Alcohol

ALLIANCE PARTY "Kieran McCarthy MLA said: "I believe that we should be setting a minimum pricing of alcohol in Northern Ireland to protect people's health and to reduce the financial cost of the consequences of binge drinking. We must look at a wide range of measures to tackle this problem but reducing the availability of cheap drinks is a straightforward option that could be done relatively simply." Source: Alliance Party http://allianceparty.org/article/2014/0009353/mccarthy-supports-plans-for-a-minimum-pricing-of-alcohol

CONSERVATIVE "We do not yet have enough concrete evidence that its introduction would be effective in reducing harms associated with problem drinking, without penalising people who drink responsibly. We will tackle the most egregious examples of cheap alcohol by banning sales of alcohol below the level of alcohol duty plus value added tax." Home Office Minister, Jeremy Browne. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10185563/David-Camerons-plan-for-minimum-alcohol-price-is-scrapped.html

DUP "Support measures to reduce alcohol consumption including an end to promotions such as ‘happy hours’, banning the sale of alcohol below cost price and ensuring any introduction of minimum pricing is targeted at an appropriate level to impact on binge drinkers" - Source: DUP http://www.mydup.com/policies/a-healthier-ni

GREEN PARTY Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas has welcomed the Government's decision to introduce a minimum price of at least 40p per unit of alcohol in England and Wales in order to tackle the drinking culture. Source: Green Party, http://greenparty.org.uk/news/caroline-lucas-welcomes-government-support-for-minimum-alcohol-pricing.html

LABOUR "A Labour Government elected in 2015 would implement key public health favoured measures to address alcohol misuse, including minimum unit pricing and ending sports sponsorship by alcohol companies, according to leaked documents obtained by The Mail on Sunday." Source: http://www.alcoholpolicy.net/2014/05/labour-would-introduce-minimum-pricing-and-sports-sponsorship-according-to-leaked-document-.html and http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2619655/Labours-nanny-state-plan-drinkers-smokers-unhealthy-eaters-sparks-revolt-party-Red-Ed-says-FORCE-fit.html

PLAID CYMRU "We want to see the introduction of stricter controls on how drinks are advertised and marketed, greater support for victims and witnesses to help people feel safer in their communities and a political commitment to restorative justice and community sentencing where appropriate." Source: Plaid Cymru website.

SNP "Action on alcohol - We all know that cheap booze is a root cause of too much crime and anti-social behaviour. Our plans for minimum pricing will reduce the flow of the cheap alcohol and make our town centres and neighbourhoods safer and more pleasant places to live." Source: Scottish National Party website.

UKIP UKIP opposes ‘plain paper packaging’ for tobacco products and minimum pricing of alcohol. Source: UKIP website http://www.ukip.org/policies_for_people

ASBOs

CONSERVATIVE A Conservative government would introduce banning orders and extremism disruption orders - or EXDOs. A banning order could be used to outlaw a group that incites hatred or causes fear. EXDOs are based on ASBOs. They would stop "disruptive" individuals from speaking in public or holding a position of authority. There would also be a new law setting out victims' rights. Source: BBC News http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29464852

DUP "I have always been very sceptical of the real point of Asbos as for too many offenders they are nothing but a badge of honour, They are nothing more than a gentle request to halt anti-social activity or, reluctantly, an offender will have to be charged and prosecuted. I can only assume police have seen the disastrous waste of money these orders are and are planning on dispensing with them entirely." - DUP Assemblyman Lord Morrow

GREEN PARTY ASBOS set a dangerous precedent for youth’s privacy rights: in criminal courts, journalists are usually prevented from disclosing anything that could lead to youth’s identity being disclosed. In exceptional circumstances would a defendant under 18 be named. The mandate to name and shame youth’s granted under ASBOS, penalises both the individual and their entire family/friends by association. In some cases, where an ASBO has ordered the subject not to associate with certain people, those people (who have not been convicted) have been named in leaflets distributed to thousands of households. This means young people already at odds with their community, will be further vilified and excluded. Source: Green Party website: http://www.greenparty.org.uk/files/reports/2004/ASBOS.htm

LABOUR Steve Reed MP, Labour’s Shadow Home Office minister, responding to ASBO breach figures, said: "It’s shocking that David Cameron has chosen to weaken ASBOs so offenders can breach them without getting a criminal record. At a time when people across the country want tougher action against anti-social behaviour the Tory-led Government are going soft on crime. Law-abiding people will be outraged to see the Government more concerned about not criminalising persistent offenders than about taking the tough action that can stop them in their tracks." Source: Labour website http://press.labour.org.uk/post/65618963954/cameron-has-chosen-to-weaken-asbos-so-offenders

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT Commenting on a speech by the Home Secretary in which she said it was ‘time to move beyond’ Anti Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs), Co-Chair of the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Committee for Home Affairs and Justice, Tom Brake said: "The Home Secretary has listened to Liberal Democrat concerns. With more than half of ASBOs breached in 2008, this was a policy more about posturing than effective policing. Local communities know that other measures, such as Acceptable Behaviour Contracts can nip problems in the bud before they escalate. Resorting to ASBOs was a sign of failure." Source: Liberal Democrats website, http://www.libdems.org.uk/asbos_are_a_failed_policy_says_brake

PLAID CYMRU Plaid Cymru would replace ASBOs with a system of restorative justice. Source: BBC News Manifesto Watch, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29642613

Crime

ALLIANCE PARTY Alliance Party would deliver full provision of adequate funding and other resources to the disadvantaged in society, ensuring equality of access to justice for all;

GREEN PARTY A Green approach to crime reduction places significant focus on the social causes of crime. As well as social crime prevention, this includes a broader range of social policies which will lessen the social pressures, such as poverty, inequality or addiction to illegal drugs, to commit crime. The party would create a Department of Crime Prevention: in addition to traditional modes of crime prevention, these departments will also promote social crime prevention. Source: Green Party website.

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT Liberal Democrat party propose to "provide experts on hand in courts and in police stations to identify where mental health or a drug problem is one of the main drivers behind an offender's behaviour so they can be dealt with in a way that is appropriate. We will pilot US-style drug and alcohol courts." Source: Liberal Democrat party

PLAID CYMRU Plaid Cymru believe that crime is committed for a wide number of interlocking reasons and so can only be dealt with through a full range of policies for the economy, education, social justice and the regeneration of communities. Source: Plaid Cymru website.

RESPECT PARTY The Respect Party would build supportive communities and tackle social exclusion, introducing more resources for drug treatment and rehabilitation, and the scrapping of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders. Source: Respect Party website.

SNP "We all know that cheap booze is a root cause of too much crime and anti-social behaviour. Our plans for minimum pricing will reduce the flow of the cheap alcohol and make our town centres and neighbourhoods safer and more pleasant places to live." Source: SNP Website

UKIP UKIP will repeal the Human Rights Act and replace it with a new British Bill of Rights. The interests of law-abiding citizens & victims will always take precedence over those of criminals. Source: UKIP Party website

Drugs

CONSERVATIVE The Conservatives are in opposition to the decriminalisation of drug use, saying that it would be the wrong approach. The party claims that the current strategy is "working". Source: BBC Politics, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-31716217

GREEN PARTY The Green Party would decriminalise cannabis, and abolish custodial sentences for possession of other drugs. Cannabis would be removed from the 1971 Misuse of Drugs act, and the possession, trade and cultivation of cannabis would be immediately decriminalised, following a Dutch model. Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29642613 & Green Party website

LABOUR "We know the effect of drugs can be harmful and I don't want us to be saying to young people 'we should legalise drugs, or decriminalise drugs. I don't think the answer is decriminalisation or legalisation, I think the answer lies in better education, better prevention and better treatment." Ed Miliband, Labour party leader.

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT Liberal Democracts would end the imprisonment for possession of drugs for personal use and move the drugs and alcohol policy lead from the Home Office to the Department of Health. Drug users would receive non-custodial sentences and medical treatment. We will establish a Commission to assess the effectiveness of current drugs law and alternative approaches, including further work on diverting users into treatment or into civil penalties that do not attract a criminal record which can seriously affect their chances of employment. Source: Liberal Democrat pre-2015 Manifesto

PLAID CYMRU "Substance abusers given the help and education they need and not treated like criminals. Support for the decriminalisation of cannabis." Source: Plaid Cymru, http://www.partyof.wales/easy-read-manifesto/

SNP The SNP want to devolve the existing drug policies to Scotland to allow them to discuss an "integrated and coherent approach to issues that affect Scotland's communities". Source: BBC News, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-31716217

UKIP "I’m not pro-drugs by the way, as someone with teenage children, and I’ve seen fairly close to hand the damage that drugs can do to young people. So I hate drugs, I’ve never taken them myself, I hope I never do, but I just have a feeling that the criminalisation of all these drugs is actually not really helping British society." Nigel Farage during a phone-in with Telegraph readers, 4 April 2014. Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/ukip/10744924/Nigel-Farage-I-have-never-taken-drugs-but-they-should-be-legal.html

European Arrest Warrant

ALLIANCE PARTY Alliance will support the maintenance of the UK’s participation within the European Arrest Warrant and the European Police Office (EUROPOL). Source: 2010 Westminster Manifesto

CONSERVATIVE Former Conservative Home Office minister Damian Green argues the warrant is all "about keeping our streets safe". "The fact is without the European Arrest Warrant it would be easier to commit murder, rape, child sex abuse, really serious crimes and then flee to other European countries and escape from British jurisdiction," he says. Source: BBC News http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29656495

GREEN PARTY I want there to be a European Arrest Warrant and I am not aligning myself with those who want to rip it up. But I want more reform. We must have an EAW system with adequate safeguards. A take it or leave it vote for the status quo is a Hobson’s Choice. Source: Caroline Lucas, http://www.carolinelucas.com/latest/shenanigans-and-shambles-%E2%80%93-the-european-arrest-warrant-debate

LABOUR Labour would " Support pan-European measures for cooperation on crime including the European Arrest Warrant." Source: Labour Party Manifesto, http://b.3cdn.net/labouruk/89012f856521e93a4d_phm6bflfq.pdf

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT "Labour and the Lib Dems also support the Warrant." Source: BBC News http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29656495

SNP SNP MSP Christina KcKelvie said, "The European Arrest Warrant allows us to extradite suspected terrorists and bring white-collar criminals to justice – that a substantial number of Tories want to put this at risk just to make a political point and flex their Eurosceptic muscles is ridiculous and demonstrates exactly why Scotland needs its own voice on the European stage. The European Arrest Warrant is a concrete example of how Scotland benefits from being in the EU – and highlights the very real dangers any EU exit would pose for people in Scotland. " Source: https://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2014/nov/tory-threat-arrest-warrant-could-cost-%C2%A3100m

UKIP UKIP would scrap the European Arrest Warrant, which sends British citizens to foreign jails without evidence, just to answer questions - replace it with a proper extradition system. Source: http://www.ukip.org/issues

Police Targets

ALLIANCE PARTY Alliance would encourage "greater co-operation and co-ordination between the criminal justice agencies tackling undue delay and the speed of justice, including working to agreed and shared targets" Source: Alliance Party website: http://allianceparty.org/page/justice

CONSERVATIVE The Conservative Party propose to free the police to fight crime by cutting red tape and scrapping unnecessary targets. Source: Conservative Party website

DUP The DUP want to increase the proportion of time police officers spend on operational duties to levels comparable with the rest of the United Kingdom. Source: DUP Website / List of Policies

LABOUR We will insist on new professional standards in our police service, with officers guilty of serious misconduct struck off, and a tougher Police Standards Authority. Source: Labour Party

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT "The Liberal Democrats’ policy also includes plans to eradicate the target-driven incentives which can cause the powers [of stop and search] to be overused by police and improve safeguards through tighter guidance." Source: Daily Mail, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2722482/Put-body-cameras-stop-search-police-say-Lib-Dems.html

RESPECT PARTY The Respect Party have announced on their website that their policies would include making "the police accountable to the community." Source: Respect Party website

Prisoners Votes

CONSERVATIVE "And now [Strasbourg] - they want to give prisoners the vote. No, I'm sorry, I just don't agree. Our Parliament - the British Parliament - decided they shouldn't have that right." - David Cameron.

DUP "Continue to oppose the ludicrous ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) giving prisoners the right to vote." Source: DUP 2014 Manifesto.

GREEN PARTY "I believe human rights apply to everyone in society." - Natalie Bennett, Green Party leader. "However, she qualified this broad principle by adding 'Judges should have the right to remove it in cases of electoral fraud, for example.'". Source: Green Party http://southwest.greenparty.org.uk/news.html/2015/01/31/natalie-in-bournemouth-student-q-and-a/

SNP "Previously, Scottish judges had upheld the SNP government's absolute refusal on any Scottish prisoner being allowed to vote in this election to end all elections." Source: The Guardian.

UKIP "UKIP will not give prisoners the vote." Source: UKIP Party Website, http://www.ukip.org/policies_for_people

Prisons

ALLIANCE PARTY The Alliance Party would seek to provide new alternatives to prosecutions for low-level offences. Source: Alliance Party website.

CONSERVATIVE The Conservative party would give criminals tougher sentences, so that communities are protected and justice is seen to be done. Source: Conservative party website.

DUP The Democratic Union party would introduce tougher sentences, making prison terms the norm for those who attack the elderly and vulnerable. Source: DUP Party Manifesto.

GREEN PARTY The Green Party places significant focus on the social causes of crime, and aim to introduce a principle of 'restorative justice' to deal with both the victim and offender. The Green Party calls for the repeal of the Vagrancy Act 1824 because it is open to abuse by police and government. It discriminates against homeless people and wrongly labels them as criminals when their plight is a social problem. Cannabis would be removed from the 1971 Misuse of drugs act. The possession, trade and cultivation of cannabis would be immediately decriminalised. When individuals fail to make reparation or to pay taxes, maintenance, or other moneys where the present penalty for non-payment is imprisonment, they will be required to make reparation for their default through service to the community if no other way of recovering the money is effective. Source: Green Party website/manifesto.

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT The Liberal Democrat party would end the use of imprisonment for possession of drugs for personal use and move the drugs and alcohol policy lead from the Home Office to the Department of Health. Create sentencing options which are effective in protecting the public, while reducing the risks of re-offending. We want to see an enhanced role for restorative justice, and will do more to keep young people and women out of prison. Source: Liberal Democrat website / policies

PLAID CYMRU "Rehabilitation and probation as opposed to ineffective short-term sentences that don’t prevent reoffending." Source: Plaid Cymru, http://www.partyof.wales/easy-read-manifesto/

RESPECT PARTY Respect would push for the scrapping of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders, and would also undertake a complete overhaul of the criminal justice system, as well as build supportive communities and tackle social exclusion.

SNP The Scottish National Party would introduce new measures to clamp down on crime, as well as take more "ill-gotten gains" from criminals, extending a "Cashback for Communities" scheme to return more money to the community. Source: SNP Website / Manifesto

UKIP UKIP believes that full sentences should be served and this should be taken into account when criminals are convicted and sentenced in court. Parole should be available for good behaviour on a case-by-case basis, not systematically. Source: UKIP website

ALLIANCE PARTY The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland would review the conditions of detention, management and oversight of all prisons. Source: Alliance Party website.

DUP The DUP say that prisoners should not be treated more favourably than law abiding citizens. Source: DUP website.

LABOUR Labour will put rehabilitation at the heart of a prison system which aims to reduce reoffending and cut crime, ensuring that prisons properly punish and reform while mobilising the talents and expertise of all agencies to cut crime. Source: Labour Party website

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT Liberal Democrats would reform prisons, so they become places of work, rehabilitation and learning. We will encourage third sector providers to deliver improved rehabilitation. Source: Liberal Democrat manifesto.

PLAID CYMRU "Better prison conditions for female prisoners, including help with basic numeracy and literacy skills." Source: Plaid Cymru website. http://www.partyof.wales/easy-read-manifesto/

UKIP UKIP would not give prisoners the right to vote. UKIP believes that full sentences should be served and this should be taken into account when criminals are convicted and sentenced in court. Parole should be available for good behaviour on a case-by-case basis, not systematically. Source: UKIP website.

Use of Force

CONSERVATIVE The Conservatives have pledged to give householders greater legal protection if they have to defend themselves against intruders in their homes. Source: Parliament, http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/research/key-issues-for-the-new-parliament/security-and-liberty/reviewing-counter-terrorism-legislation1/

DUP The DUP would amend self-defence legislation so householders are given greater protection and can only be prosecuted for use of force against intruders which is found to be disproportionate. Source: DUP website

Armed Forces Size

ALLIANCE PARTY Alliance will support a Strategic Defence Review. We believe that the balance of investment in the armed services needs to change to reflect the different challenges of peacekeeping and peacemaking. Source: Alliance Party Westminster Manifesto

CONSERVATIVE 8 March 2015 - Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said that "there will be no further cuts to our regular armed forces" whilst David Cameron remains the party leader, saying that the prime minister "is passionate about our armed forces. He has always been absolutely clear that he is not prepared to preside over any further cuts to our regular armed forces". Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-31788177 Party leader David Cameron has also said that he will increase spending on military equipment by 1% a year in real terms from 2015 - 2020.

DUP "We are very aware of the threats faced by the United Kingdom. Because of our commitment to NATO allies, and to keep our country strong at home and abroad the Government should give a guarantee that defence spending will be maintained at 2% of GDP." - Nigel Dodds, DUP Deputy Leader

GREEN PARTY "On inspection, there is little or no threat of direct invasion of the UK by any nation. Commitment to a large standing army, a navy of large warships around our coastline, squadrons of fighter planes and a cripplingly expensive missile defence system is therefore unnecessary." Source: Green Party website

LABOUR The Labour party does not guarantee that defence spending is kept at 2% of national income, said Ed Balls, but will commit to an immediate strategic defence review if it gains power in the election. Labour's website states, "Using military force only after all peaceful and diplomatic avenues to avert conflict have been exhausted and within international law." Source: Labour Party website

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT Maintain strong and effective armed forces, and set long-term budgets to procure the right equipment at competitive prices. Remain fully engaged in international nuclear disarmament efforts. Source: Liberal Democrat website

PLAID CYMRU We also opposed the invasion of Afghanistan from the beginning and we now call for a move towards a situation in the country where Afghans can be safe to develop their own country without external political influence. Plaid Cymru therefore call for a sufficient humanitarian framework following the gradual withdrawal of troops. Source: Plaid Cymru policies

RESPECT PARTY In line with our foreign policy, Respect is for the closure of all extra-continental military bases.Respect stands against the idea that it is acceptable to savagely cut public services whilst simultaneously renewing a gigantic but ultimately useless nuclear weapons project. Source: Respect Party website

SNP The Scottish National Party (SNP) is challenging the UK parties to make a commitment against cuts to conventional defence spending, manpower and bases in Scotland. Source: SNP Website

UKIP 23 March 2015 - UKIP have said that the party is committed to spending 2% of the country's GDP on defence. This will be partly funded by cutting the foreign aid budget. Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-32015331 UKIP have also sated on their website, "We will resource fully our military assets and personnel." Source: UKIP Website Policy List.

European Army

CONSERVATIVE "No to a constant flow of power to Brussels. No to unnecessary interference. And no, of course, to the Euro, to participation in Eurozone bail-outs or notions like a European Army." Source: Conservative Party European Election Manifesto 2014

DUP The DUP will oppose any form of EU military integration and will defend the UK's sovereign right to govern its own defences and national security policy. Source: DUP 2014 Manifesto.

GREEN PARTY The Green Party opposes the creation of a European Army and its precursors such as the Rapid Reaction Force, and the use of the EU to sustain military adventures. We are particularly opposed to suggestions that there should be "Eurobomb" nuclear capability. Source: http://policy.greenparty.org.uk/eu.html

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT The Liberal Democrats would 'work to engage with and strengthen multilateral institutions worldwide including global bodies such as the UN and regional groupings'. Source: Liberal Democrat pre-2015 Manifesto

PLAID CYMRU Plaid Cymru therefore call for a sufficient humanitarian framework following the gradual withdrawal of troops. Source: Plaid Cymru website

RESPECT PARTY The Respect Party believe that NATO should be disbanded and replaced with a EU defence force that exists to secure Europe's borders. The party would want no involvement from the United States. http://www.respectparty.org/international/nato/

UKIP "I don’t want a European army, navy, air force or a European foreign policy. It has not been a thing for good in the Ukraine" - Nigel Farage, UKIP leader. Source: http://rt.com/uk/148693-eublood-ukraine-farage/

Ex Forces

UKIP UKIP will guarantee those who have served in the Armed Forces for a minimum of 12 years a job in the police force, prison service or border force. Source: UKIP.

Forces Salaries

ALLIANCE PARTY Alliance believes that no serviceman or woman should be sent into conflict on less basic pay than the starting salary of a police constable. Source: Alliance Party.

Iraq War

CONSERVATIVE Foreign Secretary William Hague was asked by Angus Roberston MP of the SNP party, "Do you not agree that Tony Blair should not continue in post as a Middle East Peace Envoy?", to which he replied, "No I don’t agree with that Mr Speaker, nor do I think the recent events in Iraq should be turned into a proxy debate about Tony Blair and everything that he has ever said or done, and in any case there will be the shadow Foreign secretary is looking rather alarmed about a proxy debate about Tony Blair, but in any case we have set up an inquiry in this House into the Iraq war and that inquiry will report in due course."

GREEN PARTY "The Green Party supports the call for parliament to impeach Tony Blair. Mr Blair misled the public about the alleged reasons for the attack on Iraq, and proceeded to lead the UK into an illegal and unjustifiable war on the basis of this deceit." Source: Green Party http://greenparty.org.uk/archive/news-archive/1579.html

PLAID CYMRU Plaid Cymru did not support the war in Iraq; in fact, we vociferously opposed it. Moreover, our MPs led the campaign to impeach Tony Blair for war crimes. Source: Plaid Cymru.

