The Manchester Evening News's front page on Tues 31 March read "End cuts and tax the rich", two of the demands of the newspaper's own "Manchester Manifesto".

According to a poll of 5,000 Manchester residents, an end to the cuts, progressive taxation and preservation of the NHS are the issues that will decide this election. Only one party standing in the May elections gives its full support to these demands: TUSC.

Here is Manchester TUSC supporters' response to the Manchester Manifesto's demands:

■ Hire more GPs and guarantee an appointment within 48 hours

TUSC would refuse to pay the Private Finance Initiative bill, where private companies build public buildings like hospitals and lease them back to the public. This would free up £60 billion nationally, more than enough to plug the funding gap and employ more doctors to handle demand.

■ Scrap the bedroom tax - it is unfair and wrong in principle

TUSC has always stood against the bedroom tax, as it targets the most vulnerable. We would abolish bedroom tax from day one.

■ Introduce a wealth tax on the richest one per pent

TUSC would implement a progressive tax on rich corporations and individuals, and end tax avoidance.

■ Stop the council cuts - they have gone too far

TUSC stands against all cuts to public services, be that in the form of meagre budgets or sell-offs to private companies. On local councils we would resist Westminster budgets and instead implement a budget that meets the needs of the people of Manchester.

■ Raise cash for the NHS with a one-off tax on wealthy individuals or businesses

A one-off levy of 20% on the £519 billion held by the richest 1,000 individuals would raise over £100 billion, enough to plug the funding gap many times over.

■ Cut train fares and improve rail services

The privatisation of the rail network has soundly failed. The temporarily renationalised East Coast Main Line made a profit of £1 billion for the public purse in the six years up to its privatisation this year. TUSC would renationalise the rail network in its entirety, while making it efficient and affordable.

Labour, Conservatives, Lib Dems, Ukip and Greens all favour continued austerity over progressive action that will deliver on these demands. Only TUSC will carry out the policies necessary to meet the needs of the people of Manchester.

TUSC is standing three parliamentary candidates in Manchester and over 30 Manchester council candidates.

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