ur's energy and climate-change policies <# «justify"> · Achieving around 40 per cent low-carbon electricity by 2020
· Creating 400,000 new green jobs by 2015
· Making greener living easier and fairer through pay as you save home energy insulation
· Energy-bill discounts for pensioners
· Banning recyclable and biodegradable materials from landfill
Transport. Key transport policies <# «justify"> · Building a new high-speed rail line linking North and South.
· Improving commuter services and electrifying new rail lines.
· Completing the east-west Crossrail line in London
· Targeted motorway widening, including the M25
· No road pricing
· Supporting a third runway for Heathrow
· Ensuring there are 100,000 electric vehicle charging points by end of next Parliament
Immigration. It will be controlled through an Australian-style points-based system to stop unskilled migration from outside the EU.
All public sector employees who have contact with the public must possess an appropriate level of English language competence, Labour promised.tests will be made compulsory for public sector migrant workers.
However, the new language requirement will apply only to people directly employed by local and central government, and not to agency or contract staff, who fill many front-line public service posts. Nor will employees of other public bodies be covered. Business. Labour's business policies <# «justify"> · Building a high-tech economy
· Modernising Britain's infrastructure
· Supporting business and industry to create one million more skilled jobs
When selling off Northern Rock, the manifesto says Labour will encourage a mutual solution for the bank that had to be nationalised during the credit crisis.
This policy would give customers stakes in the lender instead of selling shares on the open market, returning it to its former status as a building society., it is not clear how this would lead to the repayment of the billions in public funds that were given to Northern Rock, whereas a straightforward privatisation would be more likely to generate a return for taxpayers.
Foreign policy. Using Britain's international reach to build security and stability - combating terrorism and extremism, curbing proliferation, preventing and resolving conflict, and tackling climate change. Re-energising the drive to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, supporting sustainable growth and combating poverty. Reforming the UN, International Financial Institutions, the G8 and G20, and NATO to adapt to the new global challenges.the agenda for a European Union that delivers jobs, prosperity and global influence.
Constitutional reform. The MPs expenses scandal <# «justify"> Police. Failing police forces could be taken over by more effective neighbouring forces, the manifesto says.could see chief constables and commanders sacked for failing to meet required standards, and successful techniques shared to spread better policing around Britain.officer...