SNP "[Ex-party leader] Salmond has gone further than many anti-war politicians in claiming that Blair's statements on the presence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq were consciously intended to deceive the public. He has also claimed that Blair had made a pact with George W. Bush "to go to war come what may". Source: Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Salmond

ISIS

CONSERVATIVE Party leader David Cameron stated that Britain should respond to the Iraqi government's request for help, adding that we "should not turn away from what needs to be done". Source: BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29339787

GREEN PARTY The Green Party has always been clear in saying that the long term answer to this horrendous ongoing genocide lies not with Western military intervention on the ground but in the wider International community assisting the states and peoples of the region to defend themselves and bring relief to the ever growing number of refugees displaced by the fighting. ‘The West bears much responsibility for promoting this tragic state of affairs; bombing ISIS, which will see innocent civilians killed and land ruined further, which will only make their attackers yet more emboldened — this cannot be the answer. Source: Green Party website http://greenparty.org.uk/news/green-party-calls-on-international-community-to-protect-human-rights-in-the-middle-east.html

LABOUR Responding to questions about the threat of ISIS in Iraq, Labour Party leader Ed Miliband said "he was open to the possibility of supporting air strikes against ISIS in Iraq." Source: http://rt.com/uk/190208-parliament-recalled-isis-action/

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT Commenting about ISIS, Nick Clegg said, "The Liberal Democrats will support the air strikes in Iraq for the following reasons. First, because it's legal, it's been requested by the Iraqi government, to help them rid themselves of the threat of ISIS, secondly because it's part of a much bigger coalition of countries crucially including a number of Arab countries which deprives Isil of the ability to somehow portray it as a West vs West Crusade". Source: BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29339787

RESPECT PARTY During a House of Commons debate on Iraq, party leader George Galloway told MPs, "Isil [Isis] itself is an imaginary army. A former defence secretary said we must bomb their bases. They don’t have any bases. The territory they control is the size of Britain and yet there are only between 10,000 and 20,000 of them. Do the maths." Source: The Guardian http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/26/george-galloway-angers-mps-isis-iraq-debate

UKIP "The Government’s position in merely attacking a cross border force on one side of the border is laughable. ISIS is not merely a terrorist organisation, and no amount of wishing that will make any difference. It is an embedded society. To defeat it will take far more than airstrikes. If we are to combat ISIS it will take a hard fought ground war. To rely on airpower alone risks making a bad situation far worse. Year on year this, and previous governments, have denuded our military capacity, leaving our forces a shadow of their previous existence. To change matters will take years, but we must start now, or we will have to accept that real threats to our safety and civilisation will go undefended." - Party Leader Nigel Farage. http://www.ukip.org/britain_s_leading_military_strategist_takes_the_ukip_position_on_isis

NATO

CONSERVATIVE Defence Secretary announced on the 5th February 2015 that the UK will be playing a lead role in a 'high readiness' NATO force in Eastern Europe, sending 1,000 troops and 4 RAF Typhoon jets to the region. Source: BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31147236

GREEN PARTY The Green Party believe that the UK should leave NATO unilaterally, and has protested against the role NATO plays in world politics. Green Party leader Natalie Bennett has stated, "Nato was established for mutual defence during the Cold War and should have been disbanded when it ended. As a nuclear-armed alliance with more than 5,000 weapons, it significantly contributes to threats to the world's safety." Source: http://greenparty.org.uk/news/2014/08/29/green-party-backs-no-to-nato-march/

LABOUR Labour has a commitment to multilateral cooperation. The threats we face are global and therefore shared and so the most effective solutions will inevitably be joint. Source: Labour Party website

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT Liberal Democrats would work to engage with and strengthen multilateral institutions worldwide including global bodies such as the UN and regional groupings. Source: Liberal Democrat website

PLAID CYMRU "Plaid Cymru rejects NATO as a nuclear alliance and a product of the Cold War. The modern world requires cooperation that is not built on the old-fashioned premise of competing military blocs but rather one that brings all countries and hemispheres together in the common pursuit of peace, reconciliation and justice." - Plaid Cymru http://www.partyof.wales/news/2014/09/04/plaid-cymru-statement-on-nato-summit/

RESPECT PARTY The Respect Party supports the idea that Britain should leave NATO, and that it should be disbanded with a European Union defence organisation that does not involve the US. The organisation would then be responsible for securing Europe's borders as well as security within its borders. http://www.respectparty.org/international/nato/

SNP "Members of the SNP have long been divided on the party's long-standing opposition to Nato membership, which began in the early 1980s. Gordon Wilson tried to persuade the party to adopt a pro-Nato stance in 1983, but failed". However, at the party's Perth Autumn conference in October 2012 SNP members voted 426-332 to overturn their policy of opposition to Nato. Source: Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NATO_debate_in_the_Scottish_National_Party

Nuclear Defence

ALLIANCE PARTY Alliance has seen no evidence to suggest that the like-for-like renewal of the Trident nuclear weapons system is necessary or cost-effective. Alliance believes that other approaches can be found to ensure the nuclear security of the United Kingdom with a different focus to reflect the security challenges of the future rather than refighting the Cold War. Source: Alliance Westminster Manifesto

CONSERVATIVE The Conservatives have vowed to renew Britain's nuclear deterrent, although they have announced a delay in the programme, meaning that the Vanguard Class submarines may remain in service until 2029.

GREEN PARTY The Green Party rejects any reliance on nuclear weapons. This rejection means that we will decommission UK's own nuclear weapons and insist on the removal of US nuclear bases. No further research will take place into nuclear weapons and the export of nuclear technology will be stopped. Ships carrying nuclear weapons will be banned from British ports. Source: http://policy.greenparty.org.uk/pd.html

LABOUR Labour have disagreed with plans to base the UK's nuclear deterrent on warplanes or ground-based missiles, although some have recommended "fewer warheads and missile tubes". Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31600531

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT The Liberal Democrats would 'retain our Trident independent nuclear deterrent through a Contingency Posture of regular patrols, enabling a ‘surge’ to armed patrols when the international security context makes this appropriate. This would enable us to reduce the UK warhead stockpile and procure fewer Vanguard successor submarines, and would help the UK to fulfil our nuclear non-proliferation treaty commitments.' Source: Liberal Democrat pre-2015 Manifesto. The party has talked about the possibility of cutting back to two nuclear-warhead powered submarines, and more important - not having them on permanent nuclear armed patrol.

PLAID CYMRU "An end to the wasteful and costly (£100bn) Trident-replacement programme. NO nuclear weapons in Wales (as proposed by the First Minister)." Source: Plaid Cymru, http://www.partyof.wales/easy-read-manifesto/

RESPECT PARTY Respect claims that Britain cannot afford to subsidise the £25bn 'behemoth' off Scotland's coast while 'our pensioners shiver their way through our inclement winters'. http://www.respectparty.org/national/scrap-trident/

SNP The SNP oppose the use of nuclear weapons and want to push for removal of Trident submarines from Scotland. At an SNP conference held in Inverness in 2013 delegates gave their backing for a ban on nuclear weapons, and that if the Scottish Referendum had a 'Yes' vote, the submarines would have been pulled from Scotland. Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-21910007

UKIP "The UK Independence Party would not scrap Trident, Nigel Farage has said, describing the manifesto that contained the policy as 'drivel'", on LBC 97.3 radio. Source: BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-25879302

Scottish Defence

SNP The Scottish National Party (SNP) is challenging the UK parties to make a commitment against cuts to conventional defence spending, manpower and bases in Scotland. Scottish taxpayers are disproportionately contributing huge sums towards the UK Ministry of Defence, at the same time as the UK's conventional defence footprint in Scotland is disappearing at an unprecedented rate. Source: Scottish National Party.

UKIP UKIP propose an end to the Barnett Formula, the subsidy that government gives to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The party say that this policy would help save £8 billion a year.

UN Peacekeeping

ALLIANCE PARTY We believe that the balance of investment in the armed services needs to change to reflect the different challenges of peacekeeping and peacemaking. Source: Alliance Party Westminster Manifesto

GREEN PARTY The Green Party reiterates its support for the United Nations and the principles of peacekeeping. UN peacekeepers have successfully brought stability and protection to innocent people around the world. Source: Green Party Website, http://greenparty.org.uk/archive/emergencymotions/81.html

LABOUR As well as preventing conflict, I believe Britain has a leading role to play in keeping peace, which is why I wish to see the UK continuing and deepening our support for UN peace keeping operations, helping to provide vital security and stability across the world. Source: http://labourlist.org/2014/03/labour-has-an-ambitious-and-realistic-vision-for-uk-defence/

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT The Liberal Democrats would 'work with partners in the EU, NATO, the UN and the Commonwealth to tackle security challenges and seek peaceful solutions to conflicts worldwide'. Source: Liberal Democrat pre-2015 Manifesto

RESPECT PARTY "The United Nations is an absurd excuse for an international organisation. The US dominates the UN, arrogating to itself the right to withhold visas for international politicians that is doesn’t like. The Security Council is similarly ludicrous." Source: Respect Party, http://www.respectparty.org/international/united-nations/

SNP "The SNP's 15,000-strong "defence force" would aid overseas peacekeeping and disaster relief operations, but would not be sent into contentious conflicts like the Iraq War." Source: BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-25667526

Bedroom Tax

ALLIANCE PARTY Judith Cochrane MLA has stated "The 'bedroom tax' is perhaps the most offensive aspect of the so-called reforms. Fundamentally, it is a dehumanising measure, which doesn't adequately take into account personal circumstances the need for flexibility." Source: http://allianceparty.org/article/2013/007757/cochrane-calls-on-executive-to-explore-all-options-to-avoid-bedroom-tax

CONSERVATIVE Conservative Minister Iain Duncan Smith said, 'We need to put an end to the unfair situation where the taxpayer is subsidising people to have homes, paid for by the state, with spare rooms they do not need.This is effectively a spare room subsidy. Britain can not afford it and nor can the taxpayer'. The rationale of the 'Under-occupancy penalty' is to encourage council tenants living in houses too big for their needs to move into smaller properties so that existing housing stock can be better used, as well as reduce the overall housing benefit bill. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Under-occupancy_penalty

DUP Representatives from the DUP have confirmed that they will attempt to scrap the introduction of the Spare Room Policy ('Bedroom Tax' during a debate held in April 2014. Senior DUP member Simon Hamilton has expressed concern that the tax will hit NI tenants 'disproportionately hard'. Source: http://www.insidehousing.co.uk/northern-ireland-rejects-bedroom-tax/6526399.article

GREEN PARTY Ryan Coley, Green Party lead candidate for Canbury, has said "The bedroom tax is vile, it leaves people being pushed into poverty for refusing to move from their homes or can leave them far away from their friends and families who they may rely on for support." Source: http://kingston.greenparty.org.uk/news/greens-launch-petition-to-scrap-the-bedroom-tax.html

LABOUR Labour say that "David Cameron's hated Bedroom Tax is hitting more than 400,000 disabled people. It's cruel, it's unfair, and it doesn't work. Labour will scrap it and pay for it byclosing tax-dodging loopholes." Source: Labour Manifesto

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT "The Liberal Democrats have put forward a voting parliament to reform policy on the spare room subsidy. We want to tackle overcrowding with a new system to incentivise social landlords to reduce the number of tenants under-occupying homes, whilst protecting the most vulnerable." Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Under-occupancy_penalty

PLAID CYMRU "I want to add my voice to the diverse group who are calling for the abolition of the bedroom tax, from Church of England bishops to Conservative Councillors to the many dedicated campaigners across the country who are fighting with great dedication. Together we can bring an end to this cruel tax, and in the meantime we can help those who are affected." Jocelyn Davies, Plaid Cymru.

RESPECT PARTY Respect claims that the Bedroom Tax was an 'attack on the poor and marginalised within society whereby a ‘subsidy’ was lost if the claimant was found to have a spare room, thereby effectively cutting their housing benefit'. Source: http://www.respectparty.org/national/scrap-the-bedroom-tax/

SNP The SNP party has highlighted that at every level of Government they are "at the forefront of opposition to the deeply unfair policy that will tear people out of their communities and drive thousands of people deeper into poverty", continuing, "The Bedroom Tax needs to be scrapped completely, and the Scottish Parliament needs the powers to scrap it. Only a Yes vote in September 2014 will give us the chance to do that, and ensure that welfare in Scotland reflects the values of people living here rather than the values of the Westminster system." Source: https://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2013/mar/snp-promise-no-let-opposition-bedroom-tax

Capital Gains Tax

CONSERVATIVE It is highly doubtful that the Conservative party would increase capital gains tax. Revenues from capital gains tax brought in just £7.85bn, failing to raise the revenue that Chancellor George Osborne expected. Source: Telegraph

GREEN PARTY Capital Gains Tax exemptions/thresholds will also be removed with the exception of a person's only or main home which will continue to be exempt. Source: Green Party Policy.

LABOUR In order to incentivise long-term investment the Labour Party are considering a series of reforms, one of which includes a lower rate of capital gains tax. Source: http://press.labour.org.uk/post/90291230234/a-competitive-tax-system-that-supports-long-term

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT Liberal Democrats propose an increase in capital gains tax, which would be paid on profits from shares or second homes, from 28% to 35%. Liberal Democrat leader said on the 5th February that increasing capital gains tax was "absolutely" part of the plan to raise money. Source: BBC Politics http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29642613

PLAID CYMRU Plaid Cymru are pushing for taxes on property and land - which includes capital gains tax - to be be transferred to Wales. However it is unclear whether the party would increase or decrease the amount of CGT. Source: http://partyof.wales/uploads/policies/Bring_our_Government_Home.pdf

RESPECT PARTY Respect Party have not made any announcements regarding capital gains tax, so it is unclear whether they would raise or reduce CGT.

SNP There is speculation that UK tax payers may need to pay either a higher income or capital gains tax, especially if Scotland continues to look towards independence. Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/10664563/The-true-costs-of-Scottish-independence-How-it-will-affect-your-money.html

Corporation Tax

ALLIANCE PARTY A bill to allow corporation tax powers to be devolved to Stormont has been introduced at Westminster. Small and medium sized companies, in which at least 75% of staff time and costs relate to work carried out in Northern Ireland, will qualify. If this test is not met, the company will continue to be taxed at the main UK rate. Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-30141244

DUP 3rd March 2015 - The SNP have dropped a pledge to reduce corporation tax, claiming that "Scottish government has made clear that we have no intention to engage in a 'race to the bottom. Instead, we will use these powers to create a long-term competitive advantage, not through a blanket approach, but by using targeted changes in tax allowances." Source: BBC Politics, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-31700448

GREEN PARTY "Corporation Tax will continue to be levied on the net profits earned by companies. These will be banded, with higher rates payable by larger companies in order to encourage smaller businesses." Source: Green Party Website: http://policy.greenparty.org.uk/ec.html

LABOUR "In setting out a plan to make Britain work for everyday working people, Labour will also go further in cutting business rates to help small firms. Last year we announced that we would freeze business rates in 2015 and 2016 at 2014 levels for properties under £50,000. This was paid for by not going ahead with the Government’s plans for a further cut in Corporation Tax." Source: Labour Party, http://press.labour.org.uk/post/97958100904/labours-plan-for-britains-future-begins-with

SNP "The SNP has wooed business by pledging that an independent Scotland would cut corporation tax by three percentage points compared with the rest of the UK." Source: FT.com, http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b8811596-a7c3-11e4-8e78-00144feab7de.html

Council Tax

GREEN PARTY The Green Party would reform Council Tax so that owners of expensive homes would pay more and those living in cheaper houses would pay less. They would introduce a new band at the top of the scale for those with the largest houses, which the party claim would raise £1.7bn. The party also favour moving to a new system of Land Value Tax, where the level of tax would depend on the rental value of the land concerned. Source: Green Party Manifesto

PLAID CYMRU Plaid believes that we should abolish the unfair and outdated council tax system and introduce a local income tax. A local income tax would be based on the ability to pay, not on the value of property. It would be fairer and more efficient. Source: Plaid Party policy.

SNP The SNP announced a commission to investigate alternatives to the current council tax, a revenue that the party has long been keen to replace. They advocated replacing it with a 'local income tax' in 2007, although it did not get enough support. Source: BBC, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-30215510

Deficit

ALLIANCE PARTY we believe that investment in skills and infrastructure and support for successful sectors will help boost the economy. http://allianceparty.org/page/economy

GREEN PARTY The Green Party have said that they would "End austerity and restore the public sector, creating over one million good jobs that pay at least a living wage. - See more at: https://www.greenparty.org.uk/we-stand-for/fair-economy.html" Source: Green Party website, https://www.greenparty.org.uk/we-stand-for/fair-economy.html

PLAID CYMRU "Better, freer conditions for enterprising individuals and companies to boost the economy and an end to damaging Westminster ‘austerity’ measures." Source: Plaid Cymru, http://www.partyof.wales/easy-read-manifesto/

RESPECT PARTY The Respect Party 'reject the iron-clad austerity policies of the three main political parties in Britain', saying that the country needs a new economic system that 'isn't dependent on financial services and which is constantly in thrall to the banks'. They 'reject the idea that the British people have to pay for the mess that was not caused by them'. Source: http://www.respectparty.org/national/against-austerity/

SNP SNP will not support more Westminster austerity - "There is deep concern that the UK Government Charter for Budget Responsibility simply sets in stone further draconian cuts. Repeating the failed mistakes of the past trying to cut the deficit on a fixed timescale taking no consideration of shocks which might hit the economy." - SNP’s Deputy Leader and Treasury spokesperson Stewart Hosie MP.

UKIP "His (Nigel Farage) focus will be on spending cuts. The Coalition, he will argue, "has failed in its primary role to cut the annual deficit". The deficit is still vast, and overall debt continues to rise as a result. After May 22, therefore, Mr Farage intends to "outline the absolute necessity to cut government spending"." Source: Telegraph, http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/benedictbrogan/100257048/nigel-farage-the-tories-have-failed-only-ukip-dares-cut-spending-on-nhs-and-pensions/

Income Tax

CONSERVATIVE The Conservative party have said that restoring the 50% tax rate on those who earn more than £150,000 would "put economic recovery at risk". Source: BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25894312

GREEN PARTY The Green Party would introduce a new higher rate of income tax at 50% for those earning more than £100,000 per year, according to their manifesto. The party claim that this would raise an additional £2.3bn each year towards the economy. The party would also consider a wealth tax on individuals with assets above £3,000,000. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Party_of_England_and_Wales#Policy

LABOUR We will ensure that the burden is fairly shared by restoring the 50p rate on incomes over £150,000, while helping those on middles and lower incomes by introducing a lower 10p starting rate of tax. Source: Labour Party Manifesto, http://b.3cdn.net/labouruk/89012f856521e93a4d_phm6bflfq.pdf

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT "Last September, Lib Dem conference voted – by a wafer-thin margin of just 4 votes – to reject a 50p top-rate of tax. " Source: http://www.libdemvoice.org/what-lib-dem-members-think-about-toprate-tax-53-back-50p-or-higher-but-only-if-it-raises-more-revenue-39648.html

PLAID CYMRU "Plaid Cymru believes that the tax system should be genuinelyprogressive with those earning above £100,000 subject to a 50% tax rate." Source: Plaid Cymru discussion paper, http://www.english.plaidcymru.org/uploads/Recover_Reform_Renew.pdf

RESPECT PARTY Respect believes in progressive taxation, meaning that the more you earn, the more you should be expected to contribute to society. Source: http://www.respectparty.org/national/end-economic-inequality/

SNP "FINANCE secretary John Swinney last night refused to guarantee that an SNP government in an independent Scotland would impose a 50p income tax rate for the highest earners. However, he said the SNP would support the reintroduction of the top rate for those earning £150,000 or more if it was brought forward in Westminster". Source: Scotsman, Jan 2014 http://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/scottish-independence-no-snp-50p-tax-pledge-1-3282990

UKIP Party leader Nigel Farage said that "UKIP would also make the 40p rate the top rate of tax, which people would start to pay once they earned £45,000." Source: BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28876122

DUP I want to see low paid workers lifted out of National Insurance and Income Tax Source Gregory Campbell, DUP spokesman on Intentional Development http://www.mydup.com/news/article/chancellor-agrees-to-work-with-dup-on-helping-low-paid

GREEN PARTY Personal tax-free allowances will be abolished, having effectively been replaced by the Citizen's Income. Income Tax will be levied on all income above the Citizen's Income. A Citizen's Income sufficient to cover an individual's basic needs will be introduced, which will replace tax-free allowances and most social security benefits.

LABOUR restoring the 10p rate of tax,

CONSERVATIVE By 2020, no one earning less than £50,000 will pay the 40p rate of tax.

LABOUR We will: • Introduce a new 10p starting rate of tax to help 24 million people on low and middle incomes • Reverse David Cameron’s 3 billion pound tax break for the top one per cent of earners and tax houses worth over 2 million pounds • In Europe, tackle tax avoidance with greater transparency so we can see who has paid what tax http://www.labour.org.uk/blog/entry/more-tory-than-the-tories-ukips-tax-policies

UKIP We will introduce a 35p income tax rate between £42,285 and £55,000, whereupon the 40p rate becomes payable.

Inheritance Tax

ALLIANCE PARTY Alliance have stated in their 2010 Westminster Manifesto that they will oppose Conservative and Unionist proposals to raise the threshold for inheritance tax. Source: 2010 Alliance Party Westminster Manifesto.

CONSERVATIVE 17th March 2015 - The Conservatives have announced plans that would allow some parents to give their children homes worth up to £1m without having to pay inheritance tax. It has been reported that the plans would be introduced in April 2016 and would help up to 20,000 estates by 2020. It follows a pledge in the 2010 election to raise the inheritance tax threshold on property and assets to £1m.

GREEN PARTY The Green Party would reform inheritance tax so that it depends on the wealth of the recipient, rather than the deceased, in order to 'encourage people to distribute their property widely'. Source: Green Party website

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT The Liberal Democrat party blocked Conservative plans to raise the inheritance tax threshold to £1m as part of the coalition deal. Business Minister Vince Cable has said that the plans send "a very bad signal about the chancellor's priorities".

UKIP UKIP would abolish inheritance tax, stating, "Inheritance tax brings in under £4bn - less than a third of what we spend on foreign aid. The super-rich avoid it, while modest property owners get caught by it. It hits people during a time of grief and UKIP will budget in its 2015 spending plans to completely abolish this unfair death tax." Source: UKIP List of Issues - http://www.ukip.org/issues

Welfare Cap

CONSERVATIVE A Conservative government would cut the maximum benefits that a household can claim from £26,000 to £23,000, according to party leader David Cameron, in order to fund three million new apprenticeships. The party would cap benefits "so no out-of-work household can claim more in benefits than the average family earns in work". Source: Conservative website https://www.conservatives.com/Plan/CapWelfareReduceImmigration.aspx

DUP DUP MP Nigel Dodds has previously stated that the DUP supports plans to put a cap on benefits payments. Source: BBC News

LABOUR "Labour will vote for a cap on welfare to control the costs of social security. However we will go further than this Tory-led Government by tackling the causes of rising social security spending; low pay, long-term unemployment and the inadequate supply of housing." - Rachel Reeves, Labour's Shadow Work & Pensions Secretary.

