The Liberal Democrats have unveiled an £8bn package for health and care services in England as part of their election manifesto. During the launch, party leader

Sir Ed Davey emphasized the significance of carers, drawing from his personal experience caring for his disabled son and his mother.

The proposed funding would come from reversing tax cuts for banks and closing tax loopholes exploited by the wealthiest individuals. Key initiatives include ensuring everyone has the right to see a GP within seven days and providing free personal care for older or disabled people at home. While health is devolved, the pledges cover England, with additional funding for Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland included.

Throughout the election campaign, Sir Ed has maintained a lighthearted approach, engaging in activities like riding a bike, paddleboarding, and even sliding down a water slide. However, he struck a serious tone at the manifesto launch, titled "For a Fair Deal," highlighting the need to value and support carers to address the NHS crisis and boost the economy.

Reflecting on his own caregiving experiences, Sir Ed shared how he cared for his mother before she died of cancer, stating that this manifesto is the first in the party's history to feature a dedicated chapter on care. He emphasized that supporting carers is crucial to resolving major issues affecting the UK, such as freeing up hospital beds and investing in preventative health.

The 116-page manifesto, unveiled to the tune of Abba's "Take A Chance on Me," aims to challenge the Conservatives in southern England's "blue wall" areas. The party is contesting every seat in England, Wales, and Scotland, seeking to improve on their 2019 election result of 11 MPs.

During the manifesto launch, Sir Ed underscored the importance of taking the interests of the British people seriously, asserting that a strong presence of Liberal Democrat MPs can make a significant difference in Parliament.

The party's social care plans include:

An extra £3.7bn a year for social care

Ensuring care workers are paid at least £2 above the minimum wage

Increasing Carer's Allowance by £20 per week

Allowing carers to earn up to £183 a week in addition to caring duties and still receive the allowance, at a cost of £1.4bn a year

Sir Ed, during a visit to Thorpe Park, reiterated that the Lib Dem proposals would address the country's issues without raising income tax, national insurance, or VAT. Instead, the party plans to raise funds by closing a Capital Gains Tax loophole, increasing levies on banks, and introducing new taxes on frequent flyers and private jet flights.

Additional policies in the manifesto include:

Overhauling the water industry to tackle sewage pollution

Placing a dedicated mental health professional in every primary and secondary school

Guaranteeing that all domestic burglaries will be attended to and investigated by police. Photo by Chris McAndrew, Wikimedia commons.