UK Government Lays Down Reform Programme

UK Government lays down reform programme

The Government has set out its programme for reform in the first Queen's Speech of Gordon Brown's premiership. Education, housing, health and the environment topped the bill in the Queen's traditional annual address at the State Opening of Parliament. Details of a string of reforms in other areas were also released today.

The Queen said:

"My Government will take forward policies to respond to the rising aspirations of the people of the United Kingdom; to ensure security for all; and to entrust more power to Parliament and the people.

"My Government's programme will meet people's aspirations for better education, housing, healthcare and children's services, and for a cleaner environment."

A key proposal on education is to increase the age of compulsory learning, either academic or vocational, to 18 and to improve apprenticeship provision. The PM and Schools Secretary Ed Balls highlighted this priority on a visit to Westminister Kingsway College yesterday.

Supporting the Government's pledge to provide three million new homes, legislation will be introduced to create a new Homes and Communities agency with responsibility for affordable housing and regeneration. Planning legislation will also be reformed to make decision-making "quicker and more transparent".

On health, the Queen revealed Government plans to establish a health and social care regulator to ensure "clean and safe services". Gordon Brown recently pledged a "deep-clean" of hospital wards to combat the spread of MRSA and C.difficile.

Following last week's publication of the Climate Change Bill (new window) the Government will bring forward further legislation on the provision of clean, affordable energy and look to make the UK the first country in the world with a legally binding framework for reducing CO2 emissions.

Other key areas under review include security, citizenship and democracy. The Government will "seek consensus" on changes to anti-terror legislation and also "renew the constitutional settlement" - the PM has already made clear his desire to see a Bill of Rights drawn up as part of a written constitution.

A total of 22 separate full Bills were announced by the Government today.

Queen's Speech Transcript

My Lords and Members of the House of Commons

My Government will take forward policies to respond to the rising aspirations of the people of the United Kingdom; to ensure security for all; and to entrust more power to Parliament and the people.

My Government's programme will meet people's aspirations for better education, housing, healthcare and children's services, and for a cleaner environment.

My Government is committed to raising educational standards and giving everyone the chance to reach their full potential.

A Bill will be introduced to ensure that young people stay in education or training until age 18, and to provide new rights to skills training for adults.

Draft legislation will be brought forward to reform apprenticeships.

Available and affordable housing is one of my Government's main priorities.

Legislation will be introduced to create a new Homes and Communities Agency that will deliver more social and affordable housing, and promote regeneration.

There will also be a Bill to reform the planning system, providing for quicker and more transparent decision-making.

My Government is committed to providing a healthcare system organised around the needs of the patient.

Legislation will be introduced to create a stronger health and social care regulator with a remit to ensure clean and safe services and high-quality care.

A Bill will be brought forward to reform the regulation of human embryology and to ensure that Britain remains at the forefront of medical research.

My Government wants all children to have the best possible start in life.

There will be a Bill to improve services for vulnerable children and young people, including those in care.

My Government will bring forward proposals to help people achieve a better balance between work and family life.

Legislation will be introduced to enable unclaimed money in dormant bank accounts to be used for youth facilities, financial inclusion and social investment.

A Bill will place a duty on every employer to contribute to good quality workplace pensions for their employees.

My Government is committed to protecting the environment and to tackling climate change, both at home and abroad.

A Bill will be brought forward to make the United Kingdom the first country in the world to introduce a legally binding framework to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

My Government will introduce legislation to provide clean, secure and affordable supplies of energy.

There will be legislation to tackle congestion and improve public transport.

Alongside measures to meet rising aspirations, my Government will take further action to create stronger communities and tackle terrorism.

Legislation to reform the criminal justice system will continue to be taken forward, with the aim of protecting the public and reducing re-offending.

My Government will publish a draft Bill on citizenship.

My Government will seek a consensus on changes to the law on terrorism so that the police and other agencies have the powers they need to protect the public, whilst preserving essential rights and liberties.

My Government will pursue policies to secure a stable and strong economy, with low inflation, sound public finances, and high levels of employment.

Legislation will be brought forward to protect depositors and ensure confidence in the banking system.

A Bill will be introduced to reduce regulatory burdens on business.

My Government is committed to openness and accountability, and to a strong Parliament able to hold the Government properly to account.

Proposals will be brought forward to renew the constitutional settlement and strengthen the relationship between the Government, Parliament and the people.

My Government will bring forward proposals on the regulation of party finance and expenditure.

Members of the House of Commons

Estimates for the public services will be laid before you.

My Lords and Members of the House of Commons.

My Government will continue to work closely with the devolved administrations in the interests of all the people of the United Kingdom.

My Government will continue to work to build a prosperous and secure European Union, better able to respond to the challenges of globalisation. Legislation will be brought forward to enable Parliament to approve the European Union Reform Treaty.

Reducing global poverty will be a high priority for my Government, with renewed efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. The Duke of Edinburgh and I look forward to visiting Uganda later this month for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

My Government will continue to work with the Government of Iraq to deliver security, political reconciliation and economic reconstruction.

My Government will continue to support the Government of Afghanistan as it tackles extremism, instability and the narcotics trade.

My Government will continue to work with the United Nations, G8 and European Union to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction, including addressing international concerns over Iran's nuclear intentions.

My Government will maintain Britain's strong commitment to reaching a lasting peace settlement between Israel and the Palestinians.

Other measures will be laid before you.

My Lords and Members of the House of Commons: I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your counsels.

ENDS

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