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT As part of the coalition with the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats introduced a benefits cap of £26,000. However, they called the original plans 'unfair', and made several changes before it came into force.. Source: http://www.libdems.org.uk/what_is_the_benefits_cap

PLAID CYMRU Plaid Cymru's Jonathan Edwards MP has said, "The welfare cap is an ill-judged, immoral policy that Plaid Cymru MPs will unanimously oppose. “With Wales being hit disproportionately by the Coalition’s welfare reform programme, a vote for this cap is a vote for growing inequality and against social justice." Source: http://www.partyof.wales/news/2014/03/25/plaid-urges-first-minister-to-tell-welsh-labour-mps-oppose-welfare-cap/

RESPECT PARTY The Respect Party have pledged to reverse key welfare reform changes, which include the benefit cap. Source: Rotherham Respect Party

SNP SNP MSP Jamie Hepburn has previously stated that, "... plans to extend the child benefit cap will impact the wellbeing of children and hit ordinary families in the pocket – families with three children will suffer a cumulative loss of over £2,000 by 2016/17. At a time when many families are already struggling to make ends meet, taking more money out of family budgets is absolutely unthinkable." Source: http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2014/sep/families-lose-out-%C2%A32000-cap

UKIP The UKIP website states that the party supports a simplified, streamlined welfare system and a benefit cap. Source: http://www.ukip.org/policies_for_people

Class Sizes

CONSERVATIVE primary school class sizes are already capped at 30 http://schoolsweek.co.uk/class-size-cap-it-already-exists-say-conservatives/

GREEN PARTY The party would attempt to move gradually to smaller class sizes. They would do this by spending an additional £500 million on 15,000 new teachers. Their goal is to reduce class sizes to an average of 20 pupils. Source: Green Party Manifesto

LABOUR We want all infants of five, six and seven in classes of 30 or under Source: Tristram hunt http://schoolsweek.co.uk/class-size-cap-it-already-exists-say-conservatives/

RESPECT PARTY A radical reduction in class size

SNP We are bringing in a new legal limit on primary 1 classes in August and are committed to a progressive reduction in class sizes starting with the early years

Exams aged 11

CONSERVATIVE "Making sure all 11 year olds take rigorous tests in maths; reading; and yes – spelling, punctuation and grammar." Source: David Cameron Speech http://press.conservatives.com/post/109906886845/david-cameron-a-britain-that-gives-every-child

RESPECT PARTY A fully comprehensive school system providing a common core curriculum for all until 18. End selection. Scrap SATs and other unnecessary tests.

Free Schools

CONSERVATIVE 9 March 2015 - David Cameron has announced that he would open an additional 500 free schools in England over the next five years under a Conservative government, committing to an extra 270,000 school places by 2020. Source: BBC News, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-31791485

GREEN PARTY The Green Party would bring Free Schools and Academies into local authority control. Source: BBC Manifesto Watch, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29642613

LABOUR Labour has pledged to abolish the free schools programme because they claim that it diverts funds "away from creating extra places where there is the greatest shortage". Source: BBC News, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-31791485

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT The Liberal Democrats have said that "the public have them to thank for ensuring free schools 'were only set up where there was a genuine need for places'". Source: BBC , http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29642613

PLAID CYMRU Plaid Cymru would oppose free schools, academies and foundation schools. Source: BBC Manifesto Watch, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29642613

UKIP UKIP supports the principle of Free Schools that are open to the whole community and uphold British values. Source: UKIP Website, http://www.ukip.org/policies_for_people

Free Schools & Academies

GREEN PARTY The Green Party would "Bring Academies and Free Schools into the Local Authority system. - See more at: https://www.greenparty.org.uk/we-stand-for/free-education.html#sthash.Mn2Vy9qd.dpuf"

LABOUR We will introduce robust local oversight of all schools through new Directors of School Standards in every local area, responsible for intervening in underperforming schools so that standards are raised.

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT only fund new mainstream schools in areas where school places are needed. We will allow local authorities to select the school sponsor, where this is not the local authority itself.

PLAID CYMRU We will continue to oppose foundation schools, academies and free schools, which lack public accountability and in many cases have poor staffing practices, including lack of union recognition and weaker conditions of service for staff, as well as introducing the private sector into our education system.

UKIP UKIP supports the principle of Free Schools that are open to the whole community and uphold British values.

Qualifications

CONSERVATIVE making sure all 11 year olds take rigorous tests in maths; reading; and yes – spelling, punctuation and grammar Source: David Cameron Speech http://press.conservatives.com/post/109906886845/david-cameron-a-britain-that-gives-every-child Restoring rigour to the curriculum. Toughening up exams

LABOUR We will transform vocational education in our schools and colleges, with a new gold standard Technical Baccalaureate for 16 to 19-year-olds, with rigorous vocational qualifications, accredited by employers, a high quality work placement and English and maths to 18.

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT Complete the introduction of reformed GCSEs, while continuing to oppose Conservative plans for a return to the old O-level/CSE divide

PLAID CYMRU We support the recommendations made in the review of qualifications for 14-19 year olds to retain GCSEs and A Levels and to develop and enhance the Welsh Baccalaureate as a framework for learning for this age group Examinations should be independently regulated, including a reduction in the confusing range that pupils are allowed to sit

RESPECT PARTY Scrap SATs and other unnecessary tests

UKIP UKIP will introduce an option for students to take an Apprenticeship Qualification instead of four non-core GCSEs which can be continued at A-Level. Students can take up apprenticeships in jobs with certified professionals qualified to grade the progress of the student.

Qualified Teachers

CONSERVATIVE Education secretary Michael Gove has decided to bring academies into line with private schools and the government's flagship free schools, which can hire professionals such as scientists, engineers, musicians and linguists to teach even if they do not have not have qualified teaching status (QTS). http://www.theguardian.com/education/2012/jul/27/gove-academies-unqualified-teaching-staff

GREEN PARTY Green Party Leader Natalie Bennett says that the Green Party will "work with the teaching unions, return all schools to local democratic control, reverse privatisation and ensure that all our children are taught by qualified teachers". http://nottingham.greenparty.org.uk/city.html

LABOUR "The surest way to raise standards in every lesson, in every school, is to improve the quality of teaching in the classroom. That begins with an end to David Cameron’s unqualified teachers policy" Source: Tristram Hunt, Shadow education secretary

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT Guarantee all teachers in state funded schools will be fully qualified or working towards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Free schools and academies will not be allowed to employ unqualified teachers from September 2016.

RESPECT PARTY A qualified teacher for every class

School Accessibility

ALLIANCE PARTY Setting a minimum target of 20% of children in integrated education by 2020, backed up by legislation which will make it easier to establish new integrated schools and help other schools to integrate.

DUP Produce a comprehensive long-term plan for the education sector including a roadmap to create a single education system.

LABOUR We will introduce robust local oversight of all schools through new Directors of School Standards in every local area, responsible for intervening in underperforming schools so that standards are raised, and commissioning new schools transparently and fairly so that there is proper planning for new school places where they are needed. http://www.labour.org.uk/issues/detail/higher-schools-standards

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT Rule out profit-making schools, and only fund new mainstream schools in areas where school places are needed. We will allow local authorities to select the school sponsor, where this is not the local authority itself. Ensure fair admissions for all schools.

PLAID CYMRU We strongly believe that every child in Wales has the right to education in the Welsh language, including pupils with Special Educational Needs and we will continue to push for strengthened targets We will continue to oppose foundation schools, academies and free schools, which lack public accountability and in many cases have poor staffing practices, including lack of union recognition and weaker conditions of service for staff, as well as introducing the private sector into our education system. We will call for the Welsh government to look at moving from a per-pupil funding mechanism to a funding model based on the catchment area. It is crucial that education authorities have sufficient resources to provide Welsh medium education and adequate services for children with special educational needs

RESPECT PARTY A fully comprehensive school system providing a common core curriculum for all until 18. End selection. Scrap SATs and other unnecessary tests.

UKIP Existing schools will be allowed to apply to become grammar schools and select according to ability and aptitude. Selection ages will be flexible and determined by the school in consultation with the local authority.

School Curriculum

DUP Review the Revised Curriculum with a view to giving principals and teachers more freedom to adapt their offering to suit the pupils' particular circumstances.

GREEN PARTY The Green Party believe that the SATS tests should be abolished, and to give teachers and their schools more freedom over the curriculum they provide for their pupils. The Green Party will encourage schools and colleges to set up Parent Forums or Parent Councils to enhance the school’s accountability and improve communication and collaboration over issues such as curriculum, provision, homework, attendance and behaviour management. Source: Green Party Manifesto

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT Introduce a minimum curriculum entitlement a slimmed-down core national curriculum, which will be taught in all state-funded schools. This will include a 'curriculum for life' including financial literacy, citizenship and age-appropriate sex and relationship education.

PLAID CYMRU A single national curriculum will provide for core learning whilst enabling greater flexibility for schools and professionals to innovate, e.g. outdoor learning, third foreign language, Information Technology.

SNP We want to see local schools and their communities take more responsibility for our children's education. That will mean, for example, a greater role for head teachers.

University Tuition Fees

ALLIANCE PARTY Alliance is committed in principle to abolishing tuition fees for Northern Ireland students, as in Scotland, at the earliest opportunity. Source: Alliance Party 2010 Westminster Manifesto

CONSERVATIVE Conservative party Chancellor responded to the announcement by Labour who would cut university fees by £3,000 by saying, "Under this government, we've made real progress in getting students from poorer background to go to universities - something governments have been trying to do for decades. All of that progress would be at risk from this ill-thought out policy. Ed Miliband's sums don't add up because the universities would get less money and there would be fewer students so it's bad for students, bad for universities, bad for the taxpayer and bad for the British economy." Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-politics-31648919 (BBC Politics)

GREEN PARTY The Green Party would phase in the abolition of student tuition fees in higher education. Under a Green government there would be no student loans as there would be no tuition fees and living costs would be met by Citizen's Income. Source: Green Party Manifesto

LABOUR Labour leader Ed Miliband unveiled his party's plans to cut university fees in England and Wales by £3,000 to £6,000, saying that it was a 'cast-iron' guarantee and a 'red line' in potential coalitions after the election. Source: BBC Politics, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-politics-31648919 27th February 2015.

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT Lib Dem president Tim Farron said in October 2014 that they should have 'died in a ditch' to keep their pledge to axe university tuition fees, and should have made it a condition to forming a government with the Conservatives back in 2010.

PLAID CYMRU "Financial help for Wales students and no tuition fees for those studying subjects crucial to our economy such as science, technology and healthcare." Source: Plaid Cymru, http://www.partyof.wales/easy-read-manifesto/

RESPECT PARTY The Respect Party believe that 'It is completely wrong and immoral that students should now be expected to pay £9,000 a year in tuition fees to obtain a further education. Respect campaigns for an end to tuition fees. We stand up for the rights of students to campaign against cuts to their educational standards and for a free education from the cradle to the grave.' Source: http://www.respectparty.org/national/end-tuition-fees/

SNP Among the SNP's policy base is free higher education. Source: Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_National_Party

UKIP "Subject to academic performance UKIP will remove tuition fees for students taking approved degrees in science, medicine, technology, engineering, maths on the condition that they live, work and pay tax in the UK for five years after the completion of their degrees. " Source: UKIP, http://www.ukip.org/policies_for_people

Vocational Qualificiations

CONSERVATIVE More students on high quality vocational courses because after 13 years of neglect we’ve turned them around… because let’s face it University isn’t for everyone and it was high time we stopped saying to young people who chose a different path that their choice was somehow second best. Nicky Morgan (Education Minister) http://press.conservatives.com/post/98807929855/nicky-morgan-speech-to-conservative-party

GREEN PARTY It will continue to be compulsory for all young people to be educated between the years of 7-16. From the age of 14 this may be provided through a variety of contexts including through skills and practical training, vocational placements and at Youth Schools .

LABOUR So the third plank of our plan is a vocational education system to rival Germany’s. A Labour Government will ensure Further Education colleges focused on training for local jobs; proper apprenticeships lasting two years; technical Baccalaureate, with respected qualifications; careers’ advice; technical degrees so young people can earn and learn. Source: Trsitram Hunt speech http://press.labour.org.uk/post/98055389239/speech-by-tristram-hunt-mp-to-labour-party We will transform vocational education in our schools and colleges, with a new gold standard Technical Baccalaureate for 16 to 19-year-olds, with rigorous vocational qualifications, accredited by employers, a high quality work placement and English and maths to 18. We will introduce new Technical Degrees as the pinnacle of this new vocational route, ensuring that young people who excel in vocational skill

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT Improve the quality of vocational education

PLAID CYMRU "More vocational and non-academic qualifications to increase the skills of our workforce." Source: Plaid Cymru, http://www.partyof.wales/easy-read-manifesto/

RESPECT PARTY Free and life-long access for all to high quality vocational education and adult education.

UKIP UKIP will introduce an option for students to take an Apprenticeship Qualification instead of four non-core GCSEs which can be continued at A-Level. Students can take up apprenticeships in jobs with certified professionals qualified to grade the progress of the student

Alternative Transport Fuels

ALLIANCE PARTY In the past, the government has invested heavily in roads for car use. However, with the rising price of fuel and the desire to move to more sustainable methods of living, the government needs to invest in alternative methods of transport. Source: Alliance Party Website, http://allianceparty.org/page/transport

GREEN PARTY "Develop low carbon transport, improve energy efficiency of transport, shift transport sources to mainly renewable electricity" - Source: Green Party website, http://policy.greenparty.org.uk/ey.html

SNP Emergency steps to reduce the use of fossil fuels, alongside massively increased investment in sustainable energy including solar, biological and wind and wave power.

Badger Cull

ALLIANCE PARTY Alliance Agriculture spokesperson Kieran McCarthy has said that England should adopt the Northern Ireland method for combating bovine tuberculosis instead of a badger cull which has begun in parts in of England.

CONSERVATIVE The cull was needed, he said, to prevent TB spreading among cattle. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-politics-31083871

DUP Seven of the eight DUP MPs voted for the badger cull; one abstained

GREEN PARTY The Green Party has always opposed the badger cull http://greenparty.org.uk/news/2014/03/01/greens-%E2%80%93-scrap-badger-culling-now/

LABOUR Labour would " End the badger cull and maintain the ban on hunting with dogs." Source: Labour Party Manifesto.

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT Abandoning the current culls at this point would actually lead to an increase of the disease in the wildlife reservoir which is why it is important that the culls have not been abandoned altogether, but will continue with an adjusted methodology aimed to ensure that as they progress these two culls will be both humane and effective

Coastal Erosion

CONSERVATIVE In government, the Liberal Democrats have spoken up for coastal communities, and we are investing £3.2bn in the repair and improvement of coastal defences https://normanlamb.org.uk/libdems/2014/lib-dem-environment-minister-dan-rogerson-visits-community-hit-by-floods-a-year-ago/

GREEN PARTY We need independent and fair assessment of the coastal erosive impact of offshore dredging, the re-instatement of money taken from the sea defence budget and protective systems based upon the needs of people and the environment rather than corporate profit http://policy.greenparty.org.uk/mc.html

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT In government, the Liberal Democrats have spoken up for coastal communities, and we are investing £3.2bn in the repair and improvement of coastal defences https://normanlamb.org.uk/libdems/2014/lib-dem-environment-minister-dan-rogerson-visits-community-hit-by-floods-a-year-ago/

EU Fishing Rights

DUP Fighting for a fair deal for farmers and fishermen

GREEN PARTY Ensure food security, integrating human health and wellbeing, environmental protection, animal welfare and decent livelihoods for farmers, farm workers and growers.

SNP The SNP has pledged to fight for maximum decision making on fisheries to be made in Scotland, for the EU to fully support the kind of innovations that the Scottish fleet has pioneered and to stand up for the needs of the fishing industry in Europe. http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2014/may/snp-provide-strongest-voice-fishing

Flood Defences

ALLIANCE PARTY changes could include a cross-departmental approach to emergency planning, placing a single agency in charge of co-ordinating relief, having an audit of the effectiveness of current flood defences and improving the flood warning system

CONSERVATIVE 18 March 2015 - The Conservatives have announced plans to build a £1bn tidal lagoon. "We're investing in flood defences to protect people's homes. We're investing £2.3 billion in over 1,400 flood defence projects to better protect at least 300,000 homes so families are more secure and have greater peace of mind for the future."

GREEN PARTY The Green Party would "Invest in a public programme of renewable generation, flood defences and building insulation. - See more at: https://www.greenparty.org.uk/we-stand-for/safe-climate.html#sthash.qLxVdj8E.dpuf" Source: Green Party website, https://www.greenparty.org.uk/we-stand-for/safe-climate.html

LABOUR Labour will "Prioritise flood prevention and introduce a new climate change adaptation plan." Source: Labour Party Manifesto.

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT Implement comprehensive planning for the impacts of climate change, including ensuring proper support for flood defences.

PLAID CYMRU asked for Welsh ministers to be able to carry over more funding into the next financial year to help restore flood defences and "tourism assets" after the winter storm damage Source: Ms Hutt, Welsh finance minister http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-26633123

RESPECT PARTY A review of coastal erosion with the costs for beach and other coastal improvements to be met from direct government funding.

UKIP But I also believe that charity starts at home and when we have people in this country who have paid taxes all their lives seeing everything they own be ruined under a deluge of water we should be looking to divert foreign aid to the people in the UK who really need it. Source: Nigel Farage http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/458527/FARAGE-ON-FRIDAY-Let-s-demand-EU-cashback-and-divert-foreign-aid-for-flood-victims

Green Taxes

ALLIANCE PARTY Alliance endorses the "polluter pays" principle. This means that those who pollute more should pay more and provides a financial incentive to pollute less. We support a shift in taxation towards pollution and resource depletion. Consistent with the "polluter pays" principle, the use of market forces can contribute to the protection of the environment. Source: Alliance Party.

GREEN PARTY A system of environmental tax measures ("eco-taxes") will be introduced alongside the phasing out of VAT (see EC771). Such taxation is designed to encourage movement towards a sustainable economy, by increasing the prices of items or services produced using unsustainable or polluting practises http://policy.greenparty.org.uk/ec.html

PLAID CYMRU We will continue to oppose the use of waste incinerators and support binding targets for waste prevention. We support recycling targets of 80% of domestic waste by 2020 and the introduction of a higher landfill tax.

SNP Tough action against corporate polluters. Public accountability of the oil companies.

UKIP UKIP will abolish green taxes and charges in order to reduce fuel bills.

Greenhouse Gas

ALLIANCE PARTY Alliance supports regional, national, European and international efforts to protect the environment. Alliance supports the implementation of the Rio and Kyoto Treaties. Although the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit �recognises� the scientific case for keeping temperature rises to no more than 2�C, there was no commitment to legally binding, timely emissions reductions to achieve that goal.

DUP "Make our fair share of reductions in greenhouse gases, cutting emissions by 25% below 1990 levels by 2025". Source: DUP Website, http://www.mydup.com/policies/environment

LABOUR We will stick to ambitious, legally binding targets for carbon reduction including the decarbonisation of our electricity supply by 2030, and full implementation of carbon budgets and we'll make Britain a world leader in low carbon technology and green jobs, creating a million new high technology, green jobs by 2025.

PLAID CYMRU The National Assembly has agreed, with cross-party support, to reduce emissions by 40% below 1990 levels by 2020. Plaid will work to ensure that this decision is turned into meaningful and effective action to achieve the full reduction.

SNP Emergency steps to reduce the use of fossil fuels, alongside massively increased investment in sustainable energy including solar, biological and wind and wave power.

Low Carbon Economy

ALLIANCE PARTY Alliance believe that the provision and sources of small and large-scale renewable heat, light and power needs to be extended and the range of different technologies needs to be encouraged. Source: Alliance Party Westminster Manifesto

DUP The DUP would "Commence a Province-wide retrofit programme providing a range of energy efficiency measures, reducing carbon emissions and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels." Source: DUP.

GREEN PARTY Each year the Green Party would set a carbon budget that would define the total amount of CO2 that can legally be emitted, and would be reduced every year in line with targets for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Every person would have a 'carbon account' and a set carbon quota. Whenever fossil fuels are used you would have to pay in carbon units on your account. Source: Green Party Manifesto

LABOUR We will stick to ambitious, legally binding targets for carbon reduction including the decarbonisation of our electricity supply by 2030, and full implementation of carbon budgets and we'll make Britain a world leader in low carbon technology and green jobs, creating a million new high technology, green jobs by 2025. Source: Labour Party

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT Liberal Democrats would stimulate a minimum of £100 billion more private investment in low-carbon energy infrastructure by 2020, as well as set a legally-binding decarbonisation target range for 2030 for the power sector of 50-100g of CO2 per kWh, which will largely be achieved by expansion of renewable electricity, with an indicative target of 60% of electricity generation from renewable sources by 2030. The party would set a new target for Zero Carbon Britain by 2050. Source: Liberal Democrat pre-2015 Manifesto

PLAID CYMRU The National Assembly has agreed, with cross-party support, to reduce emissions by 40% below 1990 levels by 2020. Plaid will work to ensure that this decision is turned into meaningful and effective action to achieve the full reduction. Source: Plaid Cymru.

SNP The SNP policy base includes the proposal of investment in renewable energy. Source: Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_National_Party

UKIP There will be no new subsidies for wind farms and solar arrays. UKIP will abolish green taxes and charges in order to reduce fuel bills. UKIP will abolish the Department of Energy and Climate Change and scrap green subsidies.

Nuclear Power Stations

CONSERVATIVE David Cameron unveiled a policy paper that set out rules to make it more difficult for protesters to delay the building of new nuclear power stations. The Conservative energy spokesperson Greg Clark has previously said that the party are in favour of nuclear power. Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/7480186/Conservatives-plan-fast-track-for-new-nuclear-plants.html March 2010.

GREEN PARTY The Green Party would phase out nuclear power and oppose plans for any new nuclear power stations. Their manifesto states that as well as its known risks, there is no safe way of disposing nuclear waste. They claim that nuclear power takes longer to produce than renewable energy and is more expensive. Source: Green Party Manifesto

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT The Liberal Democrats 'accept that new nuclear power stations can play a role in low-carbon electricity supply provided concerns about safety, disposal of waste and cost are adequately addressed and without public subsidy for new build'. Source: Liberal Democrat pre-2015 Manifesto

PLAID CYMRU We call for emission performance standards for all new power stations and we reaffirm our opposition to the construction of any new nuclear power stations in Wales. Source: Plaid Cymru.

SNP "No return to nuclear energy, close all nuclear plants." Source: Scottish National Party.

