Queen to outline Brown's agenda
Crime and finance initiatives are set to feature prominently in the
Queen's Speech later as the government outlines planned legislation for
the next year.
While 18 bills were listed in a preview in May, there have been reports
they will be scaled back to concentrate on the economic crisis.
But plans for welfare and banking reform and a citizenship bill are due
to be confirmed as Parliament opens.
Afterwards, the Speaker will give a statement on MP Damian Green's
arrest.
The Conservative immigration spokesman was arrested at his home last
Thursday, had his parliamentary office searched and was questioned for
nine hours about leaked information from the Home Office.
Many MPs say Speaker Michael Martin should not have allowed the police
to enter Parliament.
The Speaker is set to make a statement at 1430 GMT, following the
Queen's Speech, after which he is likely to face requests from senior
opposition MPs for an immediate debate on the issue.
Before that, the State Opening of Parliament will take place amid pomp
and pageantry, with the Queen outlining the government's proposed
legislation for the year ahead in the House of Lords
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has previewed the annual Queen's Speech with
a draft legislative statement in May for the past two years.
But this year there are thought to be some changes, because of the rapid
downturn in the economy.
Reports suggest a new statutory code of conduct on bank lending will
require lenders to give customers specific notice if they plan to
withdraw or alter credit and leave banks open to fines if they do not
treat customers fairly.
Newspapers reports suggest plans to extend the right to request flexible
working to many more parents will be included despite concerns about the
impact on businesses during a likely recession.
There have been suggestions the controversial communications data bill -
which included plans for a database of all phone and internet records
and faced fierce opposition - has been shelved.
And plans to stop shops displaying cigarettes, which may have been
included in an NHS Reform Bill, may be watered down because of economic
concerns, although some new restrictions are still expected.
Bills that are expected to be in the Queen's Speech include:
* The Welfare Reform Bill which includes plans to make the long-term
unemployed in England, Scotland and Wales start training courses or face
benefit cuts and to assess skills when people first claim.
* The Citizenship, Immigration and Borders Bill , covering the whole
UK, which would streamline immigration law and implement the
government's plans for "earned citizenship" - newcomers will be expected
to learn English.
* The Banking Reform Bill includes measures to allow the Bank of
England, Treasury and FSA to intervene earlier to prevent another bank
crisis. It was introduced early and has already started its passage
through Parliament but some reports suggest it will include extended
powers to take other financial businesses into public ownership.
* Police and Crime Reduction Bill which implements the Flanagan
review recommendations to reduce police bureaucracy and includes powers
to deal with binge drinking - including a possible ban on drinks
promotions.
* The Equality Bill for England, Wales and Scotland which aims to
streamline laws on sex, race and religious discrimination, improve
enforcement and allow political parties to use all-women shortlists
until 2030.
On Tuesday, ministers hinted that "fair rules" would be at the heart of
the Queen's Speech and the prime minister said there could not be "one
rule for some and another rule for others".
"Stronger communities, quite simply, will help our country come through
these times faster and stronger," he said.
"So as the government takes action, we expect people to play their part
in return, with clear consequences for those who do not."
But the Conservatives said Labour had had a decade in power to make
Britain fairer.
Shadow work and pensions secretary Chris Grayling said it was "an
exercise in spin and re-announcements"
"Labour has failed to give people fair chances in life through proper
education and welfare reforms and has let down communities by failing to
control immigration and protect the victims of crime."
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.
Published: 2008/12/03 00:49:27 GMT
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
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