Conservative Party Manifesto

Boris Johnson launched the Conservative Party manifesto over the weekend. The key employment related commitments contained within it are:

1. A general commitment to "Achieve the right regulatory balance between supporting excellent business practice and protecting workers" and  to "ensure that regulation is sensible and proportionate and that we always consider the needs of small businesses when devising new rules".
2. A stated aim of increasing the National Living Wage to be at 2/3rds of average income.
3. To increase employees' NI threshold to £9500.
4. Create an "Australian-Style", points –based immigrations system.
5. Increase the Employment Allowance for small businesses.
6. A new "National Skills Fund" of up to £3billion for matched funding for education and training for individuals and SMEs
7. Creating a single enforcement body to "crack down" on any employer abusing Employment law.
8. Introduce measures to encourage flexible working.
9. Legislation to allow parents to take extended leave for Neonatal care.
10. To look at ways to make it easier for fathers to take paternity leave.
11. Extend the entitlement to leave for unpaid carers.
12. Reduce National Insurance contributions for employers who employ ex-Service personnel and guarantee a job interview in any public sector role for any Veteran who applies for the role.