Yesterday saw Her Majesty the Queen carry out the State Opening of the new session of Parliament. In what I understand was her 63rd Queen’s Speech she formally set out the government’s new programme for the forthcoming session.
There were three main themes: delivering security for working people; increasing life chances for the most disadvantaged and strengthening our national security.
Included in the first of these themes are the Digital Economy Bill – this give every household a legal right to a fast broadband connection, the Modern Transport Bill – this will include legislation covering commercial spaceports and driverless cars, a Neighbourhood Planning and Infrastructure Bill and a Local Growth and Jobs Bill. This last Bill will bring about the biggest change in local finances for several decades. It will give local Councils full control of the money they raise through business rates, so they will have the full benefit attracting new companies and investment into their area.
David Nuttall 