which had been the subject of numerous reports by the Radio 4 ''[[You and Yours]]'' programme and others.<ref name=RiNov18/>

Until 1999 Conservatives opposed the creation of a [[national minimum wage]], as they believed it would cost jobs, and businesses would be reluctant to start business in the UK from fear of high labour costs.<ref>{{cite web |title=Is the National Minimum Wage Safe Under a Conservative Government Poll? |url=http://www.general-election-2010.co.uk/is-the-national-minimum-wage-safe-under-a-conservative-government-poll.html |website=General-election-2010.co.uk |date=5 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111140655/http://www.general-election-2010.co.uk/is-the-national-minimum-wage-safe-under-a-conservative-government-poll.html |archive-date=11 January 2012}}</ref> However the party have since pledged support and in the [[July 2015 United Kingdom budget|July 2015 budget]], Chancellor George Osborne announced a [[National Living Wage]] of £9/hour.<ref name="measures">{{cite web|title=Budget 2015: Osborne commits to national living wage|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-33437115|website=[[BBC News]]|access-date=8 July 2015|date=8 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716164651/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-33437115|archive-date=16 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The National Minimum Wage in 2024 was £11.44 for those over 21.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates|title=National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates|work=GOV.UK|access-date=30 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130817033836/https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates|archive-date=17 August 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> The party support, and have implemented, the restoration of the link between pensions and earnings, and seek to raise retirement age from 65 to 67 by 2028.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/pensions/state-pension/changes-to-state-pension-age/|title=Changes to State Pension Age {{!}} Age UK|website=www.ageuk.org.uk|access-date=30 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181201005409/https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/pensions/state-pension/changes-to-state-pension-age/|archive-date=1 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Transport and infrastructure policy ====
The Conservatives have invested in public transport and infrastructure, aimed to promoting economic growth.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Transport Investment Strategy |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5f623c67e90e072bbae22c29/Transport_investment_strategy.pdf |journal=Department for Transport }}</ref> This has included rail (including [[high-speed rail]]), electric vehicles, bus networks, and [[Sustainable transport|active transport]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=7 infrastructure takeaways from the 2024 Conservative Party manifesto |url=https://www.ice.org.uk/news-insight/news-and-blogs/ice-blogs/the-infrastructure-blog/conservatives-2024-manifesto-infra-highlights |website=Institution of Civil Engineers |access-date=4 July 2024 |archive-date=4 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240704001606/https://www.ice.org.uk/news-insight/news-and-blogs/ice-blogs/the-infrastructure-blog/conservatives-2024-manifesto-infra-highlights |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2020 new funding for active travel infrastructure was announced by the Conservatives.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The second cycling and walking investment strategy (CWIS2) |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-second-cycling-and-walking-investment-strategy/the-second-cycling-and-walking-investment-strategy-cwis2 |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref> The party's stated aim was for England to be a "great walking and cycling nation" and for half of all journeys in towns and cities being walked or cycled by 2030. The plan was accompanied by £2 billion in additional funding over the following five years for cycling and walking. The plan also introduced new inspectorate, known as [[Active Travel England]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-01 |title=Active Travel England |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/active-travel-england |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=GOV.UK |language=en |archive-date=4 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240704214611/https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/active-travel-england |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=UK Government Launches Active Travel England {{!}} CIHT |url=https://www.ciht.org.uk/news/uk-government-launches-active-travel-england/ |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=www.ciht.org.uk}}</ref>

