Parties clash on key issues in BBC Devon debate
The candidates discussed a variety of issues during the debate hosted by BBC Radio Devon
- Published
Ahead of the general election on 4 July, five candidates from across Devon have come together to debate the key issues facing voters.
Rebecca Smith (Conservatives), Fred Thomas (Labour), Caroline Voaden (Liberal Democrats), Andrew Bell (Green Party) and Gordon Scott (Reform UK) participated in the Your Voice, Your Vote debate hosted by BBC Radio Devon based on questions from listeners.
The NHS, the environment and the cost of living were the key issues discussed.
Cost of living
Caroline Voaden, from the Lib Dems, said her party would work to help the self-employed and end the two-child benefit cap.
Labour's Fred Thomas said the party would aim to grow the economy and give the public purse a "boost" to alleviate the cost of living.
Andrew Bell, from the Green Party, said they would push for a £40 rise in Universal Credit, a £15 minimum wage and an end to the two-child benefit cap.
Gordon Scott said Reform UK would raise the basic rate tax threshold to £20,000, removing 7m people from paying tax altogether.
Rebecca Smith said the Conservatives would further cut National Insurance as part of a "clear plan" that was already working.
The environment
Fred Thomas, from Labour, said there were "record levels" of sewage in waterways and his party would "restore pride" to the countryside and seas.
Reform UK's Gordon Scott said climate change policies should come from local communities to ensure "real change" occurred.
Caroline Voaden said the Lib Dems wanted 90% of electricity to be provided by renewables by 2030 and for all new homes to be net-zero.
Rebecca Smith said the Conservatives had invested "huge" sums of money in rolling out net zero emission buses and pushed to regularly test water quality.
Andrew Bell said the Green Party would phase out fossil fuels and aim for 70% of electricity to come from wind power by 2030.
The NHS
Rebecca Smith said the Conservatives would increase NHS spending above inflation every year and recruit 92,000 more nurses and 28,000 more doctors.
Fred Thomas said Labour would reform primary care and bring back the family doctor as well as neighbourhood health centres.
Caroline Voaden said the Lib Dems would add 8,000 new GPs and guarantee patients could see a GP within seven days.
Andrew Bell said Greens would invest "billions" in the NHS by taxing the "multi-millionaires and billionaires".
Gordon Scott said Reform UK would make sure nurses and doctors would not pay basic rate of tax for three years to address staffing problems.
Follow BBC Devon on X (formerly Twitter), external, Facebook, external and Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk, external.
Related topics
- Published4 July
- Published3 July
