• Deal with the deepening recession

• Combat climate change

• Support the growing number of people with serious disabilities

The Recession:

• Free insulation for a hundred thousand homes, over five years. This would save about 75 million pounds in gas and electricity charges, most of which would be spent locally, while creating hundreds of decent jobs.

• Massively increase independent advice services to reduce the impact of debts and to secure benefits. They would also help tens of thousands of elderly and disabled people get about twenty million pounds a year in unclaimed benefits. Most of this would be spent locally, safeguarding hundreds of jobs.

• Expand the only Credit Union in Oxfordshire. This will provide credit for people who otherwise have to turn to loan sharks. It will also provide loans to small local businesses that are ignored by the big banks.

• Help start local food-purchasing cooperatives. These will save up to half the cost of food and will be staffed by volunteers, some of whom will be looking for useful activity while seeking new employment.

• Employ hundreds of young apprentices.

Climate Change:

• Insulation of a hundred thousand homes would enormously reduce the County’s carbon footprint. If done throughout the country it would be unnecessary to have any new coal or nuclear power stations.

• £6,000 per school to invest in wind or solar energy. This would reduce carbon emissions and save substantial sums which could be used by the schools. Most importantly, all our children will learn about the importance and practicality of renewable energy.

Better Support for the Elderly and Children with disabilities:

The numbers of very old people and children with serious disabilities increase every year. We would create for the first time a coherent structure to make life easier and more rewarding for them and their families by investing an additional £13 million over 5 years in the following ways:

• A team of Community Workers to make every village and neighbourhood the centre of care for the elderly and disabled

• Subsidised transport so people can stay in touch with the world

• Short breaks for hard pressed carers, the backbone of our society

• Employ our teachers, artists, writers and performers to enable people with disabilities to enjoy and create

• Restoring unacceptable reductions to home and residential care

Not a penny increase in Council Tax. We do all this by restoring moderate charges for on-street parking and Park and Rides.