In 2021 the Conservatives announced a white paper that would transform the operation of the railways. The rail network will be partly renationalised, with infrastructure and operations brought together under the state-owned public body [[Great British Railways]].<ref name="BBC News2">{{Cite news |date=21 September 2020 |title=Rail franchises axed as help for train firms extended |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-54232015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519220012/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-54232015 |archive-date=19 May 2021 |access-date=19 May 2021 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> On 18 November 2021, the government announced the biggest ever public investment in Britain's rail network costing £96&nbsp;billion and promising quicker and more frequent rail connections in the North and Midlands: the [[Integrated Rail Plan for the North and Midlands|Integrated Rail Plan]] includes substantially improved connections North-South as well as East-West and includes three new high speed lines.<ref name="Gov">{{Cite news |date=18 November 2021 |title=Integrated Rail Plan: biggest ever public investment in Britain's rail network will deliver faster, more frequent and more reliable journeys across North and Midlands |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/integrated-rail-plan-biggest-ever-public-investment-in-britains-rail-network-will-deliver-faster-more-frequent-and-more-reliable-journeys-across-no |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118113317/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/integrated-rail-plan-biggest-ever-public-investment-in-britains-rail-network-will-deliver-faster-more-frequent-and-more-reliable-journeys-across-no |archive-date=18 November 2021 |access-date=18 November 2021 |work=Department of Transport |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-10-04 |title=Rail industry response to Conservative Party announcement about Great British Railways |url=https://media.raildeliverygroup.com/news/rail-industry-response-to-government-announcement-about-great-british-railways |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=Rail Delivery Group News |language=en-GB |archive-date=21 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221221536/https://media.raildeliverygroup.com/news/rail-industry-response-to-government-announcement-about-great-british-railways |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Energy and climate change policy ====
[[David Cameron]] brought several '[[Green conservatism|green]]' issues to the forefront of his 2010 campaign. These included proposals designed to impose a tax on workplace car parking spaces, a halt to airport growth, a tax on cars with exceptionally poor petrol mileage, and restrictions on car advertising. Many of these policies were implemented in the Coalition—including the '[[The Green Deal|Green Deal]]'.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/3306887/David-Cameron-pledges-radical-green-shake-up.html |url-access=subscription |first1=Andrew |last1=Pierce |work=The Daily Telegraph |title=David Cameron pledges radical green shake-up |date=14 September 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009083702/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/3306887/David-Cameron-pledges-radical-green-shake-up.html |archive-date= Oct 9, 2023 }}<!-- Old link was https://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml;jsessionid=ND2RNWDNYBJL3QFIQMGCFFOAVCBQUIV0?xml=/earth/2007/09/14/eacameron114.xml -->{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> A law was passed in 2019 that [[Greenhouse gas emissions|UK greenhouse gas emissions]] will be [[net zero]] by 2050.<ref name=":3">{{cite web |title=UK net zero target |url=https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainers/net-zero-target |first1=Marcus |last1=Shepheard |access-date=20 November 2020 |website=Institute for Government| date=20 April 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240626222451/https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/article/explainer/uk-net-zero-target |archive-date=26 June 2024 }}</ref> The UK was the first major economy to embrace a legal obligation to achieve net zero carbon emissions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 July 2021 |title=UK was First Major Economy to Embrace a Legal Obligation to Achieve Net Zero Carbon Emissions by 2050 |url=https://www.climatescorecard.org/2021/07/uk-was-first-major-economy-to-embrace-a-legal-obligation-to-achieve-net-zero-carbon-emissions-by-2050/ |first1=Gwenyth |last1=Wren |first2=Thomas |last2=Christensen |access-date=21 September 2023 |website=Climate Scorecard |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2019 the Conservatives became the first national government in the world to officially declare a climate emergency (second in the UK after the [[Scottish National Party|SNP]]).<ref name=":3" /> In November 2020 the Conservatives announced a 10-point plan for a 'green industrial revolution', with [[Sustainable business|green enterprises]], an end to the sale of petrol and diesel cars, quadruple the amount of [[Wind power in the United Kingdom|offshore wind power]] capacity within a decade, fund a variety of emissions-cutting proposals, and spurn a proposed [[Green recovery|green post-COVID-19 recovery]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Harvey |first1=Fiona |author-link=Fiona Harvey |date=17 November 2020 |title=The key areas of Boris Johnson's 'green industrial revolution' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/17/the-key-areas-of-boris-johnsons-green-industrial-revolution |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124141019/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/17/the-key-areas-of-boris-johnsons-green-industrial-revolution |archive-date=24 November 2020 |access-date=25 November 2020 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> In 2021, the Conservatives announced plans to cut [[Greenhouse gas emissions by the United Kingdom|carbon emissions]] by 78% by 2035.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 April 2021 |title=Government announces 78% climate emissions cut by 2035 – "historic milestone on path to net zero UK" |url=http://www.zemo.org.uk/news-events/news,government-announces-78-climate-emissions-cut-by-2035-historic-milestone-on_4211.htm |access-date=21 September 2023 |website=Zemo Partnership |language=en}}</ref>