Summary of measures in the Queen's Speech

An EU referendum by the end of 2017 is among a packed programme of new laws in the first Conservative Queen's Speech in nearly two decades.
 
It also includes more free childcare, an income tax freeze and the right-to-buy for housing association tenants. As in the previous post, David Cameron described the 26-bill package was a "programme for working people" that would create full employment and "bring our country together".

The proposed legislation includes:
  • A ban on income tax, VAT and national insurance increases for five years
  • A freeze on working age benefits, tax credits and child benefit for two years from 2016/17
  • 30 hours free childcare a week for three and four-year-olds by 2017
  • Cutting the total amount one household can claim in benefits from £26,000 to £23,000
  • More devolution for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and "English votes for English laws" at Westminster
  • 500 more free schools and more failing and "coasting" schools turned into Academies
  • A ban on so-called legal highs
  • A "truly seven day" NHS by 2020
  • The BBC has a bill-by-bill rundown of the full programme.
  • an Investigatory Powers Bill to give intelligence agencies new tools to target internet data intended to protect citizens from terrorists.
But there will be widespread consultation prior to implementation of proposals which the government will bring forward for a British Bill of Rights to replace the Human Rights Act, with legislation expected following that consultation later in the parliament.

I think it is important we get this legislation right and that a proper British Bill of Rights to protect our ancient freedoms is on our own statute book, rather than outsourcing the protection of our ancient liberties to the ECHR.

There was no mention in the speech of a promised free vote on repeal of the badly drafted and unworkable Hunting Act, but environment secretary Liz Truss said this will happen by 2020.

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