Renewable Energy Sources

ALLIANCE PARTY Alliance supports the increased availability of renewable energy sources to decarbonise the energy supply, and support the Green New Deal, which would provide incentives to households to encourage low-carbon energy alternatives in the home. Source: Alliance Party Westminster Manifesto

CONSERVATIVE 18th March 2015 - The Conservatives have announced plans to build a £1bn tidal lagoon in Swansea that will generate power for up to 120,000 for 120 years. Source: BBC News, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-31927779

GREEN PARTY The party aim to obtain around half the energy we use from renewable sources by 2020, as well as ensure that emissions from power generation are zero by 2030. The party support strong planning policies to support onshore wind, tidal, wave, solar and geothermal energy sources. Source: Green Party Manifesto

LABOUR We will unlock investment in clean energy by setting a firm 2030 decarbonisation target and giving the Green Investment Bank more powers. We will stick to ambitious, legally binding targets for carbon reduction including the decarbonisation of our electricity supply by 2030, and full implementation of carbon budgets and we'll make Britain a world leader in low carbon technology and green jobs, creating a million new high technology, green jobs by 2025.

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT The Liberal Democrats would treble renewable energy generation. They would 'increase research and development in four key low-carbon technologies where Britain could develop its leading position into a global green industry: tidal power, carbon capture and storage, energy storage and ultra-low emission vehicles.' Source: Liberal Democrat pre-2015 Manifesto

PLAID CYMRU Wales must take full advantage of our renewable energy resources and support micro generation and other small-scale sustainable power generation schemes, including tidal, wave-power, on-shore and off-shore wind, hydro and biomass.

SNP Emergency steps to reduce the use of fossil fuels, alongside massively increased investment in sustainable energy including solar, biological and wind and wave power. Scotland is leading the world in offshore renewable technologies and the SNP will continue to support the rapid growth of this sector. The National Renewables Infrastructure Fund will help leverage private investment into Renewables, part of over £200 million of investment in Renewables.

Shale Gas (Fracking)

ALLIANCE PARTY Alliance Environment spokesperson Anna Lo MLA has said that "We need to wait until proper scientific research is carried out on the fracking process before it is promoted. Given the potential risks to both our health and the local environment, the Government must put a halt to any licences for shale gas extraction until its consequences can be properly examined." http://allianceparty.org/article/2013/008065/lo-says-tax-cuts-for-fracking-is-premature-given-environmental-concerns

DUP The DUP seems to be both for and against fracking, with opposing views in the party. Source: http://fermanaghherald.com/2014/09/dup-councillors-grilled-over-changing-stance-on-fracking/

GREEN PARTY Claiming to be the 'only major party fighting to prevent fracking and drilling', the Green Party claim that the process will accelerate climate change, put communities at risk due to dangerous pollutants, and won't reduce energy bills. https://my.greenparty.org.uk/civicrm/petition/sign?sid=3

LABOUR The Labour Party has confirmed that it supports plans to change the trespass law that will allow shale gas companies to drill under homes without the owner's permission being sought. However, it believes that regulations are not tight enough, and will seek to strengthen the rules covering hydraulic fracturing in the House of Lords. Source: http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/aug/25/labour-regulation-uk-fracking-industry

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT The coalition government has supported 'fracking', introducing an Infrastructure Bill that contains measures to change trespass laws to facilitate shale gas extraction, as well as offering incentives to local communities and tax breaks for the industry. Liberal Democrat Nick Clegg has offically supported fracking at the party conference in 2013.

PLAID CYMRU Plaid Cymru announced their opposition to fracking in Wales at the party's annual conference in 2013. The party has since expressed additional concern about the environmental impact of fracking compared to investment in long-term renewable energy production. Plaid Cymru MEP Jill Evans has called for a moratorium on fracking in Wales and the UK until it can be proven that there is no damage to the environment or health. Source: http://www.partyofwales.org/news/2014/05/17/plaid-cymru-mep-calls-for-fracking-moratorium/

SNP "We are committed to opposing the clauses in the Infrastructure Bill which would introduce a right for those companies involved in fracking to carry out operations under properties without the permission of the landowner. We consider this to be unacceptable and removes property holders rights to hold to object to such operations, limited though they may be at present." Mike Weir, SNP Energy Spokesperson

UKIP UKIP's policy towards fracking is that it could provide the UK with a good source of both energy and revenue. UKIP plan to establish a sovereign wealth fund with the the proceeds from fracking. Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-24172645

EU Enlargement

CONSERVATIVE "Support for the continued enlargement of the EU to new members, but with new mechanisms in place to prevent vast migrations across the continent." Source: Conservative Euro Manifesto, https://www.conservatives.com/europe/~/media/Files/Downloadable%20Files/MANIFESTO%202014/Euro%20Manifesto%20English.ashx

DUP The DUP will also oppose further EU enlargement, as this threatens to aggravate illegal immigration, increase cross-border crime, and direct EU funds away from worthy projects in Northern Ireland. It would also create uncer tainty within internal trade in relation to the qualit y of produce entering our markets. Source: 2014 DUP Party Manifesto 2014.

PLAID CYMRU Plaid Cymru support further enlargement of the EU provided that those countries that wish to join improve conditions of democracy, justice and the rule of law. We support ongoing membership negotiations with Turkey as a means to encourage democratic reform in that country, improve women's rights and promote the democratic interests of the Kurdish people. Source: Plaid Cymru website.

SNP "The Scottish National Party (SNP) has today welcomed the enlargement of the European Union to include Croatia, a country smaller than Scotland during a House of Commons debate on Croatian accession to the EU." SNP Website, 06/11/2012 http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2012/nov/snp-welcomes-eu-enlargement

EU Fishing Rules

ALLIANCE PARTY "Move from a top-down method of deciding fish quotas to one where member-states have a strong role, meaning that quotas can be flexible and efficient rather than centralised." Source: Alliance Party Manifesto 2014.

DUP Working together at Stormont, Westminster and in Brussels they have maximised the short term aid available to local fishermen, whilst working to relieve the disastrous consequences of a failed centralised fisheries management regime . Source: DUP 2014 Manifesto.

UKIP UKIP will leave the Common Fisheries Policy and reinstate British territorial waters. Foreign trawlers would have to apply for and purchase fishing permits to fish British waters when fish stocks have returned to sustainable levels. Source: UKIP Website http://www.ukip.org/policies_for_people

EU Membership

ALLIANCE PARTY "Being a member of the EU also allows us to overcome our “small wee country” attitude and turn Northern Ireland into an outward and open-minded place, ready to play a bigger role in world affairs." Source: Alliance 2014 Euro Manifesto.

CONSERVATIVE "Only the Conservatives can deliver real change in Europe. We will renegotiate Britain's membership then hold an in-out referendum for the British people to decide our future in Europe." Source: Conservative Party, https://www.conservatives.com/landing_pages/european_election.aspx

GREEN PARTY The Green Party supports European co-operation on Green lines, as set out in our Vision for Europe. So long as the UK remains a member of the EU, The Green Party will campaign and support negotiations to achieve any improvements in the EU which are possible. Source: http://policy.greenparty.org.uk/eu.html

LABOUR We recognise that the strategic opportunities are changing but the constraints endure — the finite nature of our military capacity and the need to continually renew our bilateral and multilateral relationships with key players around the world. Being a part of Europe can help us to overcome some of these constraints. Source: Labour Euro Manifesto

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT The Labour Party would "remain a full and committed member of the EU, so we can play a key role in shaping the rules of the Single Market and so we can work to boost our global trade, tackle cross border crime and address environmental threats." Source: Labour Party Website

PLAID CYMRU "Being a part of the EU has brought great advantages to Wales. Between 2007 and 2013, we received up to £2 billion for regeneration schemes in Wales. So far, more than 28,000 businesses and more than a quarter of a million people in Wales have been helped by European funding. Plaid will continue to fight for transitional European financial support to continue after 2013." Source: Plaid Cymru, http://www.partyof.wales/international-affairs/

RESPECT PARTY The Respect Party would campaign to remain a part of Europe. The party claims that it is a pro-Europe party, but not while the EU is in its present form, claiming that the EU is an 'undemocratic plutocracy, a bankers' Europe'. It will campaign for a more democratic and inclusive union where Britain will be a central part of Europe. Source: http://www.respectparty.org/national/immigration/

SNP "An in/out referendum on EU membership in 2017 now seems inevitable - almost regardless of who wins the general election next May. We also know from a range of polling evidence - including detailed academic analysis published last week - that it is entirely possible that the UK as a whole could vote to exit the EU, but that Scotland would vote to stay. I don't think the EU is perfect. Far from it. It badly needs change and reform. But I do believe - strongly - that our interests are best served by being in, not out, of the EU." Source: SNP Website, http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2014/oct/sturgeon-eu-amendment-pledge-transform-debate

UKIP "UKIP believes in Britain becoming a democratic, self-governing country once again. This can only be achieved by getting our nation out of the European Union and reasserting the sovereignty of Parliament." Source: UKIP Website, http://www.ukip.org/issues

EU Peacekeeping

LABOUR We recognise that it is in Britain's interest for sovereign forces from European countries to engage in joint EU missions for peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance, in full coordination with NATO. Source: Labour Party European Manifesto

EU Referendum

CONSERVATIVE "We will renegotiate Britain's membership then hold an in-out referendum for the British people to decide our future in Europe." Source: Conservative Party website, https://www.conservatives.com/landing_pages/european_election.aspx

DUP The DUP will continue to campaign for the people of Northern Ireland to have their say on the UK's relationship with the European Union. We welcome the announcement by the Prime Minister that if elected, he will hold a referendum on Europe during the next term of Parliament. Source: DUP 2014 Manifesto.

GREEN PARTY The Green Party would hold a referendum on Europe and renegotiation of EU membership. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Party_of_England_and_Wales#Policy

LABOUR "An EU referendum is "unlikely" to take place if Labour wins the next general election, Ed Miliband has said." Source: BBC / Ed Miliband, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-26538420

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT "Liberal Democrats believe that there should be a referendum on whether or not Britain remains a member of the EU." Source: Lib Dems, http://www.libdems.org.uk/europe_referendum_reform

PLAID CYMRU "... said the Plaid Cymru leader, who was 'perfectly relaxed' about a referendum on membership." Source: BBC, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27427024

RESPECT PARTY Respect is in favour of a referendum on EU membership. However, the party states that, "Respect is a pro-Europe party, but not of the EU in its present form. It is untenable to continue pretending to be a part of a union whilst pretending we would rather go it alone." Source: Respect Party website.

European Army

CONSERVATIVE "And no, of course, to the Euro, to participation in Eurozone bail-outs or notions like a European Army. " Source: 2014 Euro Manifesto. https://www.conservatives.com/europe/~/media/Files/Downloadable%20Files/MANIFESTO%202014/Large%20Print%20Euro%20Manifesto_English.ashx

DUP "The DUP will oppose any form of EU military integration and will defend the UK's sovereign right to govern its own defences and national security policy." The party will "Oppose any plans for an EU Military Headquarters, reject any attempts to centralise the procurement of weaponry and defence equipment throughout the EU, lobby the UK Government to opt out of any proposals for a common EU defence strategy." Source: DUP 2014 Manifesto.

GREEN PARTY The Green Party opposes the creation of a European Army and its precursors such as the Rapid Reaction Force, and the use of the EU to sustain military adventures. We are particularly opposed to suggestions that there should be "Eurobomb" nuclear capability. The Green Party does not wish the European Union to become a continental military power. The EU should neither adopt the WEU as its military arm nor become the European pillar of NATO. We seek the dissolution of both those military alliances. Source: Green Party website

LABOUR "Labour will seek to enhance our defence cooperation with allies in Europe where it is in our interests to do so, but we will not support the creation of a European Army." Source: Labour Party Euro Manifesto.

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT "On defence, there can be and never should be a European army." Source: Liberal Democrats website, http://www.libdems.org.uk/nick_clegg_pro_europeans_are_the_real_reformers_now

PLAID CYMRU "Instead of moving towards setting up a European army, which is what some are trying to do, let's establish a European civilian peace corps. Not soldiers - but teachers, engineers, lawyers, all those people with skills that can work in areas of potential conflict to prevent violence and increase tolerance and understanding." Jill Evans MEP, Plaid Cymru. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-26491989

UKIP "I don’t want a European army, navy, air force or a European foreign policy. It has not been a thing for good in the Ukraine" - Party Leader Nigel Farage, http://rt.com/uk/148693-eublood-ukraine-farage/

Human Rights

ALLIANCE PARTY "We also support efforts to ensure that human rights are at the heart of the EU settlement. Alliance believes that human rights protect us all and are an essential part of a modern and fair society. Protecting these on a Europe-wide level ensures that EU citizens have access to the same rights and civil liberties that they would have at home." Source: Alliance Party European Manifesto.

CONSERVATIVE The Conservative party pledge to "stop the European Court of Human Rights forcing Britain to change our laws." Source: Conservative Party website

DUP "Continue to oppose the role of unelected judges within the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights. She (Diane Dodds) will defend the independence and efficiency of the British criminal justice system." Source: DUP 2014 Manifesto.

LABOUR "Labour is proud of the benefits the Human Rights Act has brought to a countless number of people in the UK. We will passionately defend our membership of the European Convention on Human Rights. We mustn’t let the Tories turn back the clock." Source: Labour Party website, http://www.labour.org.uk/blog/entry/our-human-rights-laws-protect-the-weak-from-the-strong

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT "Nick Clegg has launched an attack on Conservative plans to limit the power of the European Court of Human Rights." Source: BBC, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28339686

PLAID CYMRU "While we have concerns about the misuse of the European Arrest Warrant and want to see such claims investigated, the wider picture proves that the EU plays a vital role in protecting the rights of people throughout Wales and the wider UK. We would therefore fiercely challenge any attempt by the UK Government to repeal the Human Rights Act which would in effect withdraw UK citizens from the European Convention on Human Rights." Plaid Cymru's Westminster leader Elfyn Llwyd http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/well-fight-tory-moves-scrap-7132703

SNP "Planning to pull the UK out of the European Court of Human Rights should alarm everyone who cares about these often hard fought for rights and would leave the UK as a pariah in Europe. " - Pete Wishart MP, SNP Home Affairs Spokesperson. http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2014/oct/threats-human-rights-coming-westminster

UKIP "We will repeal the Human Rights Act and replace it with a new British Bill of Rights." Source: UKIP, http://www.ukip.org/policies_for_people

International Aid

CONSERVATIVE "The coalition Government remains committed to investing 0.7% of our national income in overseas development. As part of this, we will continue to support the private member's bill going through Parliament, which looks to enshrine this commitment in law." - Government spokesperson

DUP We believe that the UN target of spending 0.7% of Gross National Income on international aid by 2013 is a target which should be met. It is important however that this money is seen to be delivering the maximum possible benefits for those who are in most need. We believe there must be measurable targets put in place to ensure that aid is being put to the best and most efficient use.

GREEN PARTY "British aid should become 0.7 percent of Gross National Product (GNP) within five years and 1.0 percent of GNP within ten years. Emergency aid, aid to dependent territories and debt relief should be an addition to this." Source: Green Party website, http://policy.greenparty.org.uk/ip.html

LABOUR "If the vote passes today [on the 5th Dec 2014], the UK’s historic commitment to spend 0.7 per cent of our gross national income on international development annually will become law." "If the Bill passes, Britain will become the first country in the G7 to enshrine in law the 0.7 per cent commitment." Source: Labour Party, http://www.labour.org.uk/blog/entry/the-poorest-people-on-the-planet-deserve-more-than-charity-they-deserve-jus

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT "Liberal Democrats will increase the UK' aid budget to reach the UN target of 0.7 per cent of GNI by 2013 and enshrine that target in law." Liberal Democrat Manifesto

SNP "An independent Scotland could be a global leader in international development and as Scotland’s Future makes clear we would enshrine in law a commitment to spending 0.7 per cent of GNI on international aid. This goal was set by the UN in 1970, but the UK has only met the target once in 44 years." Source: SNP website, http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2014/may/scotland-can-lead-way-international-development

UKIP "Next year Britain will be sending £13billion abroad in foreign aid too. In the current financial climate and with living standards still falling for many Britons, this is decadence of a very high order." Nigel Farage writing in the Daily Mail. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/budget2014/article-2584398/NIGEL-FARAGE-Billions-Brussels-foreign-aid-time-austerity-decadence-high-order.html

Scottish Independence

LABOUR "Although the Labour Party and the Scottish National Party both officially supported devolution, support was split in both parties." Source: Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_independence

RESPECT PARTY Respect officially passed a motion at its 2014 AGM which backed a 'No' vote in Scotland's Independence Referendum. The party believes that it is bad for working people both in Scotland and the rest of the UK. Source: http://www.respectparty.org/scotland/

SNP Independence is based on a simple truth. It is fundamentally better for all of us if decisions about Scotland’s future are taken by the people who care most about Scotland - that is by the people of Scotland. It is the people who live here who will do the best job of making our nation a fairer and more successful place. Source: SNP Independence Booklet (PDF): http://www.snp.org/sites/default/files/election/files/05_12b_snp_euro_manifesto_188x245_single-pages_2b.pdf

The Euro

ALLIANCE PARTY Alliance supports the principle of the United Kingdom's entry into the Euro at the earliest appropriate opportunity governed by the economic convergence criteria. We do recognise that those criteria do not clearly exist at present. Source: Alliance Website

CONSERVATIVE The Conservative party pledge "To keep the Pound and Britain out of the Euro". Source: Conservative Party, https://www.conservatives.com/landing_pages/european_election.aspx

DUP "The global economic situation has shown that a European monetary union does not work. The eurozone project, which was politically inspired, is now in crisis." Source: DUP 2014 Manifesto.

LABOUR "We made the right call on not joining the Euro." - Ed Balls, Shadow Chancellor. http://press.labour.org.uk/post/98137818419/speech-by-ed-balls-mp-to-labour-party-annual

Business Location

DUP The DUP would encourage firms from the Far East and elsewhere to locate European bases in Northern Ireland. "...our Province has attracted disproportionately more foreign direct investment than the rest of the UK. Many firms, including Citi Group, Allen and Overy and Coca Cola have increased their investment within our shores.The DUP is committed to safeguarding this progress and attracting increased levels of inward investment in Northern Ireland. " Source: DUP website and 2014 Manifesto.

SNP We will continue to update and implement our China and South Asia engagement plans with a focus on business, trade, education, culture, science and tourism.

Foreign Aid

ALLIANCE PARTY Alliance Party would "Support all EU member states meeting the UN overseas aid target of 0.7% of GNP." Source: 2014 European Manifesto.

CONSERVATIVE The Conservative Party would "Protect foreign aid budget". Source: BBC Manifesto Watch, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29642613

GREEN PARTY "British aid should become 0.7 percent of Gross National Product (GNP) within five years and 1.0 percent of GNP within ten years. Emergency aid, aid to dependent territories and debt relief should be an addition to this." Source: Green Party Website, http://policy.greenparty.org.uk/ip.html

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT "Enshrining the 0.7% target in law will move on the aid debate from how much we spend to how we spend it. This bill will make sure as a country we provide people in grave need with lifesaving support - including food, water, shelter and medical assistance. It will also set an example to other wealthy countries to persuade them to join us in this commitment. I am extremely proud Liberal Democrats in Government have delivered on the 0.7% target and continue to demonstrate our commitment to the world’s poorest." - Liberal Democrat Michael Moore MP, http://www.libdems.org.uk/one_step_closer_to_enshrining_uk_aid_target_in_law

PLAID CYMRU Plaid Cymru would "Honour commitment of 0.7% of budget used for foreign aid." Source: BBC Manifesto Watch, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29642613

SNP The SNP would "Maintain 0.7% commitment to foreign aid". Source: BBC Manifesto Watch. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29642613

UKIP UKIP will cut the foreign aid budget by £9bn pa, prioritising disaster relief and schemes which provide water and inoculation against preventable diseases. Source: UKIP Party Website

Foreign Debts

GREEN PARTY All foreign debts owed by countries officially defined as "Least Developed" should immediately be written off by concerted international action, as well as those of all other countries which need such support in order to meet their MDG targets. Source: Green Party Website

PLAID CYMRU Plaid will press the UK government to honour the commitment to delivering 0.7% of GDP as international aid and we will continue to campaign for the cancellation of developing countries' unaffordable debts. Source: Plaid Cymru

RESPECT PARTY "Cancel the third world debt, with no strings or conditions." - Source: 2010 Respect Party Manifesto.

IMF and World Bank

GREEN PARTY The WTO, International Monetary Fund, World Bank and similar bodies should also be reformed, democratised, or replaced. Source: Green Party website, http://policy.greenparty.org.uk/ip.html

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT "They want democratic control of the global economy with the World Trade Organisation, International Monetary Fund, World Bank – and similar bodies – reformed, democratised or even replaced." Source: The Guardian, http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2015/jan/15/what-are-the-green-partys-policies

PLAID CYMRU We support urgent and far-reaching reforms of the World Bank and IMF in order to improve regulation and accountability. Source: Plaid Cymru.

International Aid

CONSERVATIVE So we will stop giving aid to China and Russia and review which other countries should get British aid. We will focus more on the poorest, paying particular attention to development within the Commonwealth. Source: 2010 Conservative Manifesto

Middle East

GREEN PARTY Iran’s genuine security concerns must be properly addressed, and military intervention would be counterproductive. Source: Green Party http://greenparty.org.uk/values/policies-2010/2010manifesto-international.html

LABOUR We support engagement and pressure on the Iranian regime; it is threatening its own people as well as the security of the region and the world. Source: Labour Party

RESPECT PARTY Respect also supports the struggle towards a democratic system the Middle East, believing that this will bring in an era of governance that is more answerable to the people who elect those governments and less answerable to the big powers who were using the collaborating dictatorships to rule the region by proxy. But we do not support the idea that the big powers can continue to rule by proxy by funding the revolutionary causes to replace regimes that they don’t like. It is up to the Arab people to decide who they want to rule them. Source: Respect Party http://www.respectparty.org/international/arab-world/

UKIP UKIP would "Stopping our endless, foreign wars". Source: http://www.ukip.org/100_days_till_the_election_100_reasons_to_vote_ukip

Middle East Occupation

PLAID CYMRU "Plaid Cymru did not support the war in Iraq; in fact, we vociferously opposed it. Moreover, our MPs led the campaign to impeach Tony Blair for war crimes. We also opposed the invasion of Afghanistan from the beginning and we now call for a move towards a situation in the country where Afghans can be safe to develop their own country without external political influence. Plaid Cymru therefore call for a sufficient humanitarian framework following the gradual withdrawal of troops. " Source: Plaid Cymru, http://www.partyof.wales/our-armed-forces/

RESPECT PARTY The Respect Party was born out of the anti-war movement, which opposed the invasion and occupation of both Afghanistan and Iraq. It is clear for all to see, that both wars have proven to be a disaster for all parties involved. Respects supports the idea of Arabs working towards unity, so they are not subject to the divide-and-rule policies of the imperial powers. Respect also supports the struggle towards a democratic system the Middle East, believing that this will bring in an era of governance that is more answerable to the people who elect those governments and less answerable to the big powers who were using the collaborating dictatorships to rule the region by proxy. Source: Respect Party website.

