There are several key battlegrounds where the political parties are hoping to win votes in Kent for the general election on June 8. Paul Francis outlines their pledges.

Running railways and public services

• Conservatives: A pledge to maintain or create new services where new developments are planned.

They say: “We will launch new services in places that are poorly served or host major new housing projects.”

• Labour: The party has controversially pledged to renationalise railways, as well as the Royal Mail and energy companies.

They say: “We will take advantage of near-record low interest rates to create a National Transformation Fund that will invest £250 billion over 10 years in upgrading our economy.”

• Liberal Democrats: New rail franchises must integrate more effectively with other modes of transport and it will bring in a programme of investment in new stations.

They say: “Liberal Democrats will commit to a responsible and realistic £100bn package of additional infrastructure investment and significant investment in road and rail infrastructure.”

The rights of EU workers living in the UK after Brexit

• Conservatives: Will seek a deep and special partnership including a comprehensive free trade and customs arrangements.

They say: “We will secure the entitlements of EU nationals in Britain and British nationals in the EU.”

• Labour: Want to immediately guarantee existing rights of EU nationals living in Britain.

They say: “Those who have migrated to this country have made an immense contribution to our society.”

• Liberal Democrats: EU nationals who are currently resident in the UK should be allowed to live here indefinitely.

They say: “Regardless of the outcome of any negotiations with Europe around Brexit, EU citizens who have made Britain their home must be allowed to stay.”

The shape of a trade deal after Brexit

• Conservatives: Will seek to replicate all existing EU free trade agreements.

They say: “As we leave the European Union, we want to negotiate a new deep and special partnership with the EU, which will allow free trade between the UK and the EU’s member states.”

• Labour: No deal is the “worst possible deal” for the UK and could cripple the nation’s economy. Would seek new trade deal with the EU.

They say: “We will scrap the Conservatives’ Brexit White Paper and replace it with fresh negotiating priorities that have a strong emphasis on retaining the benefits of the single market and the customs union – which are essential for maintaining industries, jobs and businesses in Britain.”

• Liberal Democrats: Wants the UK to maintain membership of the single market and the customs union. Will put final deal with the EU to a referendum, with the other option being remaining in the EU.

They say: “A hard Brexit will make all these problems worse. It is the wrong choice for the country. Liberal Democrats will fight to prevent a hard Brexit.”

Jobs and wages

• Conservatives: A new Conservative government will continue to increase the national living wage to 60% of median earnings by 2020 and then by the rate of median earnings.

They say: “Capitalism and free markets remain the best way to deliver prosperity and economic security, lifting millions of people out of poverty around the world.”

• Labour: Would raise the minimum wage to the level of the living wage for all workers aged 18 or above, expected to be at least £10 per hour by 2020. Would also strengthen the powers of trade unions and ban zero-hour contracts.

They say: “A Labour government will invest in enforcement through a new Ministry of Labour, and empower workers and their trade unions – because we are stronger when we stand together.”

• Liberal Democrats: Will end the 1% cap on pay rises in the public sector and up-rate wages in line with inflation. Will stamp out abuse of zero-hour contracts.

They say: “We will encourage the creation and widespread adoption of a ‘good employer’ kitemark covering areas such as paying a living wage, avoiding unpaid internships and using name-blind recruitment.”

Immigration and the future of border controls between the UK and EU

• Conservatives: Aim to eventually reduce immigration to the “tens of thousands”.

They say: “We want to see sustainable net migration in this country. Leaving the European Union enables us to control our borders in relation to people coming from the EU as well as those who are coming from outside the EU.”

• Labour: Accepts freedom of movement will end after Brexit. A new migration system may include employer sponsorship, work permits and visa regulations.

They say: “Labour believes in ‘fair’ rules and reasonable management’ of migration but rules out ‘making false promises on immigration numbers’.

• Liberal Democrats: Supports the principle of freedom of movement. Any deal negotiated for the UK outside the EU must protect the right to work, travel, study and retire across the EU.

They say: “You simply can’t have a hard Brexit and a strong economy. And that is before you consider how migrants have made British society more exciting, dynamic and successful.”

Adult social care and pensions

• Conservatives: People will pay for care until they are left with £100,000 of their savings and assets, including their home. Will means test winter fuel payments and defer payments for those receiving care at home so they do not have to sell in their lifetime. Will end the pension triple-lock in 2020.

They say: “We believe this powerful combination maximises protection for pensioner households with modest assets, often invested in the family home, while remaining affordable for taxpayers.”

• Labour: Will increase the social care budgets by a further £8bn over the lifetime of the next parliament, including an additional £1bn for the first year. Will protect the pension triple lock into the next parliament.

They say: “We will change the culture of the social security system, from one that demonises people not in work to one that is supportive and enabling.”

• Liberal Democrats: An extra £6bn a year would be spent to “rescue” the service. It would be paid for with a 1p rise on all rates of income tax.

They say: “The Liberal Democrats will rescue the NHS and social care. We are prepared to be honest with people and say that we will all need to chip in a little more.”

Help for small businesses

• Conservatives: Will ensure that 33% of central government purchasing will come from SMEs by the end of the parliament.

They say: “We will continue to support small businesses through business rate relief and low taxation, and by reducing the bureaucracy and regulation that prevents small businesses from flourishing.”

• Labour: Will reinstate the lower small-business corporation tax rate and “declare war” on late payments with binding arbitration and fines for persistent late-payers.

They say: “Labour is the party of small businesses. We understand the challenges our smaller businesses face. ”

• Liberal Democrats: Will create a new ‘start-up allowance’ to help those starting a new business with their living costs in the crucial first weeks of their business and will review business rates, making them the priority for any future business tax cuts.

They say: “Our priority in supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses is to ensure they have access to the funding they need, and in particular long-term (and patient) capital.”