Lesson 2: Budget, Manifesto, Green Paper, White Paper?

📘 Manifesto

A manifesto is a political party’s vision and promises before a general election.

• It outlines what a party will do if it wins power

• It sets the direction for future budgets, bills, and policy papers

• Some manifesto commitments are treated as mandates (i.e. almost guaranteed to pass in Parliament)

🟢 When to engage:
→ In the pre-election period
→ Join party consultation processes
→ Push your issues onto party agendas
→ Build long-term campaigns that shape future manifestos

💰 The Budget

The Budget is an annual financial plan delivered by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

• Sets out tax rates, public spending, and national priorities

• Covers education, healthcare, benefits, defence, transport and more

• Can introduce surprise policy changes with immediate effect

🟢 When to engage:
→ Before Budget Day: respond to Treasury consultations, brief MPs
→ After Budget Day: analyse the impact and hold government to account
→ Join post-Budget campaigns or media response efforts

🗓️ Usually happens in March (Spring Budget) and sometimes Autumn (Autumn Statement)

🟢 Green Paper

A Green Paper is a discussion document published by the government.

• It explores possible options for new policies or laws

• It invites consultation — meaning you can send in opinions or evidence

• It often leads to a White Paper or a Bill

🟢 When to engage:
→ As soon as it’s published — respond to the consultation
→ Share with communities who will be impacted
→ Mobilise public response to steer policy direction

📝 Green = open to influence — this is your moment to help shape policy before it’s written.

⚪ White Paper

A White Paper is a more formal document that sets out the government’s specific proposals.

• It usually follows a Green Paper

• It signals the direction of upcoming laws or major reforms

• It shows what the government is likely to do

🟢 When to engage:
→ Analyse for problems, gaps, and impact
→ Brief MPs before the proposals become a bill
→ Run awareness campaigns if harmful proposals are coming

📌 White = serious proposals. Green = open discussion.