Tax rise raising £18m for Oldham's NHS

Gareth Harkness

A PENNY on income tax would raise £18m for the NHS in Oldham, the Lib Dems have claimed.

The party said a penny-in-the-pound rise on all income tax bands would also fund 107 more nurses and £7m for social care.

In the 2018/19 financial year, the Lib Dems said that the extra taxes would raise £4.9bn for England overall.

The party has also pledged an additional £36.37m of funding for schools in Oldham paid for in part by reversing Conservative cuts to corporation tax, which they believe would be enough to pay for 200 more teachers.

Stronger
Meanwhile an additional £15.6m funding for Greater Manchester Police would pay for 312 more officers, helping to cut crime and ensure a stronger police presence in the area.

Other key policies in the Liberal Democrat manifesto include plans for a £100bn infrastructure fund to build more homes, improve road and rail links and install fibre-optic broadband across the country.

The party also said it will give the people a chance to change Britain's future by holding a referendum on the final Brexit deal, with the option to remain.

Garth Harkness, Lib Dem candidate in Oldham West and Royton, said: "These plans would build a brighter future for people in Oldham, and surrounding areas and reverse Conservative cuts to our schools, hospitals and police.

"We want to build a fairer Britain, with good schools and hospitals, a clean environment and an innovative economy.

"Theresa May wants to bring in a dementia tax, sack our teachers and nick our kids lunches.

"As your Liberal Democrat MP, I will fight for a better deal on Europe, more money for the NHS and schools and a brighter future for all in Oldham and surrounding areas."