Queen鈥檚 Speech focuses on a stronger economy and fairer society
David Jones: "This legislative programme reaffirms our commitment to improve the lives of people in Wales and across the United Kingdom."
Wales Office
Commenting on the government鈥檚 legislative programme for the coming year, announced by Her Majesty The Queen today (4 June 2014), Secretary of State for Wales David Jones said:
鈥淭he programme announced in the Queen鈥檚 Speech today underlines the government鈥檚 commitment to our long term economic plan to build a stronger and a fairer society.鈥�
Our three priorities for the fourth session legislative programme are:
-
economic growth and deficit reduction
-
social reform
-
justice and prevention of crime
The legislative programme contains 11 Bills and 3 draft Bills.
It also includes five carry over Bills introduced in the last session, including the Wales Bill which will devolve new powers to the National Assembly for Wales and Welsh Ministers over taxation.
David Jones MP said:
鈥淎s a government we have shown that we are not afraid to take difficult decisions when it comes to reducing the deficit and growing the economy.
鈥淏y delivering sustainable growth driven by the private sector we will continue to repair the damaged economy we inherited in 2010.
鈥淥ur fourth parliamentary legislative programme will make a real difference to people鈥檚 lives across the United Kingdom.
鈥淭he Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill will allow small businesses to access the finance they need to grow and to reduce red tape, making the UK a more attractive place to start, and develop a business.
鈥淭he Pensions Tax Bill and the Private Pensions Bill with allow for innovation in the private pensions market, providing more choice for those saving for retirement and giving greater freedom to individuals in how they access their pension benefits.
鈥淭he Childcare Payments Bill will help working families with childcare costs. The Bill will introduce a scheme providing working families with support towards qualifying childcare costs, up to a maximum of 拢2,000 per year for each child.
鈥淭he Modern Slavery Bill will strengthen the existing powers to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking, while improving support for victims of such crimes.
鈥淭he Serious Crime Bill will strengthen the powers of the police to prevent serious and organised crime, as well as enhanced powers to tackle child neglect.
鈥淭he Infrastructure Bill will guarantee long-term investment in infrastructure and improve economic competitiveness.
鈥淭he Armed Forces (Service Complaints and Financial Assistance) Bill will improve the complaints system in the Armed Forces through the creation of an ombudsman.
鈥淭he Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Bill provides that where a person acts heroically, responsibly or for the benefit of others, this will be taken into account by the courts.
鈥淲e are continuing with legislation, through the Wales Bill, to give the Assembly and the Welsh Government more powers over taxation.
鈥淭his legislative programme reaffirms our commitment to improve the lives of people in Wales and across the United Kingdom.鈥