The government's law-making plans for the next year have been laid out in the Queen's Speech today at 11:30am.
This year the speech was delivered by Prince Charles as the Queen did not attend the ceremony - will the first time she has ever missed the event since 1963. Buckingham Palace announced on Monday (May 9) that Charles will be stepping on the Queen's behalf due to the 96-year-old monarch experiencing mobility issues.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson outlined the laws the government is aiming to get onto the statute book over the coming months in the speech, which is also included a number of new ideas for legislation. The contents of the speech are written by ministers but it is usually read out by the monarch as part of the lavish State Opening of Parliament.
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Here's a look at the key policies announced in the speech:
Brexit
New measures in the Brexit Freedoms Bill will let the government axe remaining Brussels regulations without a full vote in Parliament, as well as create new powers to enhance the ability to amend, repeal or replace retained EU law through reducing reliance on primary legislation.
Media
Plans to privatise Channel 4 have been included in the speech. Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries has said Channel 4 holds a "cherished place" in British life but it needed a change of ownership to flourish.
Bill of rights
In 2019 the Conservatives promised to "update" the Human Rights Act in their manifesto, which put the European Convention on Human Rights into domestic law. Justice Secretary Dominic Raab has since spoken about tearing up the legislation and replacing it with a British Bill of Rights.
In today's speech, Prince Charles announced that Bill of Rights will replace the Human Rights Act, which enshrines the European Convention on Human Rights in UK law.
Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill
In a Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, the government will give councils in England the power to force landlords to rent out commercial properties, as well as give local authorities new powers to take control of empty shop units to help rejuvenate high streets. The Bill will put emphasis on the government to produce an annual report that updates the country on its progress to deliver its missions for levelling up.
Transport Bill
A Transport Bill will be also be put in place to improve transport across the country, which aims to “deliver safer, cleaner services and enabling more innovations”. Provides the new “Great British Railways” body with the powers it needs to take control of the railway system.
Energy Security Bill
An Energy Bill will too be brought forward in a bid to “deliver the transition to cheaper, cleaner, and more secure energy”. Focused on paving the way for new, low-carbon technologies and growing the consumer market for electric heat pumps. It will also appoint Ofgem as the new regulator for heat networks and extend the energy price cap.
Renters Reform Bill
Ministers will scrap "no fault evictions" by removing Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988. But the Bill will also seek to reform possession grounds for landlords, strengthening them for repeated cases of rent arrears.
Higher Education Bill
The Prince of Wales said the government will bring forward a Schools Bill and a Higher Education Bill to reform education, to ensure children can “fulfil their potential wherever they live”.
Such new legislation is expected to be brought forward to overhaul England's schools, with crackdowns on truancy and a shake-up to the funding system. It could also be used to set minimum qualification requirements for a person in England to be eligible for student loans to go to university, effectively restricting access.
Non-Domestic Rating Bill
From 2023, this is set to reduce the business rates revaluation cycle from five to three years.
Online Safety Bill
This legislation, which has been carried over from the previous parliamentary session, includes measures aimed at forcing online giants to take responsibility for protecting users and removing illegal content.
Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill
Law that aims to ban live exports as well as crackdown on puppy smuggling and prohibit keeping primates as pets without a licence.
Conversion Therapy Bill
Prohibits the controversial practice for trying to change someone's sexual orientation, but not gender identity.
Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill
The legislation will introduce new freedom of speech and academic duties on higher education providers, their constituent colleges and students' unions, as part of the Government's culture war agenda.
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