THE Queen has formally opened Parliament and revealed Boris Johnson’s agenda for the next year.
The Queen’s Speech lays out what the PM is looking to do in the coming months.
Here’s a vague rundown of everything Her Majesty mentioned – and what it means for you.
NHS funding – [Health and Care Bill]
- Provides additional funding to support the NHS
- Ministers will bring forward laws to “empower the NHS to innovate and embrace technology”
- Patients will receive more tailored and preventative care, closer to home
- Measures will be brought forward to support the health and wellbeing of the nation, including to tackle obesity and improve mental health
- Proposals on social care reform will be brought forward, but no detail on this was provided
- The Queen said ministers will to build on the success of the vaccination programme to lead the world in life sciences, pioneering new treatments against diseases like cancer and securing jobs and investment across the country
Tackling hostile foreign states [Counter-State Threats Bill, Telecommunications (Security) Bill] - Long-awaited reforms to the Official Secrets Act will be outlined in the Queen’s Speech
- The changes will allow the UK to prosecute Russian, North Korean and Chinese hackers; Iranian spies who target the UK’s Middle East bases and those caught spying at British embassies
Ripping up fixed term Parliaments and voter ID – [Electoral Integrity Bill, Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill, Judicial Review Bill, Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Bill] - New laws to put voter ID plans in place
- Giving the PM the powers to call an election rather than wait every five years
Help to buy and rent [Planning Bill, Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Bill, Building Safety Bill]
- Help more people to own their own home
- Enhancing the rights of those who rent
- A new Building Safety Regulator to ensure that the Grenfell tragedy is never repeated
Tougher sentences for violent criminals[Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill] – Bill carried over from previous session - Longer sentences for hard offenders
Immigration system to strengthen borders [New Plan for Immigration Legislation] - Measures to stop people crossing the channel in small boats
- Aims to deter and put off criminals who take others across
- Introducing fairer routes to asylum
Keeping kids safe online – [Draft Online Safety Bill] - An internet safety bill that forces firms to tackle hate and abuse
Level up the North – Skills and Post-16 Education Bill
- A new finance system to transform the student loans system
- Every adult will have access to a flexible loan for higher education and training at uni or college which they can use throughout their lives
Take advantage of Brexit – [Subsidy control bill]
- Measures will be introduced to ensure that support for businesses reflects the United Kingdom’s strategic interests and drives economic growth
Freeport zones with lower tax areas to stimulate the economy [Procurement Bill]
- Eight new Freeports will create hubs for trade and help regenerate communities
Internet coverage and security – [Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill] - Extending 5G coverage across the UK, and high speed broadband
- Protecting the UK from rogue actors by strengthening our tech and internet
National Insurance relief for employers of veterans – [National Insurance Contributions Bill] - Measures will be introduced to provide National Insurance contribution relief for employers of veterans
Releasing funds for charities [Dormant Assets Bill, Charities Bill]
- Supporting charities by ripping up red tape and releasing additional funds for good causes
Going green ahead of COP26 – Environment Bill - More investment in new green industries to create jobs and protecting the environment.
- Legislation will set binding environmental targets to meet eco goals
Protecting animal feelings in law – [Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill, Kept Animals Bill, Animals Abroad Bill]
- New laws to get animal feelings in law and promote the highest standards of animal welfare
Northern Ireland legacy – [Northern Ireland (Ministers, Elections and Petitions of Concerns) Bill, Legacy Legislation] - Addressing legacy issues in Northern Ireland – but doesn’t include specifics about protecting veterans
Extra armed forces funding [Armed Forces Bill] and national insurance relief for those who hire veterans [National Insurance Contributions Bill]. - Extra cash for the army
- Placing the Armed Forces Covenant in law
- Encouraging people to hire veterans with tax breaks
Stopping violence against women and girls, and support victims [Draft Victims Bill] - Extra help for victims of violence
Research cash – [Advance Research and Invention Agency Bill] - The fastest ever increase in public funding for research and development
- A fresh research agency to oversee it – something previously advocated by the PM’s ex-aide Dominic Cummings
Infrastructure – [High Speed Rail (Crewe to Manchester) Bill] - This will extend the High Speed Rail links up to Manchester in the coming years