UKIP UKIP would "Stopping our endless, foreign wars". Source: http://www.ukip.org/100_days_till_the_election_100_reasons_to_vote_ukip

Nuclear Weapons

GREEN PARTY Nuclear weapons are political weapons of terror, and are disproportionate to any threat. Further, since there is a finite possibility that the policy of nuclear deterrence will fail, and the ecological and social consequences of such a failure would be catastrophic, the deterrence system must be abandoned. The Green Party is committed to pursuing immediate and unconditional nuclear disarmament. Source: Green Party Peace Manifesto. http://policy.greenparty.org.uk/assets/images/policy/pdfs/Peace.pdf

LABOUR "Labour believes that Britain should be leading international efforts for multilateral nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, while maintaining a minimum, credible independent nuclear deterrent, delivered through a Continuous At-Sea Deterrent. Following the action we took in government, it is vital that the UK continue to actively enhance momentum on global multilateral disarmament and take a lead internationally in pushing the agenda of global anti-proliferation with nuclear and non-nuclear states." - Labour’s Shadow Foreign Secretary, Douglas Alexander MP, and Shadow Defence Secretary, Vernon Coaker MP in a letter to David Cameron.

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT "In 2010, we committed to making Nuclear Weapons History. In Glasgow we agreed to take a big step down the nuclear ladder by ending continuous-at-sea-deterrence, an unnecessary hangover of the Cold War. This will give significant leverage in global nuclear weapons reductions talks in 2015 and will help us move toward s nuclear-free world." Julie Smith, Liberal Democrats

RESPECT PARTY Respect supports the abolition of the arms trade and the terms of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, campaigning for international nuclear disarmament. Source: Respect Party, http://www.respectparty.org/international/trade-arms-nuclear-weapons/

SNP We will continue to support the work of the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and his efforts through the Nuclear Weapons Convention to eradicate nuclear, chemical and biological weapons across the planet . Source: Scottish National Party 2010 Manifesto

Tobin Tax

ALLIANCE PARTY Alliance endorses the introduction of a small tax on international financial transactions, such as the proposed 'Tobin Tax' . Organised multilaterally, the proceeds would fund international development. Source: Alliance Party

CONSERVATIVE According to Chancellor George Osborne, "A Tobin tax [a proposed tax on international financial transactions] won't raise much revenue".

GREEN PARTY "In the long term we would promote international funding (perhaps from a Tobin Tax to buy out the owners of certain patents, based entirely on global social and environmental usefulness, with the patent becoming available to all once the payment had been made". Source: Green Party http://policy.greenparty.org.uk/ec.html

PLAID CYMRU Plaid Cymru upport the 'Tobin' or 'Robin hood' tax as a means of encouraging more responsibility and stability in the global markets. Source: BBC Manifesto Watch, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29642613

UN and NATO

CONSERVATIVE "EU policy must never be a replacement for national decision-making and national defence policy, and neither should it duplicate or undermine the work of NATO, which must remain the bedrock of our security." Source: Conservative Party 2014 European Manifesto.

GREEN PARTY The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) is a mil itary -oriented body, which imposes conflict cessation rather than encouraging peace building. As such, it is not a sustainable mechanism for maintaining peace in the world. We would take the UK out of NATO unilaterally. Source: Green Party 'Peace' Manifesto.

LABOUR The report [Towards the next Defence and Security Review: Part Two - NATO] reiterates the importance of NATO as the cornerstone of the UK’s defence policy and as the sole organisation for collective defence. As part of this, Labour welcomes the announcement made earlier this week that the UK will send a battle group to participate in Exercise Black Eagle in October as part of a NATO package to reassure our allies in Eastern Europe. Source: Vernon Coaker MP, Labour Shadow Defence Secretary.

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT The Liberal Democrats would work with our partners in the EU, NATO, the UN and the Commonwealth to tackle security challenges and seek peaceful solutions to conflicts worldwide. Source: Liberal Democrat party website.

PLAID CYMRU Plaid Cymru rejects NATO as a nuclear alliance and a product of the Cold War. The modern world requires cooperation that is not built on the old-fashioned premise of competing military blocs but rather one that brings all countries and hemispheres together in the common pursuit of peace, reconciliation and justice. Source: Plaid Cymru website, http://www.partyof.wales/news/2014/09/04/plaid-cymru-statement-on-nato-summit/

RESPECT PARTY We support the idea that Britain should leave NATO. Furthermore, NATO should be disbanded and replaced with a European Union defence organisation which does not involve the United States and which reflects the interests of its own member states. This organisation would be responsible for securing Europe’s borders and for security issues in or on the borders of the European zone only. Source: Respect Party. http://www.respectparty.org/international/nato/

SNP An SNP Government will maintain NATO membership subject to an agreement that Scotland will not host nuclear weapons and NATO continues to respect the right of members to only take part in UN sanctioned operations. After the [Autumn conference 2012] debate, SNP members voted 426-332 to overturn their policy of opposition to Nato. Source: WIkipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NATO_debate_in_the_Scottish_National_Party

Devolution from Westminster

CONSERVATIVE Chancellor George Osborne says more power is being given to Wales, as he backs a tidal lagoon project for Swansea and a city deal for Cardiff in his Budget speech. Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-31940008

GREEN PARTY The Central Parliament needs to be prepared to surrender many of its traditional powers, and actively assist in the process of decentralisation. To this end, Parliament has a number of key roles to play - first, to devolve functions to more local bodies; second, to lift its hold over councils and enable them to realise their potential; and third, to work with the Constitutional Commission to meet demands from local Government to take on responsibility for resources and functions which are currently dealt with at too high a level by central Government and the private sector.

LABOUR Labour would "Devolve to all parts of England, including the shires, not just the Tories limited plans for a handful of big cities." Source: Labour Party Manifesto, http://b.3cdn.net/labouruk/89012f856521e93a4d_phm6bflfq.pdf We will implement the Smith Commission's package of further devolution to Scotland, and put devolution to Wales on a stronger statutory basis, as in Scotland.

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT Liberal Democrats would introduce ‘Devolution on Demand’, enabling even greater devolution of powers from Westminster to councils or groups of councils working together (for example to a Cornish Assembly). Source: Liberal Democrat pre-2015 Manifesto

PLAID CYMRU "The introduction of Welsh legal jurisdiction to make our own laws." Source: Plaid Cymru, http://www.partyof.wales/easy-read-manifesto/

UKIP UKIP will overcome the unfairness of MPs from devolved nations voting on English-only issues.

Devolution Powers

CONSERVATIVE David Cameron has said he would like to see more money devolved to UK regions http://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2014/jul/10/labour-conservatives-powers-councils-devolution

DUP Press ahead rapidly with the reconfiguration of local government and transferring of extra powers from central Departments.

GREEN PARTY The Central Parliament needs to be prepared to surrender many of its traditional powers, and actively assist in the process of decentralisation. To this end, Parliament has a number of key roles to play - first, to devolve functions to more local bodies;

LABOUR We will pass an English Devolution Act, handing £30 billion of resources, and powers over skills, transport and economic development to city and county regions.

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT A new wave of devolution to the nations of the UK and 'Devolution on Demand' to transfer more power and control to local areas.

PLAID CYMRU We oppose the micro management of local councils by central government and are committed to ensuring that local councils have the freedom and funding to respond appropriately to local issues.

English Parliament

CONSERVATIVE Mr Cameron said he did not back an English Parliament but instead adapting the voting procedures in Westminster for English-only and English and Welsh issues. http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/scottish-politics/cameron-only-conservatives-can-offer-balanced-devolution-for-uk.1411899301

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT on the divisive issue of English votes for English matters, we must start with the work of Sir William McKay, who has already done a lot of the heavy lifting after the Coalition asked him to look at this. Sir McKay suggested a number of ways of giving English MPs a special right to vet legislation where it only affects England, bringing in Welsh MPs where appropriate, in a way which avoids fragmenting the Commons http://www.libdems.org.uk/nick_clegg_this_opportunity_cannot_be_hijacked

PLAID CYMRU Plaid Cymru's core belief is that the people of Wales should have the right to determine their own future – and the people of England have that right as well. Source: Hywel Williams MP http://www.partyof.wales/news/2012/04/23/plaid-call-for-english-parliament-on-st-georges-day/

UKIP UKIP will overcome the unfairness of MPs from devolved nations voting on English-only issues.

House of Lords

ALLIANCE PARTY Alliance believes that the House of Lords should be replaced by a mixed elected and appointed second chamber. The principle of inherited representation is wrong. However, there is a case for a second chamber to act as a balance to the House of Commons

CONSERVATIVE The government was facing considerable opposition, particularly among Conservative MPs. In July, 91 Tory MPs rebelled against the government in a vote on how to timetable the House of Lords Reform Bill - the largest such act of defiance since the coalition was formed in 2010 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-18612233

GREEN PARTY The Green Party propose a reform of the House of Lords so that they become a fully elected body chosen by proportional representation. Members will only be elected for 'for one fixed term of ten years, with half the house being elected every five years'. Source: Green Party Manifesto

LABOUR Replace the House of Lords with a Senate of the Nations and Regions. Source: Labour Party Manifesto, http://b.3cdn.net/labouruk/89012f856521e93a4d_phm6bflfq.pdf

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT Liberal Democrats would reform the House of Lords with a proper democratic mandate starting from the 2012 Bill. Source: Liberal Democrat pre-2015 Manifesto

PLAID CYMRU The recent report from Richard Wyn Jones and the IPPR showed the support for an English Parliament and we believe that such a move would make sense if allied to wider constitutional change including reform of the House of Lords and a permanent commission to ensure fair funding for Wales, independent of the UK Treasury Source: Hywel Williams MP http://www.partyof.wales/news/2012/04/23/plaid-call-for-english-parliament-on-st-georges-day/

SNP SNP MP, Pete Wishart, will this week call for the House of Lords to be abolished. Pete Wishart has secured a House of Commons debate week with the title - ‘House of Lords Reform’. The SNP have a long standing position of not taking peerages and do not take seats in the House of Lords because it believes that those making laws should be elected by the people. http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2015/jan/snp-debate-end-absurd-house-lords

UKIP "We are going to absolutely insist we are given a sensible, fair quota of working peers to operate in the House of Lords." http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27738940

Human Rights Act

ALLIANCE PARTY We also support efforts to ensure that human rights are at the heart of the EU settlement. Alliance believes that human rights protect us all and are an essential part of a modern and fair society alliance-2014-european-manifesto

CONSERVATIVE The Conservatives want to scrap the Human Rights Act, replacing it with a British Bill of Rights that gives both Parliament and the UK court system the 'final say'. The new bill will stop the European Court of Human Rights forcing Britain to change our laws, make Britain the ultimate arbiter of human rights in this country, balance rights with responsibilities and stop terrorists and foreign criminals abusing human rights to avoid deportation. Source: https://www.conservatives.com/ShareTheFacts.aspx

DUP • Support, as a minimum, the reform of the Human Rights Act, to remove the ‘right to family life’ defence against deportation upon conviction for a serious criminal offence. http://dev.mydup.com/images/uploads/publications/DUP_Crime_A5_v5.pdf

GREEN PARTY Citizens of any country should, however, be able to pursue both companies and countries who have behaved in ways which violate their human rights in European courts. http://greenparty.org.uk/assets/files/European%20Manifesto%202014.pdf

LABOUR Labour would "Lead by example on human rights, up holding them domestically through the Human Rights Act, and advocating them overseas." Source: Labour Party Manifesto, http://b.3cdn.net/labouruk/89012f856521e93a4d_phm6bflfq.pdf

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT In government, Liberal Democrats refused to support the Conservatives' plans to scrap the Human Rights Act and their latest plans show how they cannot be trusted to protect the human rights of individuals. http://www.libdems.org.uk/tories-pick-choose-human-rights

PLAID CYMRU We support the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) that underpins our justice system. Plaid Cymru would challenge any attempt by the UK government to repeal the Human Rights Act, ‡ˆˆ‡…™‹Š†ƒ™‹‰…‹‹œ‡•ˆ‘Š‡ Š‡Šƒ•‘ http://partyof.wales/uploads/Ewrop_2014_/EU_Manifesto_English.pdf

SNP Planning to pull the UK out of the European Court of Human Rights should alarm everyone who cares about these often hard fought for rights and would leave the UK as a pariah in Europe Source: Pete Wishart MP, SNP Home Affairs spokesperson http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2014/oct/threats-human-rights-coming-westminster

UKIP UKIP would remove the UK from the jurisdiction of the European Court of Human Rights. Source: http://www.ukip.org/issues

Members of Parliament

ALLIANCE PARTY Alliance will support the consideration of a system whereby electors can recall an MP in the event of major breaches of code of conduct and law.

CONSERVATIVE Introducing the "power of recall" - allowing voters to force a by-election when MPs have been found guilty of wrongdoing and 10% of his or her constituents have signed a petition calling for their removal - was one of the promises in the 2010 coalition agreement between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29692871

LABOUR shadow constitutional reform minister Stephen Twigg said his party would look to strengthen the legislation as it proceeded through Parliament. He said: "We need a system that improves accountability and one that gives more power to the public to hold their representatives to account between elections. That, I think, is a matter of fairness.

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT Introducing the "power of recall" - allowing voters to force a by-election when MPs have been found guilty of wrongdoing and 10% of his or her constituents have signed a petition calling for their removal - was one of the promises in the 2010 coalition agreement between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29692871

UKIP UKIP supports the recall of MPs as was originally promised in the Coalition Agreement, whereby 20% of the electorate in a constituency must sign a recall petition within eight weeks. The approval of MPs will not be required to initiate a recall petition.

CONSERVATIVE The Conservative Party proposed, in their 2010 election manifesto, to cut the number of MPs by 10% http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-19166125

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT he Lib Dems said in their manifesto they wanted a more radical cut in the number of MPs - from 650 to 500 - but only if a more proportional voting system was introduced to elect MPs. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-19166125

RESPECT PARTY Respect supports a large reduction in the number of members of parliament, calling for 'a parliament that is half its present size, where MPs are paid a wage in line with careers of equivalent responsibility. Their staff should be employed by the state and not by the MP themselves'. Source: http://www.respectparty.org/british-parliament/

SNP Along with our support for proportional representation, we support a large reduction in the number of members of parliament.

Minimum Voting Age

ALLIANCE PARTY Alliance will support �Votes at 16'. Young people have a stake in society. They can pay taxes and participate in the services. It is inconsistent to deny young people the right to have their say in the future.

CONSERVATIVE The Conservative party has historically opposed allowing voting at 16 years of age. Former children's minister Tim Loughton stated that 'the party would be better off focusing on increasing the number of 18- to 24-year-olds that vote'. Source: http://www.cypnow.co.uk/cyp/news/1147153/conservative-party-conference-votes-supported

GREEN PARTY The voting age for all elections, and the age at which people may take seats at any level of Government, would be reduced to 16. Source: Green Party Manifesto

LABOUR Labour will "Give 16 and 17 year olds the vote." Source: Labour Party Manifesto, http://b.3cdn.net/labouruk/89012f856521e93a4d_phm6bflfq.pdf

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT The Liberal Democrats would introduce votes at age 16 for elections and referenda, and attempt to make it easier to register to vote in schools and colleges. Source: Liberal Democrat pre-2015 Manifesto

PLAID CYMRU Plaid Cymru's Lord Dafydd Wigley recently (Nov 2014) tabled an amendment that could empower the Assembly to determine if 16 year olds could vote. Speaking at a debate, he said, 'Plaid Cymru has long campaigned for the lowering of the voting age in Wales to 16 years old'. Source: http://www.partyofwales.org/news/2014/11/11/plaid-cymru-acts-to-grant-votes-at-16/

RESPECT PARTY Respect supports allowing the electorate to vote at age 16, saying 'they can get married, join the army and the taxes of many 16 year olds help to provide benefits for all of us. It is only right that they receive the right to vote to choose how those taxes should be spent.' http://www.respectparty.org/national/votes-for-16-year-olds/

SNP The Scottish National Party support lowering the voting age to 16, and are in support of the 'Votes at 16' campaign, a national group of UK youth organisations and political parties that are in favour of reducing the voting age to 16 for all public elections. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Votes_at_16 www.votesat16.org

UKIP UKIP are against lowering the age of voting to sixteen years of age. "The voting age should not be lowered from 18 to 16, says deputy UKIP leader Paul Nuttall. “Sixteen-year-olds do not have enough life experience to make sound judgements when voting and consequently I am against reducing the age limit.” Source: http://ukipnw.org.uk/voting-age-should-not-be-lowered/

Party Donations

ALLIANCE PARTY Alliance will support a cap on the level of donations to political parties from individual sources. The initial level of a cap should be around £10,000 per annum.

LABOUR Labour would "take the big money out of politics by capping individual donations to parties. Source: Labour Party Manifesto.

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT The Liberal Democrats would cap donations to political parties, at £10,000 per person each year, and introduce reforms to party funding along the lines of the recent report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life. Source: Liberal Democrat pre-2015 Manifesto

Royal Family

GREEN PARTY The Green Party believes that the hereditary principle should have no place in government, and advocates that the monarchy shall cease to be an office of government. The legislative, executive and judicial roles of the monarch shall cease. Peers and members of the royal family shall have the same civil rights and fiscal obligations as other citizens. A settlement of property held by the current royal family shall be made, to divide it between that required for the private life of current members of the family and that to be public property. Source: http://policy.greenparty.org.uk/pa.html

24 Hour Access to GPs

LABOUR We will guarantee that you will be able to see a GP within 48 hours, which will help to tackle A&E waiting times.

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT Encourage GPs to work together to improve access and availability of appointments, including out of hours.

SNP More flexible access to healthcare - We want services to more closely reflect the realities of family and working life.

UKIP We will ensure that GPs' surgeries are open at least one evening per week, where there is demand for it.

Doctors Nurses

CONSERVATIVE Reducing bureaucracy to pay for more than 8,000 more doctors and 6,000 more nurses on wards so frontline services deliver for you and your family.

DUP The DUP will increase spending on health in real terms, ensure that resources are targeted on the front line through greater efficiency and productivity and expand cancer services.

LABOUR a future Labour government would pay for 36,000 more doctors, nurses and midwives, partly funded by a tax on tobacco firms http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29310512

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT Improving services across the NHS, with 6,000 more doctors, lower waiting times and giving cancer drugs to 30,000 people. http://www.libdems.org.uk/health

PLAID CYMRU Plaid Cymru want "1000 more doctors in Wales and faster GP appointments." Source: Plaid Cymru, http://www.partyof.wales/easy-read-manifesto/

RESPECT PARTY An expansion of training opportunities for doctors, nursing and related services.

UKIP UKIP would recruit more lower-qualified nurses into the NHS in a bid to encourage more 'home-grown medical talent'. Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/general-election-2015/11453107/General-Election-2015-How-each-party-will-tackle-the-NHS.html

Healthy Living

DUP Encourage fast food outlets, restaurants, sandwich chains, cafes, public houses and company canteens to display calorie counts on menus.

GREEN PARTY The Green Party would also introduce a complete ban on the promotion of tobacco and alcohol products, including sponsorship, advertising (direct or indirect) and product placement on remuneration or reward.

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT The Liberal Democrats would 'do more to tackle the causes of ill health, including promoting healthy eating and exercise, making people aware of the dangers of smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol and other drugs, and helping to improve mental health and well-being.' Source: Liberal Democrat pre-2015 Manifesto

UKIP UKIP will amend the smoking ban to give pubs and clubs the choice to open smoking rooms properly ventilated and separated from non-smoking areas.

Hospital Car Parking Charges

ALLIANCE PARTY "The Alliance Party is committed to a Health Service free at the point of delivery. That is not currently what we have. People have to pay to park to visit family members and friends; people have to pay for eye checks and teeth checks; people have to pay for personal care for older people. So, we would seek to put in place a strategy to reduce and, ideally, eventually remove all those charges." Source: Alliance Party website, http://allianceparty.org/article/2008/0003956/mccarthy-speaks-on-hospital-car-parking-charges

CONSERVATIVE "Patients and families shouldn't have to deal with the added stress of unfair parking charges. These clear ground rules set out our expectations, and will help the public hold the NHS to account for unfair charges or practices" - Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt. Source: BBC, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28905695

LABOUR "The Tory-led Government scrapped Labour’s plans to phase out car parking charges for patients and Jeremy Hunt needs to take responsibility for the fact that since then one in four hospitals have increased parking fees. Any action to ease the burden of car parking charges on patients and their visitors is welcome. When people go to hospital, the last thing they want to worry about is parking fees." - Andrew Gwynne, Shadow Health Minister. Source: Labour Press, http://press.labour.org.uk/post/95534234449/government-scrapped-labours-plans-to-phase-out

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT "Lib Dem former care minister Paul Burstow stressed that parking being used as a "cash cow" in the NHS is "not acceptable". Source: BBC, http://www.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/house-of-commons-29016471

SNP "Keeping health free – we have abolished prescription charges, the tax on the sick, and we have also abolished car parking charges in NHS hospitals brought in under the previous Labour/Lib-Dem Executive" Source: SNP Website, http://www.snp.org/vision/healthier-scotland/health-and-wellbeing

UKIP UKIP have stated that they will commit to spending £200m of the £2bn saving [from disallowing migrants access to free treatment on the NHS] to end hospital car parking charges in England. Source: UKIP Policy.

Mental Health

ALLIANCE PARTY We would address the structural underfunding of mental health services, particularly with respect to children and young people

DUP This year will see the introduction of the ground-breaking Mental Capacity (Northern Ireland) Bill. The Bill will bring together mental capacity law (which will support people who are unable to make specific decisions about their health, welfare or finances), and mental health law (which concerns the detention and treatment of people with a mental disorder) into a single framework. This approach is novel, and unlike the rest of the United Kingdom where mental health law and mental capacity law are governed by two separate legislative acts. http://www.mydup.com/news/article/ross-addresses-mental-health-knowledge-exchange-seminar

GREEN PARTY The Green Party would "Make mental health a much higher priority with resources to match this status. - See more at: https://www.greenparty.org.uk/we-stand-for/public-nhs.html" Source: Green Party Website, https://www.greenparty.org.uk/we-stand-for/public-nhs.html

LABOUR We will change the NHS Constitution to give people the right to psychological therapies for mental health problems like anxiety and depression helping to give mental health the same priority as physical health.

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT 14 March 2015 - Liberal Democrat leader has said that mental health services in England would receive a £1.25bn boost over the next five years. Source: BBC News, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31882429

PLAID CYMRU "Better mental health care and wider help and understanding of mental health issues." Source: Plaid Cymru, http://www.partyof.wales/easy-read-manifesto/

RESPECT PARTY The expansion of psychiatric health services.

