The Liberal Democrats would hike levies on banks and large companies rather than high earners, Sir Ed Davey has suggested, as he abandoned a longstanding party pledge to put a penny on income tax.
Reversing cuts to the surcharge on the financial sector and targeting water, oil and gas firms would help to fund the party’s newly adopted multibillion-pound policy platform, the leader indicated.
Sir Ed said the Lib Dem commitment – dating back to 1992 – to raise income tax by 1p to improve public services is unsustainable in the current economic climate.
He indicated that the income tax policy would be abandoned even for society’s super-rich.
Asked on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme if he thinks wealthier individuals should pay more tax, Sir Ed said: “I think the taxes are going up quite a lot already under the Conservatives.”
The party adopted an early version of its manifesto at its annual conference on Sunday with policies aimed at winning over voters in Tory heartlands.
It has promised to lay out a fully costed document closer to the next general election, expected next year.
Among its policies is a £5 billion social care pledge which would see people “be looked after where they want to be at home” and improved GP and mental health services.
Sir Ed has argued that the social care package would help to pay for itself by saving £3 billion elsewhere on the NHS, for example by freeing up hospital beds and relieving pressure on care homes.
“But in this Parliament I’ve given a flavour of that. So we’ve talked about those organisations, businesses, that have been making huge profits, doing really well, and other people are struggling with the cost of living.
“We’ve suggested some taxes on those organisations. So the Liberal Democrats were the first to talk about a windfall tax on the oil and gas companies that are making tens of billions of pounds of profit after President Putin invaded Ukraine… we’ve also talked about reversing the tax cuts that the Conservatives have given to the banks.”
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced in his autumn budget the Government would slash its tax surcharge on the banking sector to 3% from 8%.
Keeping the triple lock for pensions and banning sewage dumping are among pledges the party says are central to the newly approved document.
Its focus is on local health services and the environment, which the party believes are crucial to woo traditionally Conservative voters in places such as southern England.
“No, you’re not,” one audience member replied.
Sir Ed has said people on the doorstep just “aren’t talking about Europe”, but senior figures – including former leader Sir Vince Cable – have argued the party should not lose sight of the issue.
An ultimate goal to return to membership status within the bloc is currently official policy, but the leader has appeared reluctant to speak publicly about this and says it is currently off the table.
Sir Ed has advocated “root-and-branch” reform of the existing Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA), but framed this as a long-term challenge, arguing a “realistic” approach is necessary.
The party has committed to building 150,000 social homes a year – shifting away from a pledge to build 380,000 homes annually in its 2019 manifesto.
But one Lib Dem council leader, speaking at a fringe event alongside housing spokeswoman Helen Morgan, said abandoning national housing goals would be an “abdication of responsibility” and warned against “fluffy local targets”.
The leadership is expected to face opposition from some members of the party on Monday, with a motion put forward by the Young Liberals seeking to insist on the 380,000 target.
Monday morning saw activists agree on a transport motion, with the party reaffirming its support for HS2 amid speculation the Government could abandon the northern leg of the project.
Delegates also heard from Ukrainian MP Kira Rudik, who delivered an emotional speech thanking the UK for its support during the Russian invasion, to a standing ovation.
“What you’re doing is truly generational and on behalf of Ukrainian people I say only one thing: thank you. We will never forget it,” she said.
