Queen’s Speech - new legislation that could affect you


David Cameron vowed not to “waste a single moment” in delivering his manifesto promises as the first Conservative-only Queen’s Speech in 19 years is due to be formally unveiled today (May 27).
Schedule:
11.15am: State opening of parliament begins.
11.30am: The Queen delivers her speech.
2.30pm: Queen’s speech debate begins.
What to expect:
EU referendum
Having committed to holding an EU referendum before the end of 2017, the subject is expected be included in the Queen’s Speech.
City devolution
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Hide AdGovernment plans to devolve more powers to English cities in areas such as housing, transport, planning and policing, with Greater Manchester becoming the blueprint, part of the party’s pledge to create a Northern Powerhouse.
Human Rights Act
The government has pledged to abolish the Human Rights Act in favour of a new British Bill of Rights, breaking the formal link between British courts and the European Court of Human Rights.
Income tax
During the election campaign, Cameron promised that there would be no rise in income tax, VAT or national insurance before 2020.
Immigration
The government has promised a crackdown on illegal immigration, setting out new offences to try to control and reduce migration, including giving police the power to seize the wages paid to illegal workers as the “proceeds of crime”.
Housing
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Hide AdWidely expected that the right-to-buy scheme will be revived, to help more than one million people buy their first homes.
Scotland
The Prime Minister has pledged to include a bill, based on a cross-party Smith Commission agreement, giving Holyrood powers over setting income tax rates and controls over VAT and welfare.
Employment
Amongst the announcements, the government is pushing to create two million more jobs and three million more apprenticeships over the course of the Parliament funded by reducing the benefit cap from £26,000 to £23,000.
Strike laws
Sajid Javid, the new business secretary, has said the government will prioritise reforming strike laws, promising “more detail” in the Queen’s Speech.
NHS
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Hide AdCameron has pledged to boost NHS funding by at least £8bn a year by 2020, promising to create a seven-day NHS and 5,000 new GPs.
Communications and Data
Plans to extend surveillance over new forms of communication are likely to be outlined.
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