UKIP UKIP have announced in early 2015 that they would provide an extra £650m for dementia services.

Mixed Sex Hospital Wards

CONSERVATIVE Being forced to share hospital accommodation with the opposite sex can be distressing and undignified - particularly for older people. "Putting a stop to it has meant patients are getting treated with more compassion and respect." http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/11169380/Ministers-hail-dignity-victory-in-war-on-mixed-sex-wards.html

GREEN PARTY The Green Party have stated in their manifesto that they would seek to end the practice of mixed-sex accommodation in hospital wards. Source: Green Party Manifesto

Research Health Cancer

ALLIANCE PARTY Alliance supports the reintroduction of a small prescription charge and I would personally be happy to pay this small fee for my prescriptions if I knew that it could help to fund cancer drugs which are not currently available in Northern Ireland http://allianceparty.org/article/2015/0009477/cochrane-supports-reintroduction-of-prescription-charges-to-pay-for-cancer-drugs

CONSERVATIVE We're announcing an extra £160 million for the Cancer Drugs Fund to give more patients access to the latest and best cancer drugs.

DUP The DUP will increase spending on health in real terms, ensure that resources are targeted on the front line through greater efficiency and productivity and expand cancer services.

LABOUR Labour will create a new annual Cancer Treatments Fund to improve access not just to the latest drugs but also to the latest forms of radiotherapy and surgery that are too often not available for thousands of people with cancer. http://press.labour.org.uk/post/104745617299/labour-will-tackle-scandal-of-cancer-patients

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT Invest in research and set ambitious goals to improve outcomes for the most serious life-threatening diseases like cancer and long-term conditions like dementia.

PLAID CYMRU We want to see the Welsh NHS participate in more clinical trials and research. We want to see improved availability of diagnostics for cancers and chronic conditions. We want to see a medical service that is judged on its outcomes for people, not on inputs.

SNP One stop cancer diagnosis - As part of our plans to ensure shorter cancer waiting times.

Right to Assisted Death

CONSERVATIVE "David Cameron and Nick Clegg have both voiced opposition to changing the law. Mr Clegg, whose mother is Dutch, said even limited assisted suicide in Holland had created a culture in which doctors push the boundaries of the law." Source: Telegraph, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10685362/Assisted-suicide-moves-closer-as-Government-allows-free-vote.html

GREEN PARTY The Green Party would seek to provide the right to an assisted death, 'within a rigorous framework of regulation, and in the context of the availability of the highest level of palliative care'. Source: Green Party Manifesto

LABOUR "Lord Falconer, a campaigner on the right to assisted dying, is also leading a Private Members’ Bill in the Lords to let doctors prescribe a lethal dose of drugs to terminally ill patients. Inside sources claim Mr Miliband is sympathetic to Lord Falconer’s request, but other Labour MPs remain against making it a firm manifesto pledge, fearing a move would prove a vote-loser. " Source: https://www.politicshome.com/home-affairs/articles/story/labour-talks-considering-assisted-suicide-pledge

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT "David Cameron and Nick Clegg have both voiced opposition to changing the law. Mr Clegg, whose mother is Dutch, said even limited assisted suicide in Holland had created a culture in which doctors push the boundaries of the law." Source: Telegraph, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10685362/Assisted-suicide-moves-closer-as-Government-allows-free-vote.html

PLAID CYMRU Plaid Cymru's Simon Thomas said: "The House of Lords Bill, if passed, will signal a major change in our approach as a society to dying and individuals' decisions. I recognise many Assembly Members will have strong views on this Bill as do our citizens. Though this issue has not been devolved to Wales, unlike for example organ donation, it is vital that our own parliament has an opportunity to form a view on one of the most pressing ethical issues of our age. I will be voting in favour of supporting the principles of the Assisted Dying Bill." Source: BBC, http://www.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/cymru-30381674

The NHS

DUP Explore the potential for Northern Ireland to be included in the NHS Choices website which has provided a better service and saved close to £50 million in England.

GREEN PARTY Funding will be diverted away from centralised facilities towards community healthcare, illness prevention and health promotion. Community Health Centres will be the focal points for self-help and community-based initiatives and will also provide a wide range of services including primary healthcare, and health education and health promotion programmes.

LABOUR We will repeal David Cameron’s Health and Social Care Act, putting right the worst of the changes the Tories have made. We’ll ensure that the Secretary of State has a duty to guarantee a national service free at the point of use; we’ll remove enforced competition; we’ll ensure private patients aren’t put before NHS patients; and we’ll tackle conflicts of interest. Source: Labour Manifesto

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT Reform the NHS payment system to encourage better integration of hospital and community care services and better preventative care for people with long term conditions. This would include more use of personal budgets for people who want them and better access to technology and services to help people get care closer to home. Secure local agreement on and pooling of budgets between the NHS and social care.

RESPECT PARTY Bring all agencies administering care services into public ownership under NHS or local government control.

UKIP Middle management cuts.

THe NHS

DUP Have 80% of domiciliary care provided by charities and other nonstatutory organisations by 2015, releasing savings extending to tens of millions of pounds per year

GREEN PARTY The Green Party has drawn up a bill that would restrict the role of commercial companies in the NHS. The party's website states, "The party would strictly oppose any NHS privatisation and the treatment of healthcare as a commercial activity. They would maintain a publicly funded, publicly provided health service free of charge. In addition, the Green Party would abolish prescription charges, reintroduce free eye tests and NHS dental treatment." Source: Green Party Manifesto

LABOUR 27 March 2015 - Labour leader Ed Miliband has said at the start of his election campaign that his party would cap the amount of profit private firms are able to make from the NHS in England, saying that he wants to ensure a 'proper' level of funding. Profit margins would be limited to 5% on contracts above £500,000. Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-32083668

PLAID CYMRU "No NHS privatisation." - Source: Plaid Cymru, http://www.partyof.wales/easy-read-manifesto/

RESPECT PARTY Opposition to PFI schemes; all privatised services to be brought back into the NHS.

SNP The Scottish National Party will be supporting this Private Members Bill in the House of Commons to prevent the back-door privatisation of the health service. While responsibility for the NHS in Scotland is devolved to the Scottish Parliament, any cuts to NHS funding in England have knock on implications for the Scottish block grant and result in cuts to the Scottish budget. Source: SNP http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2014/nov/snp-will-vote-prevent-nhs-privatisation

UKIP "UKIP is committed to an NHS that is free at the point of access and paid for out of taxation, full stop." - Nigel Farage. Although it has been speculated that UKIP had "longstanding support" for elements of the NHS to be privatised, Farage has said that the idea was rejected by the rest of the party.

BBC TV Licence

CONSERVATIVE "There is a policy proposal going around to cut the licence fee by £50. The negotiation after the election will be very big. Some Cabinet ministers regard £50 as the minimum cut." Source: Money.aol, http://money.aol.co.uk/2014/10/13/conservatives-consider-tv-licence-fee-cut/

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT The Liberal Democrat party would act to protect the independence of the BBC, funded by the Licence Fee. Source: Liberal Democrat pre-2015 Manifesto

UKIP We will review the BBC Licence Fee with a view to its reduction. Prosecution of non-payments of the Licence Fee would be taken out of the criminal sphere and made a civil offence.

Child Benefit

CONSERVATIVE The Conservative party have today (5th March 2015) considered limiting child benefit to a maximum of three children in order to save the economy around £300m a year. Conservative MP Dominic Raab commented that the proposal would not only save money but also "send a message about personal responsibility". Source: BBC Politics, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-31743031

Council Tax

ALLIANCE PARTY Alliance would encourage energy efficiency in homes by being part of the Northern Ireland Green New Deal, offering incentives and regulations to 'encourage the installation of such measures, including smart meters and home insulation'. Source: Alliance Party Westminster Manifesto

GREEN PARTY "... encourage take-up of energy efficiency investment (through varying council tax rates for example)" Source: Green Party website policy, http://policy.greenparty.org.uk/ey.html

LABOUR "Further incentives, such as Council Tax rebates, will be required to deliver the 1m upgrades to domestic properties targeted in the [Energy Efficiency] Strategy." http://www.greenbuildnews.co.uk/news-details/BPF-comments-on-Labours-Energy-Efficiency-Strategy/940

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT The Liberal Democrats would build on the 'Green Deal' with a national programme that would cut household's council tax bills should they take part in the scheme, aimed to raise energy efficiency standards in Britain's households. Source: Liberal Democrat pre-2015 Manifesto

Food Labelling

CONSERVATIVE "Support the introduction of food labelling to give consumers more information about where and how our food is produced, while avoiding burdensome rules for small firms." Source: Conservative Euro Manifesto.

GREEN PARTY The Green Party would push for "improved food labelling and better traceability of our food to prevent further food scandals such as the horse-meat scandal". Source: Green Party Animal Protection Manifesto.

LABOUR "And to support the population as a whole, Labour will pursue improvements to food labelling to help people better understand what they are eating, including working at EU level to introduce traffic-light labelling of packaged food. " Source: Labour Press, http://press.labour.org.uk/post/108114239664/labours-new-approach-to-public-health-andy

PLAID CYMRU "We have worked to constantly improve food labelling and give consumers real information and choice. It is unacceptable to label food as healthy when it contains large amounts of sugar and salt." Source: Plaid Cymru Euro manifesto.

Free Childcare

CONSERVATIVE "Our new Tax Free Childcare will [stop women feeling that they have to choose between their family and their career], giving parents up to £2,000 of support towards childcare costs, and making the return to work after having a child that little bit easier." Source: Conservative Press, http://press.conservatives.com/post/98807929855/nicky-morgan-speech-to-conservative-party

GREEN PARTY "We would extend the hours of nursery/children’s centre entitlement for children aged 3 and 4, this and try to give parents and carers as much flexibility as possible in terms of times and locations. The provision of occasional ‘ad hoc’ care will be encouraged and facilitated." Source: Green Party Website, http://policy.greenparty.org.uk/sw.html

LABOUR Parents shouldn't face the prospect of taking a job that ends up costing them more than they’ll earn. We will give working parents 25 hours of free childcare for three and four-year-olds per week. Source: Labour Manifesto

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT The Liberal Democrats would aim to make 20 hours of free childcare a week available for all parents with children aged from 2 to 4, and all working parents from the end of paid maternity leave (9 months) to 2 years, by 2020. They would start by providing 15 hours a week of free childcare to the parents of all 2 year olds, paid for by cancelling the Conservative plan to introduce a marriage allowance into the tax system. Then prioritise 15 hours free childcare to all working parents with children aged between 9 months and 2 years. Source: Liberal Democrat pre-2015 Manifesto

PLAID CYMRU "The other options outlined are to top up the existing ten hours Foundation Phase place offered to three and four year olds with twenty hours of free childcare, and to offer ten hours free childcare for three year olds on top of the existing ten hour Foundation Phase place and twenty hours free childcare for two year olds." Source: Plaid Cymru website, http://www.partyof.wales/news/2014/03/06/full-time-high-quality-education-for-all-children-from-the-age-of-three/

SNP "For all there will be radical social protection, a huge increase in free childcare, helping parents return to work and giving their kids the best start in life." Nicola Sturgeon, SNP. http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/11/22/snp-to-team-up-with-plaid-cymru-and-greens-to-end-austerity-economics_n_6204794.html

Free School Meals

GREEN PARTY We would continue the school Fruit and Vegetable Scheme, with a strong preference for organic and local produce. Such meals will be free to all children http://policy.greenparty.org.uk/he.html

LABOUR Tristram Hunt MP, Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary, commenting on the Government’s introduction of Free School Meals, said: “Nick Clegg has over-promised and under-delivered. Many schools have had to raid their budgets to pay for a policy that was introduced on a political timetable. http://www.labour.org.uk/search?cx=003398791842430890827%3Ayyeijwya5em&ie=UTF-8&q=free+school+meals&sa=Search

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT Extend free school meals to all children in primary education, as resources allow and after a full evaluation of free meals for infants, while ensuring that school food standards apply to all schools, including academies.

PLAID CYMRU We are committed to the Foundation Phase – which emphasises learning through play, and we call for a study into the feasibility of providing every infant school child in Wales with free school meals as there is a clear link between poor diet and educational attainment http://www.partyof.wales/our-vision-for-our-children/

SNP With all pupils in Primary 1 to Primary 3 set to be entitled to a free school meal from tomorrow - Monday 5th January - the SNP is today highlighting the importance of the policy - with 135,000 children expected to benefit and families of every eligible child saving at least £330 per year. http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2015/jan/p1-p3-children-entitled-free-school-meals

UKIP The financial situation has not been helped one jot by the madness of Nick Clegg's demand for free school meals for young primary school children, a project already in disarray with shortage of funds Source: Mr Nuttall, UKIP Education spokesman http://www.ukip.org/elephant_in_the_classroom

Gas and Electricity Bills

CONSERVATIVE 19 March 2015 - "It is not in our policies to freeze energy bills" - Ed Davey, Energy & Climate Change Secretary at the Energy and Climate Change Questions session in the House of Commons.

DUP The DUP would "Challenge the European Commission and European Parliament to proactively tackle rising energy costs across Europe." Source: DUP 2014 Manifesto.

LABOUR "We will make life more affordable for millions of people. We’ll freeze gas and electricity bills until 2017 and reform the broken energy market to stop the cost of energy bills soaring." Source: Labour Manifesto

PLAID CYMRU "Plaid Cymru has called on the Welsh government to publish an action plan to alleviate high utility bills." Source: BBC Democracy Live. http://www.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/wales-30060899

SNP "... perhaps we can all, therefore, unite in calling on the UK Government to do more around fuel prices. I know Jackie Baillie has previously called for a freeze in energy prices. Will she join with me today in calling on the UK Government to go further than that and restructure energy bills so that we can take the burden of energy efficiency off energy bills and actually deliver a cut?" - Nicola Sturgeon, 11 December 2014.

Household Recycling

GREEN PARTY The Green Party's goals are to increase the amount of domestic waste we recycle to 70%, gradually moving towards a zero-waste target. In their manifesto they believe that 'the Government provides the infrastructure, people do the recycling'. Source: Green Party Manifesto

Married Couples Tax

CONSERVATIVE September 2013 that the Prime Minister announced that from April 2015 spouses and civil partners would be allowed to transfer £1,000 of their own allowance to their partner – provided neither of them were higher rate taxpayers. www.parliament.uk/briefing-papers/sn04392.pdf

LABOUR The shadow chancellor described the transferable tax allowance for married couples - due to come into force in April 2015 - as "perverse and unfair". http://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/ed-balls-labour-would-ditch-married-couples-tax-break-9190909.html

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT You don't build a fairer society by using the tax system to favour one type of family over another. We should support all families, not just the minority of married ones where one person stays at home Source: Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson Stephen Williams http://www.libdems.org.uk/marriage_tax_break_is_wrong_priority

SNP "In a time of tight resources we do not believe it is right to go ahead with David Cameron’s married couples tax allowance: a policy that discriminates against widows, single parent families and which only benefits one-third of married couples." Source: Alex Salmond, SNP website, http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2014/apr/first-minister-alex-salmond-snp-conference-address

Smoking Facilities in Pubs

ALLIANCE PARTY "We must do all that is possible to encourage more people to give up smoking to improve the public's health, as well as reducing the strain on our hospitals." - Kieran McCarthy MLA, Alliance Health spokesperson.

Council Tax

CONSERVATIVE "Conservatives said people who invest their life savings in a second home could be penalised." Source: BBC, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-26875875

GREEN PARTY The Green Party have announced, "Disincentives to the speculative ownership of housing will be introduced, including higher rates of Council Tax for unoccupied properties and second homes." Source: Green Party.

LABOUR The shadow chancellor said owners of homes worth "tens of millions" and second home owners would pay much higher rates of the "progressive" [mansion] tax. Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29691283

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT "The Coalition has already granted councils the power to charge the full rate of council tax on holiday homes, and the Liberal Democrats will “constantly look” at how they can go further, Mr Clegg told his monthly press conference." Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/nick-clegg/10903597/Holiday-home-owners-gutting-and-filleting-villages-Nick-Clegg-says.html

PLAID CYMRU "Higher council tax charges for those with second homes to offset the housing shortage." Source: Plaid Cymru, http://www.partyof.wales/easy-read-manifesto/

First Time Buyers

CONSERVATIVE Our new Starter Homes initiative will give 100,000 first-time buyers under the age of 40 the opportunity to buy a new home at a 20% discount. Source: Conservative party website.

PLAID CYMRU "The next Plaid Cymru government would introduce several schemes designed to help young people in Wales get onto the housing ladder." Source: Plaid Cymru.

DUP The DUP would "Assist first time buyers including through a graduate home loan scheme for those with degrees in subjects crucial to improving our economy such as STEM, finance and business." Source: DUP

PLAID CYMRU "The next Plaid Cymru government would introduce several schemes designed to help young people in Wales get onto the housing ladder." Source: Plaid Cymru.

Garden Cities

LABOUR We will deliver a new generation of New Towns and Garden Cities, and give a new "right to grow" to communities who want to expand but are blocked by neighbouring local authorities. Source: Labour Party.

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT "[...] up to five new garden cities in Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire." Source: BBC Manifesto Watch, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29642613

Housing Developments

PLAID CYMRU Plaid Cymru would change planning laws to ensure that local people benefited from housing developments, and that young people were no longer forced to move away from their communities due to second home owners pushing up prices and lack of high wage employment in many parts of Wales. Source: Plaid Cymru

Mansion Tax

ALLIANCE PARTY We believe that all people should pay their fair share of the district (and regional) rate by removing the cap that stops the owners of the wealthiest properties from paying the same percentage rate as everyone else.

GREEN PARTY Green Party leader Natalie Bennett has confirmed that her party is campaigning for a 1% 'wealth tax' on the "property, pension pots and other assets such as 'holdings in cash or Ferraris' of individuals worth more than £3m." Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-31600324

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT Liberal Democrats would introduce a banded High Value Property Levy (the “Mansion Tax”) on residential properties across the UK worth over £2 million. Source: Liberal Democrat pre-2015 Manifesto

PLAID CYMRU Elfyn Llwyd, Plaid Cymru's parliamentary leader has voted tentatively in favour of the tax on properties worth in excess of £2m, saying, "We are minded to support wealth taxes, and we therefore welcome the motion, but it is a bit thin on detail. "

SNP Scottish ministers will be introducing a 'land and buildings transaction tax' in April 2015, which will see a progressive scale of rates. Homes worth in excess of £1m will pay £78,300 in tax, with homes valued at less than £135,000 being exempt from the tax.

UKIP UKIP are opposed to the idea of a Mansion Tax, calling it an attack on aspiration.

Right to Buy Scheme

CONSERVATIVE At the 2011 Conservative Party Conference, David Cameron proposed to increase Right to Buy discounts in order to revitalise the housing market and generate receipts which could be spent on new housing. Social housing professionals have expressed concerns over the proposal. Source: Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_to_Buy

GREEN PARTY The Green Party want to end the 'right to buy' scheme, and replace it with a 'right to rent' system. The party believe that people who are struggling to pay their mortgage should be able to rent their home as council housing. This in turn would raise £2bn each year for local authorities to enable them to support the scheme. Source: Green Party Manifesto

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT "... the Lib Dem delegates backed a call to allow local authorities to choose not to sell off council housing under the right-to-buy scheme. The Lib Dem conference was told the policy had contributed towards a shortage of social housing." Source: BBC, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29507216

SNP In July 2013, the Scottish Government confirmed that Right to Buy would be abolished in Scotland from 2017. Source: Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_to_Buy

UKIP "The party would also bring 700,000 empty properties back into use as affordable housing, and revitalise the Right to Buy scheme." Source: http://www.propertyindustryeye.com/ukip-unveils-housing-policies-pledges-never-build-green-belt/

Social Housing

Spare Room Subsidy

CONSERVATIVE As part of a host of benefit changes introduced on 1 April 2013 under the Welfare Reform Act 2012, the Conservative government removed what it called the spare room subsidy. Under the changes, tenants in social housing have their benefit reduced by 14% if they have a spare bedroom or 25% if they have two or more. Source: The Guardian, http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/jul/17/bedroom-tax-housing-benefit-reform-explained

DUP "We don't believe the bedroom tax being imposed on existing tenants is fair or reasonable and we think it's caused undue hardship, so we would like to see that abolished right across the board," he explained." - Nigel Dodds, DUP. Source: http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/general-election-2015-dup-can-do-business-ed-miliband-after-vote-1487347

GREEN PARTY "As well as being nasty, this policy has simply not worked. For example in Brighton and Hove, 88% of those affected haven’t moved - and many for very good reason. Of the 1,174 households affected, 400 are now in arrears. Of that 400, 237 have someone with a disability. Many of those not in arrears are relying on food-banks and/or resorting to payday loans and doorstep credit." Source: Caroline Lucas, http://www.carolinelucas.com/latest/the-bedroom-tax-callous-nasty-and-counter-productive

LABOUR Labour would "scrap the bedroom tax". Source: Labour Party Manifesto, http://b.3cdn.net/labouruk/89012f856521e93a4d_phm6bflfq.pdf

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT We will reform the policy to remove the spare room subsidy. The subsidy will continue to be removed for new tenants in social housing but existing social tenants will not be subject to any housing benefit deduction until they have received a reasonable offer of alternative social rented accommodation with the correct number of bedrooms. Source: Liberal Democrat party.

PLAID CYMRU "Plaid Cymru has always opposed this regressive and cruel tax. The bedroom tax has led to an increase in rent arrears, evictions and repossessions in Wales, and created untold misery to families who face losing their home as a result of it. Indeed it will not even save money, with Community Housing Cymru estimating the cost of re-adapting smaller homes for use by disabled people as £15m alone." Plaid Cymru Housing Spokeswoman Jocelyn Davies, http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/ams-vote-today-new-call-7080213

RESPECT PARTY "The Lib Dems are complete hypocrites. Earlier this year they were pledging to scrap the tax, now they have saved it with their votes. If they had voted alongside me and Labour, if they had even abstained, then we’d be on the way to scrapping this hated tax. Shame on them. Shame on David Ward. His constituents will, I’m sure, be visiting that shame on him with their votes in just a few months time." - Respect Party Leader George Galloway.

SNP "Scottish National Party (SNP) had pledged to abolish the bedroom tax within a year of independence if it is achieved by the referendum later this year [after the Scottish Independence Vote]." Source: Independent, http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/scottish-government-given-power-to-end-bedroom-tax-9320374.html

UKIP "UKIP opposes the bedroom tax because it operates unfairly, penalising those who are unable to find alternative accommodation and taking insufficient account of the needs of families and the disabled." Source: UKIP, http://www.ukip.org/policies_for_people

Travellers

GREEN PARTY A duty will be placed on local authorities to provide suitable sites for travellers. Source: Green Party policy.

