Howard: Would freeze civil service recruitment

A future Tory government would "put Britain on the road to lower taxes" and tackle immigration, Michael Howard has said.

Ahead of a bank holiday weekend set to be dominated by 11th-hour political campaigning, Howard set out his timetable for government.

In Howard's programme, day one would see a freeze on civil service recruitment and an immediate drive to reduce the paperwork burden on police officers.

By the end of the first week, the early release scheme for prisoners will have been scrapped and Howard’s education secretary will begin to dismantle centrally-set targets in schools.

Limited tax cuts would be pledged in an early Budget, although they would not be effective until the 2006/07 fiscal year.

The Conservative Queen's Speech will have some central themes – notably setting hospitals free from Whitehall control and the introduction of choice in education and health.

On immigration Howard said he would impose an annual limit on immigrants and take action to halt people smuggling.

"If people elect me on Thursday I will know they have sent me a clear message on immigration," he told journalists.

Howard also pledged an Australian style work permits system and "24 hour surveillance" at British ports.

"The people of Britain are ready for something better. They want a clear indication of where we are going and how we will get there."

Howard said he would spend the weekend setting out "eight priority tasks which will be achieved by a specific date".

"The people of country want to know how things will be done. We are telling them," he added.