Editing Conservative Party (UK) (section)

==== 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>