Border Controls and Exit Checks

CONSERVATIVE "We have also brought back vital exit checks at ports and airports. And by April, those checks will be in force at all our major ports and airports. So we will be able not only to count people in, but to count them out again." Source: David Cameron Speech on Immigration, http://press.conservatives.com/post/103802921280/david-cameron-speech-on-immigration

DUP The DUP want "proper border controls and a tougher immigration policy". Source: 2015 DUP manifesto, http://dev.mydup.com/images/uploads/publications/DUP_NI_Plan_v_7.pdf

GREEN PARTY "The Green Party would progressively reduce controls on UK immigration", and "... aim to ensure that UK immigration control takes place primarily at ports of entry so that no resident is required to carry proof of residence." Source: Green Party Website.

LABOUR Labour want to introduce stronger border controls to tackle immigration with 'proper' entry and exit checks. Source: Labour Party. The party have promised to "control immigration fairly", including a proposal to stop the practice of hiring cheaper foreign workers in favour of British employees. They would also recruit an extra 1,000 border staff.

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT The Liberal Democrats would seek to reintroduce exit checks at UK borders so that they can identify people who may be overstaying their visa. Source: Liberal Democrat party website, http://www.libdems.org.uk/immigration

SNP The SNP would allow a devolved government to have complete control over immigration into Scotland, and to introduce a system similar to Canada to attract highly-skilled immigrants. Source: SNP Policy.

UKIP "Priority lanes would be introduced at borders for holders of UK passports. UK border staff would be increased by 2,500." Source: UKIP Website.

Deportation of Illegal Immigrants

GREEN PARTY Immigrants who have lived illegally in the UK for more than five years will be allowed to stay in the country unless they "pose a serious danger to public safety". Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/general-election-2015/11451936/General-Election-2015-Immigration-policy.html

UKIP UKIP will not offer an amnesty for illegal immigrants or those gaining British passports through fraud. Source: UKIP

ID Cards

CONSERVATIVE "Cameron has spoken out against mandatory identity cards on a number of occasions, saying that they will not reduce crime and illegal immigration, will be a waste of money and are a violation of human rights". Source: Wikipedia,

DUP Plans to introduce ID cards should be scrapped. They are too expensive and will not tackle terrorism or illegal immigration. Source: 2010 DUP Manifesto.

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT "Extended personal freedom by scrapping ID cards." Source: Liberal Democrat pre-manifesto 2015.

Immigrant Benefits

CONSERVATIVE The Conservative Party would ensure that migrants would have to wait four years before they can claim certain benefits including tax credits, Universal Credit and social housing.

DUP The DUP 2015 manifesto states that economic migrants must have contributed to the UK before they are entitled to claim benefits. Source: DUP 2015 Manifesto, http://dev.mydup.com/images/uploads/publications/DUP_NI_Plan_v_7.pdf

LABOUR Labour say that people coming here won't be able to claim benefits for at least two years. Source: Labour Party

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT The Liberal Democrats have proposed a restriction on the payment of Universal Credit to immigrants for a six month period only, and would only be issued after their first six months in the UK. Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/general-election-2015/11451936/General-Election-2015-Immigration-policy.html (Please note that this policy is awarded a lesser score for our quiz because it is not a full match against the question.)

UKIP "Migrants will only be eligible for benefits (in work or out of work) when they have been paying tax and NI for five years and will only be eligible for permanent residence after ten years." Source: UKIP Website, http://www.ukip.org/policies_for_people

Immigrant Work Status

GREEN PARTY "People who come to Britain, seeking to follow on our proud tradition of providing asylum, should be allowed to work if they can, should be given decent benefits equivalent to those of everyone else, and decent housing." - Green Party Leader Natalie Bennett. Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/general-election-2015/11451936/General-Election-2015-Immigration-policy.html

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT "Liberal Democrat peers, led by Roger Roberts, tried to amend it [the Immigration Bill] by inserting a clause which would have entitled asylum seekers to work after 6 months." Source: Lib Dem Voice, http://www.libdemvoice.org/liberal-democrat-peers-support-asylum-seekers-right-to-work-39068.html

PLAID CYMRU Plaid Cymru supports the right of asylum seekers to work in Wales while they wait for status decisions to be made and we call for the speeding up of the unnecessarily complicated asylum system.

Immigration Controls

ALLIANCE PARTY There is a need for formal exit controls to capture numbers leaving in order to complement information on those who have arrived. Source: Alliance Party.

CONSERVATIVE A continued goal of bringing net immigration down to less than 100,000 people per year. (Currently at 243,000). Source: Conservative Party

DUP The DUP supports measures to limit the number of people from overseas permitted to settle in the United Kingdom each year, and would "Oppose further harmonisation of rules relating to immigration, asylum and visas across the EU." Source: DUP Policies and 2014 Manifesto.

GREEN PARTY The Green Party would progressively reduce controls on UK immigration. Source: Green Party

LABOUR Stronger border controls: we will make it easier to deport foreign criminals, check people in and out of the country, and do more to stop illegal immigration. Source: Labour Party

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT Restore full entry and exit checks at our borders, to rebuild confidence in immigration control, and allow targeting of resources at those who over-stay their visas. Source: Liberal Democrat party.

RESPECT PARTY "We wholeheartedly welcome all EU migrants who seek to work hard in Britain, just as many British people work abroad." Source: Respect Party website.

UKIP The party would aim to bring net migration down to 50,000 people per year.

Immigration Numbers

CONSERVATIVE Conservatives have ruled out a temporary cap or 'emergency brake' on migrant numbers on EU freedom of movement rules, claiming they would be less effective than reducing incentives for people to come to the UK. On 26th February Immigration Minister James Brokenshire "said for some time that our target of reducing net migration... would not be met because of the pressures from the EU.". Source: BBC News.

GREEN PARTY "Greens: Progressively reduce UK immigration controls." Source: BBC Manifesto Watch, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29642613

LABOUR Labour's Yvette Cooper has said that the Conservatives were wrong focusing on net migration, and should have taken extra steps to strengthen border controls to tackle illegal immigration. Source: BBC News http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-31638174 "The net migration target is a meaningless one, Labour's David Hanson tells Daily Politics. The shadow immigration minister is pressed over whether Labour has a target number. Mr Hanson refuses to do so, saying he is interested in the long term interests of the British economy. He does say he would take students out of the immigration figures - "about 80,000 a year". Source: BBC News http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-politics-31631977

UKIP UKIP migration spokesman Steven Woolfe told the Daily Politics show on 26th February 2015 that the party would introduce a cap on gross migration into the UK of "50,000 for those who have the right to work with the option for permanent residence", which would "take out 167,000 of these figures [currently 298,000 migrants] each year". However, on the 4th March the party leader Nigel Farage said that they would not set a yearly target, with 20,000-50,000 migrants being given work permits.

Immigration System

RESPECT PARTY Respect is in favour of a colour-blind points-based immigration system which is weighted in favour of those coming from Commonwealth countries to which we owe a historic debt. Source: Respect website.

UKIP UKIP would give a preference towards those who settle in the UK will be given to Commonwealth nationals. Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/general-election-2015/11451936/General-Election-2015-Immigration-policy.html

Job Seekers Allowance

LABOUR "Labour will commit to 'reforms to ensure those who come here speak English and earn the right to any benefit entitlements'. Source: http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/oct/11/ed-miliband-toughen-benefit-rules-for-migrants

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT The Liberal Democrats would require all new claimants for the Jobseekers Allowance to be assessed on their English language proficiency, and if necessary the allowance would only be paid if the claimant attended language courses or lessons.

UKIP Those coming to work in the UK must have a job to go to, must speak English, must have accommodation agreed prior to their arrival, and must have NHS-approved health insurance. Source: UKIP website.

Points Based Immigration System

ALLIANCE PARTY Alliance supports a points-based system, linked to skills, as the least worst of all the alternatives for regulating legal immigration. We are opposed to an arbitrary cap that has been proposed by some, such as the Conservative and Unionists. Source: Alliance Party

PLAID CYMRU Plaid Cymru oppose a points-based system. Source: BBC Politics. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29642613

SNP Scotland needs an immigration policy which suits our economic needs, and keeps up with the likes of Canada, Australia, Germany and New Zealand who all have explicit strategies to bring in talent to the benefit of their economies. - SNP home affairs spokesperson Pete Wishard MP.

UKIP UKIP propose the introduction of an Australian-style points system that would assess migrants according to their skills needed for the economy. This would include both immigrants from inside and outside the European Union.. Source: UKIP Policies.

20mph Speed Limits

ALLIANCE PARTY "Its time we looked at more new and radical ways to tackling this blight on society. I believe that Northern Ireland should pilot a 20mph speed limit to see whether this can reduce injuries and fatalities. Reducing speed limits in known accident hotspots is a positive measure that would I believe help increase road safety. A 20 mph speed limit has already been piloted outside some schools and this initiative should be tested in other areas." - Alliance Party Councillor Stewart Dickson, http://allianceparty.org/article/2009/0004590/time-for-20mph-limits-for-accident-hotspots

CONSERVATIVE "It was the Conservative Government, in the early 1990s, that first introduced trial schemes of 20 mph limits. The system at first was rather cumbersome, with Government approval required in every case to change the speed limit, and high costs due to extra signage requirements and traffic calming measures." Source: Parliament

GREEN PARTY The Green Party would reduce speed limits to 20mph in built-up areas, including villages. On motorways and trunk roads they propose reducing the speed limit to 55mph and 40mph on rural roads. The party believe that this will make our roads safer for all users. Source: Green Party Manifesto

LABOUR Labour shadow transport secretary Mary Creagh has said that a 20mph limit across all urban areas will make roads "much nice for everyone", proposing a new enforcement in villages, towns and cities across the UK. Creagh said, "20 mile an hour zones, what do they do? They immediately cut deaths on the road, so some of the central london, City of London has done it Islington has done it deaths down from 110 a year to about 77 a year. 40 fewer dead people in one tiny London borough as a result of that change. that is a massive gain, if we can replicate that cross the country, that is a massive gain." Source: Telegraph, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/11113207/Extend-20-mph-limit-across-all-urban-areas-to-allow-children-to-roam-wild-Labour-shadow-transport-secretary-says.html

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT 7 March 2015 - Liberal Democrats have proposed plans in their Green Transport Act to cut the speed limit on some roads to 10mph in order to reduce noise and air pollution. Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa/article-2984271/Lib-Dems-ponder-10mph-speed-limit.html

PLAID CYMRU Plaid Cymru supports increasing the number of 20mph zones, especially around schools, but in whichever neighbourhoods where there is local demand.

Air Passenger Duty

ALLIANCE PARTY "APD was identified as a significant cost burden on local business. Though introduced as an environmental tax, it has risen steeply and is no longer linked in any meaningful way to climate change. The lack of through carriers in Northern Ireland also means that passengers starting a journey in Northern Ireland will often have to pay short-haul APD on the leg to a UK hub and then a further APD on the international leg of their journey, which disadvantages the public here. Whilst I welcome the reduction and devolution of long-haul APD on direct long-haul flights, saving our one direct flight to the US, it affects about 2 per cent of passengers. Studies by Oxford Economics and PWC have indicated that revenue to Government through increased economic growth could actually increase if APD were abolished and so I renewed my call that the Government should do their own cost-benefit analysis in light of the evidence presented." Alliance Party MP Naomi Long.

CONSERVATIVE Air passenger duty (APD) for children under the age of 12 on economy travel will be abolished from May 2015, Chancellor George Osborne has said in his Autumn Statement.

DUP The DUP would "Seek to reduce crippling Air Passenger Duty rates introduced by the UK Government which risk diverting business away from the Province to the Irish Republic and placing long-haul routes such as Belfast-New York under threat". Source: DUP.

LABOUR I would like to ask the Chancellor about the Air Passenger Duty proposal. We will support what he has proposed .... Source: Ed Balls response to Autumn statement http://press.labour.org.uk/post/104247806064/ed-balls-response-to-the-autumn-statement

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT The Liberal Democrats have suggested replacing air passenger duty with a per plane aviation duty. This would be charged on both passenger and freight planes and on flights to all destinations. The per plane tax would take into account emissions of nitrous oxide on take-off and landing (apparently well correlated with the per mile emissions of the plane), maximum take-off weight (MTOW) and distance travelled. The Conservatives have also proposed a reform of air passenger duty “to encourage a switch to fuller and cleaner planes”, but so far their proposal remains unspecific. Under Liberal Democrat plans, there would be a supplementary tax on domestic flights in the UK in order to encourage rail travel. The cost per mile of the tax would be higher for domestic flights travelling less than 300 miles (excluding “lifeline flights”, which we interpret to be flights to Scottish Islands, and flights between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK). They aim for these two taxes to raise £3.3 billion if implemented in 2010–11. The tax would be adjusted to meet this revenue target. To avoid aeroplanes touching down in a country close by and then taking off to a further, final destination they would charge the duty to the final destination. Source: http://www.parliament.uk/briefing-papers/sn05094.pd

SNP Reduction in Air Passenger Duty by 50 per cent, with a view to abolishing it when public finances allow source: https://www.snp.org/sites/default/files/document/file/scotlands_future.pdf

UKIP "Once introduced, scrap Air Passenger Duty (APD)." Source: UKIP 2010 Transport Manifesto

Company Car Tax

CONSERVATIVE "The BVRLA has been in contact Conservative central office and can confirm that the party has no plans to change the current company car tax regime." Source: BVRLA, http://www.bvrla.co.uk/news/press-release/conservatives-and-company-car-tax

GREEN PARTY The culture of company car provision and use will be challenged in all ways possible, including financial measures, to achieve a transfer of workplace travel to more sustainable modes. Source: http://policy.greenparty.org.uk/tr.html

RESPECT PARTY Respect Party would introduce "Hefty taxes on company cars and on company parking spaces". Source: Respect Party website.

Congestion Charge

ALLIANCE PARTY Encourage a wider debate on 'congestion charges' and other forms of road pricing. Such initiatives would be consistent with the 'polluter pays' principle. However, motorists should not be so penalised until a proper public transport infrastructure has been put in place. Source: Alliance Party http://allianceparty.org/page/policy-summary-regionaldev

CONSERVATIVE The Conservatives would consider tolls on new roads built by the private sector

GREEN PARTY The party would first prioritise public transport services, and propose (if necessary) working towards introducing a similar system to London's Congestion Charge to other cities in the UK where appropriate. Source: Green Party Manifesto

LABOUR The Labour Party have previously ruled out the introduction of 'National Road Pricing' if they had won the general election in 2010. However, it is not known whether the party currently supports the extension of Congestion Charging into other UK cities.

Cycle Routes

ALLIANCE PARTY We will especially promote safe cycle routes and storage and suitable pavements and road crossings to encourage walking. We will support Councils adopting sustainable travel plans that make it easier for cyclists and walkers to get about town and will include advance planning about new bus routes. Source: Alliance Party

CONSERVATIVE "So we are rebuilding Britain. In rail track and power lines. In concrete and steel. In good roads and safe cycle routes. In tram networks and better buses. A plan of action that is making the difference. A plan of action that is laying fast routes to the future." - Patrick McLoughlin, Secretary of State for Transport, Conservative Party.

GREEN PARTY A national network of longer distance cycle routes will be encouraged, within which local networks will be connected. Where cycle routes are provided which give some form of segregation from other road users, the cycle route will be given priority at junctions over motorised traffic. Alterations to national rules, including the Highway Code, and education of other road users to understand this, will be needed to allow this to happen in a safe manner. Source: Green Party http://policy.greenparty.org.uk/tr.html

LABOUR "We must end the stop-start approach to supporting cycling. And that means long-term funding of the infrastructure needed for dedicated separate safe cycling routes. We need to ensure we do not repeat the mistakes of the past mistakes: so I have proposed a new Cycle Safety Assessment before the green light is given to new transport schemes. We need to see national targets to cut deaths and serious injuries restored. However, in future, these should sit alongside a new target to increase the levels of cycling. We need to make it easier for cycling to become part of the journey to work, even where the commute is too far to do by bike alone." Source: Maria Eagle, Shadow Transport Secretary. http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/cyclesafety/article3858999.ece

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT The Lib Dems would "Make progress towards implementing the recommendations of the 'Get Britain Cycling' report", citing plans to create a cycling budget of at least £10 per person per year. They would also lay out obligations for local authorities to provide provisions for cyclists when building new roads.

PLAID CYMRU The Welsh Government’s forthcoming Active Travel legislation- which Plaid Cymru supports- will oblige councils to provide adequate walking and cycling routes as a requirement. Counties will need to map out what exists for walking and cycling and identify any gaps. A specific capital grant scheme is needed for walking and cycling routes in line with the require-ments of the Active Travel Bill. Source: http://www.councillor.plaidcymru.org/uploads/Cylchllythyr_Cyngor/cyngor_Feb_2013.pdf Plaid Cymru also supports providing alternatives to the car. Walking and cycling, particularly in urban centers, needs to be protected in legislation, and the right infrastructure provided in terms of routes, signage, and information.

RESPECT PARTY A full programme of cycle routes in our towns and cities.

SNP The Scottish National Party would strive for "A cheap and integrated transport system to provide an alternative to car use, making the current road-building programme unnecessary." Source: SNP Website.

UKIP UKIP believes off road dedicated lanes are preferable to a confusing maze of cycle lanes on unsuitable or dangerous roads, which is problematic for cyclists as well as other road users. Source: UKIP Transport Policy 2010.

HS2 High Speed Rail

GREEN PARTY HS2 (High Speed 2) rail network would be scrapped. HS2 does too much damage to local communities and to the environment, and is too pricey. To achieve high speeds the trains are expected to use up to 50% more fuel than Eurostar so carbon emissions will not be reduced. The enormous sums involved could be better spent improving transport for everybody, not just the wealthy business-people who will be able to afford to use HS2. Source: Green Party website.

LABOUR "Labour is backing this new line which will cut congestion on the railways, better connect our major cities and help deliver a one-nation economic recovery. HS2 will improve connections between the North and South and between northern cities. The latest high-speed rail technology will cut journey times between Britain's cities and support jobs and growth in the Midlands and North. HS2 can be a key element in Ed Miliband's Agenda 2030 plan to create an economic recovery that reaches every nation, region and sector." Mary Creagh, Shadow Secretary of State for International Development.

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT Liberal Democrats would continue High Speed Rail (HS2) as 'the first stage of a high-speed rail network to Scotland', and Crossrail 2, electrify main lines and re-open local stations to enable more people to travel by train. Source: Liberal Democrat pre-2015 Manifesto

PLAID CYMRU Plaid Cymru has said that they "will continue to campaign on the issue of 'Barnettising' HS2 and in favour of spreading rail investment across the state".

SNP we need the HS2 project extended north of the border Gordon MacDonald, member of the Scottish Parliament’s Infrastructure and Investment Committee 2013

UKIP Commenting on the HS2 scheme, UKIP have said, "The human cost of Mr Cameron’s absurd white elephant scheme can be measured in terms of unsaleable homes, blighted businesses and communities, devastated farms, retirement plans turned upside down, ill health and worse." Source: http://www.ukip.org/get_set_for_another_round_of_tory_betrayal_over_hs2

Re-nationalisation of Railways

GREEN PARTY "The Green Party is the only political party fully committed to the renationalisation of the railways. In the House of Commons, Green MP Caroline Lucas has a Private Members’ Bill aimed at achieving renationalisation" source: http://greenparty.org.uk/news/2014/01/02/dr-rupert-read-we-need-to-renationalise-the-railways-for-the-common-good/

LABOUR Labour have unveiled a "promise to change the law to allow for the party renationalisation of the rail network", allowing both private firms and public, not-for-profit firms to be able to run train services across the railway network. Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-28349630

PLAID CYMRU "We reiterate our call for the railway system to be brought back into public ownership. While we will pursue this objective, we will also pursue other socially useful options such as not-for-dividend or co-operative rail services, and greater devolution of rail infrastructure powers and responsibilities to Wales." Source: Plaid Cymru

RESPECT PARTY Bring the railways back into public ownership, under democratic control, and integrate the railways, bus services and urban light rail.

Toll Roads

CONSERVATIVE In the 2015 budget held a matter of weeks before the general election, Chancellor George Osborne said that tolls had "long been a stumbling block for the Welsh economy". However, their stance on tolls nationwide are unknown, so this is not given a full 'score' in our quiz. Source: BBC News

GREEN PARTY In the short term, road charging should be introduced where road space is most congested and where traffic causes most pollution. These would be expected to be in urban areas and in areas that attract large numbers of tourists.

PLAID CYMRU Our proposal on the Severn Tolls is for ownership to transfer to the Welsh Government, and a reduction in tolls to cover maintenance levels only.

UKIP UKIP opposes tolls on public roads and will let existing contracts for running toll roads expire. UKIP would "Scrap the poorly planned HS2 project, saving up to £50bn" Source: http://www.ukip.org/100_days_till_the_election_100_reasons_to_vote_ukip

Transport Infrastructure Investment

ALLIANCE PARTY Alliance will re-balance funding away from roads and into more sustainable forms of public transport so that all transport choices remain viable. Source: http://allianceparty.org/page/transport

CONSERVATIVE We're committed to the biggest investment in roads for a generation. Our new £15 billion Road Investment Strategy will increase the capacity and condition of our roads to keep the economy growing and help people get around and get on. We're investing £15 billion in over 100 improvements to our major roads, including hundreds of extra lane miles on our motorways and upgrades to some of our most important arteries. Source: Conservative Party.

DUP Invest in our roads and transport network,water and waste water, schools and youth services, health and social care as well as social and affordable housing.

GREEN PARTY "Green priorities would be for the road plans to be scrapped and the commitment to rail to be stronger, firmer, and clearer." - Source: Green Party, https://www.greenparty.org.uk/news/2015/03/20/transport-plans-for-northern-england-green-party-response/

LABOUR Tackling road congestion is a key Labour priority. We will extend hard-shoulder running on motorways, alongside targeted motorway widening including on the M25. We will press ahead with a major investment programme in existing rail services, hugely improving commuter services into and through London, and electrifying new rail-lines including the Great Western Main Line from London to South Wales.

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT Invest in major transport improvements and infrastructure to create a 'Northern Economic Corridor'; a focus for growth, innovation and prosperity across northern England. Develop a comprehensive plan to electrify all suburban and major rail routes, reopen many smaller stations, restore twin track lines to major routes and proceed with HS2, as the first stage of a high-speed rail network to Scotland.

PLAID CYMRU "We will provide better roads, railways, airports, bridges and ports." Source: Plaid Cymru, http://www.partyof.wales/easy-read-manifesto/

RESPECT PARTY Invest in a cheap and integrated transport system to reduce the need to use cars, making the current road-building programme unnecessary.

