THE Resolution Foundation, an independent think tank dedicated to improving living conditions, has released reports on each political party’s manifesto ahead of this week’s general election.

The report found that, among the three main parties, the most progressive manifesto was put forward by the Lib Dems.

In fact, the report concluded that 600,000 more children would be protected from sinking into poverty by the Liberals’ spending commitments, compared to under another ruinous Tory government.

Christopher Marlowe, from Darlington, said: “Being a Lib Dem, to me, is about the political balance between creating opportunity for everyone to explore and express their potential, while providing support and care for those who – through illness, disability or other disadvantage – may not be able to participate in that opportunity."

The Liberal Democrat party has pledged to increase spending on benefits for families, as well as on additional support such as childcare and school meals.

The Lib Dems have also committed to scrapping the single biggest contributing factor to child poverty: the two-child limit on benefits, which since its introduction by the Tory government in 2017 has meant that families receive no additional benefits for children beyond their first two.

Conversely, the Conservative manifesto punishes the most vulnerable in society, and the Resolution Foundation predicts that more than half-a-million children will suffer from poverty, compared to if the Liberal Democrats win a majority.

Neil Gibbs, a North-East businessman, member of the Lib Dems, and father of two, said: “The most important thing for me is to safeguard our children’s future, and to show them that politics should be about tolerance, individual freedom, and building a fair society.

“The generation we have created believe in equality, they are progressive, and they focus on the important issues which will affect their futures, so we cannot allow them to be restricted under a government with bigoted views, hidden agendas, and poor representation.

“As a member of the Lib Dems, I strongly believe I am with a party which will drag us out of the dark ages and allow us to embrace a future where the country can develop and prosper.”

For more information on the Liberal Democrats’ plans to create a fairer UK, click here.