The Queen delivered her speech outlining the government's legislative agenda at the state opening of Parliament yesterday morning. We take a look at 12 of the 30 Bills that she announced:
Ratify the Government’s deal, implement the Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement and EEA EFTA Separation Agreement in domestic law, implement the new Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, protect the rights of EU, EEA and Swiss Citizens in law and provide for the implementation period under the end of December 2020.
Enshrine in law the multi-year funding settlement for the NHS that will see a £33.9 billion increase in cash terms by 2023-24.
A wide-ranging Bill to establish new long-term domestic environmental governance based on environmental principles and a framework for legally-binding targets (including air quality) and the new Office for Environmental Protection. Charges will be introduced on single use plastic item, exporting polluting plastic waste to countries outside the OECD will be banned and there will be protections for natural habitats in the planning system. (is this net zero?)
Create a new, single enforcement body, ensure workers keep their tips, extend unpaid carers’ entitlement to leave, build on existing employment law with measures to protect those in low-paid and insecure work, and encourage flexible working.
Provide a framework for the establishment, operation, and regulation of DC pensions and to support pensions dashboards, strengthen the Pension Regulator’s powers to tackle irresponsible management of pension schemes and amend legislation for the Pension Protection Fund compensation regime.
End free movement of EU citizens, deliver a new Australian-style points-based immigration system from 2021, protect the long-standing immigration status of Irish citizens and make changes to rules for access to benefits.
Create powers so the UK can transition trade agreements its party to through its membership of the EU, establish the Trade Remedies Authority to protect UK industry from unfair trading practices, and implement the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement.
Reform UK agriculture by strengthening transparency and fairness in the supply chain, provide consumers with more information about where their food comes from, end the CAP and move to a system based on ‘public money for public goods’. Direct payments will be phased out during a seven-year transition period in England.
Abolish “no-fault” evictions by removing sector 21 of the Housing Act 1988, introduce a lifetime deposit, give landlords more rights to gain possession through the courts, and expand the scope of the rogue landlord and property agent database.
Reintroduced from the previous Parliament. A statutory definition of domestic abuse will be created, establish in law certain roles of the Domestic Abuse Commissioner and prohibit abusers from cross-examining victims in person in family courts.
Strengthen the Government’s powers to scrutinise and intervene in business transactions (takeovers and mergers) if viewed as a threat to national security. The Bill will create a notification system where businesses flag to Government transactions they’re concerned with and a safeguarding mechanism will be put in place for parties to appeal.
New government powers to direct airports to submit proposals to the CAA to modernise airspace, modernise licensing framework for air traffic control and new police powers to tackle drones.