SNP A cheap and integrated transport system to provide an alternative to car use, making the current road-building programme unnecessary.

UKIP UKIP will scrap the HS2 project which is uneconomical and unjustified

Vehicle Emissions

GREEN PARTY The Green Party would increase road fuel tax incrementally until the revenue of fuel tax covers a high proportion of road traffic's external costs, with adjustments for transport use and the nature of the fuel. The Green Party will introduce a vehicle purchase tax on the purchase of all new vehicles, which would be steeply graded according to a vehicle's pollution level, fuel consumption and type of fuel. Maximum permissible lorry weights to 38 tonnes and adopt increasing taxation on vehicles of more than 20 tonnes. Lorry movements on Sundays should be prohibited throughout the EU as a first step to cutting long distance road freight.

LABOUR We rule out the introduction of national road pricing in the next Parliament [2010-2015].

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT Support ambitious EU vehicle emission standards and encourage the market for electric vehicles. We will set a target of 2040 for the date after which only ultra-low-carbon vehicles will be permitted on UK roads for non-freight purposes.

40p Income Tax Rate

GREEN PARTY Income Tax will be levied on all income above the Citizen's Income. Tax rates will be banded and will increase progressively so that those on higher incomes are paying higher marginal rates of tax. In particular, rates higher than 40% will be introduced for those on the highest incomes. Source: Green Party, http://policy.greenparty.org.uk/ec.html

UKIP "Introducing a 35p income tax rate between £42,285 and £55,000 – taking many public sector workers out of higher rate of tax". Source: http://www.ukip.org/100_days_till_the_election_100_reasons_to_vote_ukip

Flexible Working Hours

ALLIANCE PARTY Alliance Party will work to "Reform parental leave and flexible working legislation, and develop a Gender Action Plan" Source: Alliance Party Website, http://allianceparty.org/page/employment-and-learning

LABOUR "Labour will support flexible working for parents and carers and will consider how best to support grandparents who need to fit the care of their grandchildren around their working hours." Source: http://whalleyrangelabour.org.uk/labours-pledges-for-2015-election/

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT Liberal Democrats would encourage employers to provide more flexible working, particularly for parents and carers, expanding shared parental leave with a 'use-it-or-lose-it' month for fathers to encourage them to take time off with young children. Source: Liberal Democrats

Living Wage

ALLIANCE PARTY The Alliance Party would campaign for a standard minimum wage for workers aged 16 or more. Source: Alliance Party Westminster Manifesto

CONSERVATIVE David Cameron at PMQ's, 4th March 2015: "First of all I support the living wage, and I think those employers who can pay it should pay it. What we do to help all people in this situation is to ensure the minimum wage is properly enforced, to see it increased over time and to lift people out of tax [...]" Source: PMQ's http://www.whoshallivotefor.com/resources/pmqs/04-march-2015

DUP "It emerged late last night that the DUP had filed a POC [petition of concert] against Mr Agnew’s amendment to the Education Bill seeking to introduce a living wage and pay-scale ratio for all employees of the new education authority in Northern Ireland." Source: http://stevenagnew.net/green-party-angered-as-dup-block-living-wage-amendment-with-petition-of-concern/

GREEN PARTY The Green Party has called for the statutory minimum wage to be immediately lifted to Living Wage levels and for a £10 per hour minimum wage for all by 2020. Source: http://greenparty.org.uk/news/2014/09/05/the-green-party-calls-for-a-%C2%A310-minimum-wage-for-all/

LABOUR Mr Miliband is expected to say he wants to create what he calls "more inclusive prosperity". And he is is set to say paying the living wage and banning zero-hours contracts will raise productivity. Source: BBC, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-31483886

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT The Liberal Democrat party would 'Establish an independent review to consult on how to set a fair Living Wage, working with stakeholders such as the Living Wage Foundation. We will ensure this Living Wage is paid by all central government departments and executive agencies from April 2016 onwards, and encourage other public sector bodies including local authorities to do likewise.' Source: Liberal Democrat pre-2015 Manifesto

PLAID CYMRU Plaid calls for stringent implementation of labour laws for all workers, including enforcement of a living wage to address the injustice of poor pay and unfair working conditions. Source: http://www.partyof.wales/our-vision-for-the-economy/

RESPECT PARTY Respect 'supports a policy of progressive taxation, not least because providing economic relief for those in most need of it will benefit our economy in the long run. Our workers need the basic dignity of a living wage; not just the minimum but something which assures the basic living requirements of everyone in the country'. Source: http://www.respectparty.org/national/national-living-wage/

SNP "As Scotland’s party of social democracy, we have already demonstrated that where we have the power, we act to make a difference – we are the first Scottish Government ever to pay the living wage to all employees covered by our pay policy." First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Minimum Wage

ALLIANCE PARTY Alliance will support the introduction of a standard minimum wage from the age of 16. This reflects our commitment to fairness and non-discrimination. Source: Alliance Party.

Worker Recruitment

GREEN PARTY CVs should be anonymised during the hiring procedure to prevent pre-interview discrimination on the basis of an individual's race or gender. Source: Green Party

Working Time Directive

CONSERVATIVE "Deal with the damaging effects of the Working Time Directive, in particular on our public services." Source: Conservative Euro Manifesto, 2014 https://www.conservatives.com/europe/~/media/Files/Downloadable%20Files/MANIFESTO%202014/Euro%20Manifesto%20English.ashx

DUP "We will push for a review of the Working Time Directive". Source: DUP European Manifesto, http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/issues/politics/docs/dup/dup_2014-05-06_eu-lg-man.pdf

GREEN PARTY In the Green Party manifesto the party have stated that they would 'resist any weakening of the Working Time Directive'. Source: Green Party Manifesto

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT "[...] it's right that the UK stays opted out of rules that we believe are damaging - like the 48 hour cap on the working week in the Working Time Directive. It's important to point out that we're not ideological about this. Many of the workers' protections that we now take for granted actually originated in the EU. Guaranteeing paid holiday and regular breaks - they're also in the Working Time Directive. So there are good bits too; but we need to get the right balance." Nick Clegg speech, http://www.libdems.org.uk/nick_clegg_speech_on_a_richer_stronger_safer_greener_europe

PLAID CYMRU "We supported the Working Time Directive which protects people from having to work excessive hours." Jill Evans MEP, Plaid Cymru.

UKIP "UKIP will amend working time rules to give trainee doctors, surgeons and medics the proper environment to train and practise." Source: UKIP Website, Policies for People, http://www.ukip.org/policies_for_people

Young Unemployed

CONSERVATIVE The Conservatives would withdraw Jobseeker's Allowance from young people after six months unless they take part in 'community projects'. Source: BBC Manifesto Watch, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29642613

Young Workers

UKIP Businesses should be able to discriminate in favour of young British workers. Source: UKIP Website

Young Workers Skills

CONSERVATIVE Young people out of work, education or training for six months will have to do community work to get benefits if the Conservatives win the election. The scheme will involve about 30 hours a week of mandatory work, such as making meals for older people. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-31500763

LABOUR Shadow work and pensions secretary attacked Tory plans to introduce plans to force young unemployed people to undertake unpaid community work. Labour's shadow work and pensions secretary Rachel Reeve said that the Conservatives should copy Labour's plan to "guarantee young people who have been unemployed for a year a six month job, paid for by a bankers' bonus tax.". Source: BBC Politics, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-31500763

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT The Liberal Democrats reacted to Tory plans to introduce plans to force young unemployed people to undertake unpaid community work by saying, "Just like the Tory plans to axe housing benefit for young people, it's all stick and no carrot. Young people should be given help and support into the work place, help at job centres, and the opportunity to get on in life, not just written off as feckless and lazy. We must make sure young people leave school with the skills they need to succeed, which is why Liberal Democrats will protect education spending." Source: BBC News http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-31500763

SNP We will provide support for 125,000 modern apprenticeships over the lifetime of the Parliament and a commitment that every 16-19 year old in Scotland not in work, part of a Modern Apprenticeship scheme or receiving education is offered a learning or training opportunity. Source: Scottish National Party website

Zero Hours Contracts

ALLIANCE PARTY "Zero hour contracts may suit certain individuals, but it should not be used by businesses to the detriment of their staff." - Alliance Employment and Learning spokesperson, Chris Lyttle MLA. "Zero-hours contracts will not be banned in Northern Ireland, following a review of their use by Employment Minister Stephen Farry." - Source: BBC, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-31528731

CONSERVATIVE Conservatives will ban 'zero hours' contracts where they prevent workers taking jobs elsewhere. Source: https://www.conservatives.com/ShareTheFacts.aspx

DUP East Antrim DUP MLA Alastair Ross said that it is important employees are not discriminated against, but added that the flexibility zero hour contracts offer to small businesses in Northern Ireland is hugely important to the economy, and that we should gather a strong evidence base before coming to any conclusions on whether legislation would be desirable. Source: DUP http://www.mydup.com/news/article/ross-zero-hour-contracts-can-be-lifeline-to-small-businesses

GREEN PARTY Green Party has called on the Coalition Government to ban zero-hours contracts. "Zero-hours contracts should be banned, and I'd urge every shopper to consider the list of companies that use them, and consider whether they want to give their shopping cash to them." - Natalie Bennett, Green Party Leader. http://greenparty.org.uk/news/2013/07/31/green-party-leader-natalie-bennett-zero-hours-contracts-should-be-banned/

LABOUR We will abolish exploitative zero-hours contracts, with rules introduced to give new rights to employees on zero-hours contracts. Source: Labour Party

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT Vince Cable has today introduced a bill to ban exclusivity clauses in zero-hours contracts in order to give workers more choice. Zero-hours contracts do not just benefit employers, but employees too. Students, older people and single parents who value flexibility have the chance to turn down work at inconvenient times and top up their income when they need extra cash. With the ban on exclusivity clauses, employees will have more freedom to boost their income further. Source: Liberal Democrat Party http://www.libdems.org.uk/cracking_down_on_zero_hours_contract_abuse

PLAID CYMRU "More opposition to zero hours contracts and cuts in the public sector." Source: Plaid Cymru, http://www.partyof.wales/easy-read-manifesto/

SNP "Zero-hours contracts are not always appropriate and present many people on benefits with real challenges in managing their income. The UK government will be forcing people into uncertain employment and restricting the ability of claimants to seek training or more stable and sustainable employment. " Source: SNP, http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2014/may/jobseekers-forced-work-zero-hours-contracts

UKIP "UKIP will take action to prevent major employers using such contracts in an exploitative way against employees who lack other options. We will devise a code of conduct - with the threat of legislative action if it is not observed - that will give large employers a duty to offer a fixed hours contract to anyone who has worked on a zero hours contract for a year. Such employees will be under no compunction to accept a regular hours contract if it does not suit them, but must be offered the choice." Source: UKIP, http://www.ukip.org/ukip_employment_spokesman_jane_collins_today_heralded_an_array_of_new_party_policies_designed_to_help_working_people

Basic State Pension

ALLIANCE PARTY Alliance will work towards the eradication of pensioner poverty. We would support increasing the basic state pension, paid alongside other existing entitlements, to provide some financial stability for all.

CONSERVATIVE Our triple lock ensures the state pension rises every year in line with wages, prices or by 2.5% whichever is highest.

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT Legislate to make the triple lock permanent, guaranteeing decent pension rises every year

RESPECT PARTY An immediate rise in the basic state pension to £110 per week for all pensioners

Free Childcare

CONSERVATIVE As many as 1.9 million working families will get the chance to benefit from a childcare subsidy worth up to £2,000 per child under government plans. The online scheme, affecting children up to the age of 12, will come in from September next year (2015). David Cameron said "squeezed" families would benefit http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-26618139

GREEN PARTY There will be tax incentives for employers who provide support facilities at the workplace such as childcare, job-sharing, flexible working, counselling and family planning http://policy.greenparty.org.uk/wr.html

LABOUR We are radically reforming how Job Centre Plus helps lone parents: providing extra help with childcare, training and support to find family-friendly work, while requiring those with children aged three to take steps to prepare for work and actively to seek employment once their youngest child is seven years old.

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT Make work pay with policies such as raising the tax allowance, more free childcare and free school meals for all primary school children.

PLAID CYMRU Plaid Cymru, the Party of Wales believes that the lack of childcare is one of the biggest barriers to employment and we are determined to provide affordable and high-quality childcare for every family in Wales http://www.partyof.wales/our-vision-for-our-children/

SNP The SNP has today highlighted the progress 2015 will bring on the roll out of free childcare – with parents on track to save up to £2,000 per year by the end of the next Parliament. Since the SNP came to power, we have increased nursery entitlement by 45 per cent for 3 and 4 year olds – from 412.5 hours per week in 2007 to 600 hours in 2014. This has saved families up to £707 per child per year. In 2015, the roll out is set to continue – with a focus on providing childcare for the most deprived two year olds. http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/jul/10/cameron-miliband-cap-party-donations

Obesity

CONSERVATIVE “Too many people are stuck on sickness benefits because of issues that could be addressed but instead are not,” the Prime Minister said. “Some have drug or alcohol problems, but refuse treatment. In other cases people have problems with their weight that could be addressed, but instead a life on benefits rather than work becomes the choice. “It is not fair to ask hardworking taxpayers to fund the benefits of people who refuse to accept the support and treatment that could help them get back to a life of work. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/generalelection/obese-could-be-ordered-to-lose-weight-or-lose-benefits-if-conservatives-win-general-election-10046025.html

LABOUR Labour said the policy would do nothing to help people to get off benefits. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31464897

State Pension Age for Women

CONSERVATIVE "The state pension age for men is now due to rise from 65 to 66 from 2020, and to 68 by 2046. Women will move to a state pension age of 66 a few years after men." Source Conservative Pensions Reforms.

RESPECT PARTY "Reduction of the age for receipt of the state pension to sixty for men and women." Source: Respect Policy.

SNP "Women across Scotland have already seen their pension age increase by six years in the last decade alone, and we will establish a commission to look at the right state pension age suitable for Scotland’s circumstances." Source: SNP Media / Nicola Sturgeon, http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2014/aug/sturgeon-highlights-pensioners-personal-commitment

Under 21 Bus Pass

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT "A discount bus pass for under-21s so they can afford to travel to college or work." - Nick Clegg, Liberal Democrat pre-manifesto 2015.

Unemployment six months

CONSERVATIVE "Unemployed 18 to 21-year olds would be given six months to find work or training. Their jobseeker's allowance (JSA) payments would be withdrawn unless they agreed to take take part in "community projects" such as cleaning up local parks." Source: BBC Politics, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29398907

LABOUR "Young unemployed people who refuse to take training courses to gain key skills could lose benefits under a Labour government, Ed Miliband says. Under the plan 18-21 year olds will only get Jobseeker's Allowance if they already have the skills to get a job." Source: BBC Politics, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27911518

Universal Credit

ALLIANCE PARTY Alliance Social Development Spokesperson Judith Cochrane MLA welcomed the proposals for Universal Credit, stating that, "I wholeheartedly welcome the decision by the Secretary to facilitate an alternative to the planned monthly payment scheme, so that the lowest-paid receive their benefits fortnightly. Many workers are not used to receiving a monthly salary and they cannot be expected to know how to automatically budget this way. This decision allows those who want monthly payments to have them, but those who aren't ready for that step may be given fortnightly payments and extra support." Source: Alliance Party website, http://allianceparty.org/article/2012/006716/cochrane-welcomes-changes-to-benefit-claim-scheme

CONSERVATIVE Universal Credit is predominantly a Conservative policy. The party states that it wishes to introduce Universal Credit "so it always pays more to be in work than on benefits". Source: Conservatives website, https://www.conservatives.com/Plan/CapWelfareReduceImmigration.aspx "Iain Duncan Smith told the BBC the new benefit was £600m under budget and had been implemented gradually on advice." Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-31476172 Universal benefits for pensioners will also be protected if they win the general election in May, David Cameron announced on 23rd Feb: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31580520

DUP The DUP have raised concerns regarding technology costs and fines from Westminster, should Northern Ireland's policies for Universal Credit differ from that in England and Wales. Source: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/sinn-fein-and-dup-clash-on-welfare-30155466.html

GREEN PARTY The Party's Disability spokesman Jonathan Bartley said: "The Universal Credit scheme is an assault on society’s weakest, who are being forced to pay the biggest price for an economic crisis which is not of their making. For many people, welfare payments are the difference between sinking and swimming. In its current form this scheme will push many completely under." Source: Green Party Website, http://greenparty.org.uk/news/2012/10/17/immediate-action-needed-to-stop-assault-on-society%E2%80%99s-most-vulnerable/

LABOUR Labour has said that they will 'pause' the government's flagship welfare reform of Universal Credit, if they win the 2015 general election, said Rachel Reeves, Shadow Work & Pensions Secretary. The party have called it a 'failing programme' that would take years to implement. Source: BBC News http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27963650

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT The Liberal Democrats would complete the introduction of Universal Credit, in order to 'ensure that people are always better off in employment'.

PLAID CYMRU NO Universal Credit System without a thorough independent review. Source: Plaid Cymru, http://www.partyof.wales/easy-read-manifesto/

SNP Party leader Nicola Sturgeon wrote to the Prime Minister about Universal Credit, outlining several concerns. Her letter stated, "Universal Credit effectively abolishes housing benefit. It is not clear to me how we can have a meaningful discussion about devolving a welfare policy that is already in the process of being abolished. I have therefore written to the Prime Minister today asking that the roll-out of Universal Credit – which in any event is already significantly delayed and discredited – is halted in Scotland." Source: SNP website, http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2014/oct/roll-out-universal-credit-must-be-halted

UKIP It would seem that UKIP are in favour of Universal Credit, although some of the party's members have expressed doubt about the technical feasability rolling it out to the whole of the UK. Source: http://ukipdaily.com/universal-credit-answer/

Welfare Cap

CONSERVATIVE We've capped benefits so no out-of-work household can claim more than the average family earns by working. Housing benefit has been capped to stop unlimited pay-outs. And we've ensured that benefits don't rise faster than workers' wages.

GREEN PARTY Scrap the welfare cap to ensure that we can truly help the poorest and most vulnerable in our society. - See more at: http://greenparty.org.uk/values/fair-society.html#sthash.jC4oGK0r.dpuf

LABOUR Ed Miliband called for an overall cap on social security spending last year, so we will support the welfare cap in the House of Commons today Source: Ed Balls http://press.labour.org.uk/post/80724534338/labour-will-support-the-welfare-cap-in-the-house

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT Yes, we have had to make difficult decisions during this Parliament to reduce the rate of growth of benefits spending. But as we go forward with deficit reduction we are clear that it is time now for those with the broadest shoulders to bear the biggest burden. http://www.libdems.org.uk/steve_webb_s_speech_to_autumn_conference_2014

PLAID CYMRU Plaid Cymru is opposed to the welfare reform which links benefit payments to work and threatens benefit sanctions for those unable to meet unfair and unrealistic government demands. Plaid believes that this will simply result in a vicious cycle of people who live between in-work and out-of-work poverty.

RESPECT PARTY We call for ATOS to be scrapped and for a comprehensive welfare system to be provided for those who need it.

SNP The SNP voted against the welfare cap today because it piles yet more pain onto our poorest pensioners, carers, disabled people and low income families. This cap is just a crude, blunt, instrument. It is shocking that so many Scottish Labour MPs have backed the Tories, especially after the rhetoric at their conference in Perth http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2014/mar/welfare-cap-crude-blunt-instrument

UKIP UKIP supports a simplified, streamlined welfare system and a benefit cap. Source: UKIP, http://www.ukip.org/policies_for_people

Winter Fuel Payments

ALLIANCE PARTY Trevor Lunn MLA said: "I believe that we should be looking to reallocate the winter fuel payments from those who don't need it, to those elderly citizens who are struggling to pay their fuel bills http://allianceparty.org/article/2013/0007901/lunn-supports-reallocation-of-winter-fuel-payments-to-those-most-in-need

CONSERVATIVE The Prime Minister said there were not "huge savings" to be made from cutting universal benefits from better-off pensioners. He gave a strong hint that the Tory manifesto would renew the pledge the party made at the 2010 election to preserve winter fuel payments, free TV licences and bus travel for pensioners.

GREEN PARTY The Green Party has no policy on universal pensioner benefits, but calls for a big increase in the pension – to £200 a week – in the form of a Citizens Income, which would be much more than the additional pensioner benefits. http://brightonandhoveindependent.co.uk/will-lose-bus-pass-fuel-allowance-free-tv-licence-free-prescriptions/

LABOUR At a time when the public services that pensioners rely on are under such pressure, we will stop paying the winter fuel allowance to the richest five per cent of pensioners. Ed Balls (shadow chancellor) http://press.labour.org.uk/post/98137818419/speech-by-ed-balls-mp-to-labour-party-annual

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT The Liberal Democrats would withdraw eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment and free TV Licence from pensioners on the higher (40%) rate of income tax. Source: Liberal Democrat pre-2015 Manifesto

SNP Nicola Sturgeon, Depute Leader of the SNP said: “With the opportunity of independence we will ensure our pensioners continue to benefit from the Winter Fuel Allowance and that it keeps pace with the cost of living by increasing in line with inflation. “A huge part of the rising cost of living is the rising cost of energy bills. With independence we will take action to reduce energy bills by at least £70 per household and we will not means test the winter fuel allowance like the labour party are planning to

Work Capability Testing

CONSERVATIVE Control the welfare budget so we save money and reward work.

LABOUR More people with disabilities and health conditions will be helped to move into work from Incapacity Benefit and Employment Support Allowance, as we extend the use of our tough-but-fair work capability test

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT Introduction of a single assessment process across different disability benefits, based on real world tests of capability and functionality, http://www.libdems.org.uk/f11_reforming_the_welfare_system

PLAID CYMRU Plaid Cymru is opposed to the welfare reform which links benefit payments to work and threatens benefit sanctions for those unable to meet unfair and unrealistic government demands. Plaid believes that this will simply result in a vicious cycle of people who live between in-work and out-of-work poverty.

RESPECT PARTY The Respect Party claim that the methods behind work capability testing has been unsuccessful, saying that it attempts to 'paint people on benefits as the cause of our problems'. Respect call for ATOS (the firm behind the fit-for-work scheme) should be scrapped, and a comprehensive welfare system to be provided for those who need it. Source: http://www.respectparty.org/national/abolish-atos/

SNP The SNP has expressed concern at a report in today’s Daily Record showing that almost 10,000 sick and disabled people in Scotland who had undertaken Work Capability Assessments were wrongly told they were fit for work. http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2014/feb/msp-criticises-work-capability-assessment-failures