Liberal Democrat members have today overwhelmingly backed plans to commit an extra £1 billion real term investment in NHS. The manifesto commitment will see the health service receive the extra £1 billion of real term funding in 2016/17 and 2017/18. It will be funded by scrapping the Tory "shares for rights” scheme, increasing the dividend tax on additional rate taxpayers and tightening the cap on pension tax relief.
By passing the Public Services Policy Motion, the party also backed moves to ensure all children will be taught by a qualified teacher and follow a core curriculum. It would reverse a Tory policy to exempt academies and free schools from employing qualified teachers and following the National Curriculum.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander said: "A comprehensive health service paid for by the taxpayer and delivered free at the point of need was a Liberal idea and is a central part of our vision of a stronger economy and a fairer society. We will raise this extra money from asking the better off to contribute a little more in tax."
Continuing Mr Alexander said: "This Liberal Democrat commitment is fully and fairly funded. It is in stark contrast to the Conservatives who have explicitly stated they will target working people on lower incomes to carry the heaviest burden. And any Labour commitment on spending is fatally undermined by their deficit amnesia.”
