Party pledges: Welfare ---------------------------------------------- Youth unemployment rate (aged 16-24, percent) 991,000 Highest total on record LAB 05 06 07 08 09 13 14 14.5 15 19 600,000 jobless CON 10 11 12 13 14 20 21 20.6 20 16 740,000 ------------------------------------------------ Conservative: No increase in benefits for working-age people for two years to save £3bn Withdraw Jobseeker’s Allowance from young people after six months unless they take part in “community projects” Cut housing benefits for under 21- year-olds on Jobseeker’s Allowance Benefits for pensioners, such as free bus passes, TV licences for over 75s and the winter fuel allowance protected Labour: Raise minimum wage from £6.50-an-hour to £8 by 2020 Freeze energy prices until 2017 Extend 1% cap on child benefit rises to 2017 Repeal so-called “bedroom tax Increase paid paternity leave to new fathers from two to four weeks Winter fuel allowance scrapped for wealthiest pensioners Liberal Democrats: Freeze working-age benefits only if rich are taxed as well Cut benefits for pensioners on 40% rate of income tax “Yellow card” system to deal with benefit claimants breaking rules, rather than sanctions without warning UKIP: Only pay child benefit for the first two children for new claimants Prevent anyone taking up permanent residence in Britain unless they’re able to support themselves and dependents for at least five years, and stop them receiving benefits SNP: Oppose cuts to in-work benefits. Extend paternity leave. Protect policies such as concessionary travel for older people Plaid Cymru: Oppose new means testing for child-related benefits. Continue to campaign for “living pension” for those aged 80 and over Greens: “Citizen’s Income” of £72 a week paid to all, whether in work or not. Ban “zero hours” contracts. Scrap “bedroom tax” ---------------------------------------------- Sources: Party manifestos, Office for National Statistics” words 291