The Prime Minster has revealed the key themes that will form the heart of the Queen’s Speech. In a series of speeches given this week, David Cameron has identified immigration controls, schools, and the NHS as key priorities for his new Government, and all are expected to feature centrally in Wednesday’s Queen’s Speech.
The Queen’s Speech, although given by the monarch, is drafted by the Prime Minister of the day, and lays out the legislative programme of the Government for the coming year. It is delivered by Her Majesty the Queen in the House of Lords to Peers and Members of Parliament. This year’s Queen’s Speech, the first of the new Conservative Government, will take place on Wednesday 27th May.
Greg will be in the Palace of Westminster for this year’s Queen’s Speech. Last year, as Treasurer of the Household and Deputy Chief Whip, he travelled in a coach behind the Queen, from Buckingham Palace.
In his first speech on immigration since the election, the Prime Minister has committed to helping millions of working people by putting new laws in place to control immigration in next week’s Queen’s Speech in the form of a far-reaching Immigration Bill. There will be a ‘whole of government’ approach to clamp down on illegal immigration.
A new offence of illegal working will be created so that police may seize wages, making sure illegal working doesn’t pay. The new criminal offence of illegal working will apply to migrants who have entered the country illegally and also those who came to the country legally, but are in breach of their conditions or have overstayed. It will deprive illegal migrants of their wages which will make it harder for them to stay in the UK.
The Prime Minister said: “Uncontrolled immigration can damage our labour market and push down wages. The British people want this sorted out.
“That’s why we are setting out our approach for a firm but fair immigration system which tackles abuse and continues our reforms to reduce net migration. We will limit access to public services, take action against employers who don’t play by the rules and remove more people with no right to be here. At the same time, the Government will reduce demand for migrant labour by ensuring British people have the right skills and training to fill those jobs while continuing to welcome the brightest and best to the UK.”
The Queen’s Speech will also include details of the Government’s plans to step up school improvements with a new bill to tackle failing schools.
A good education is about giving every child the start they need to make something of their life. That’s why the Conservatives will continue our push to improve our schools and the forthcoming Queen’s Speech – will introduce new powers so new leadership can be brought in the moment a school is found to be failing, and new powers to intervene in coasting schools, and will make an immediate start on the Conservative commitment to deliver 500 new free schools.
This week the Prime Minister also gave a speech outlining his commitment to the 7-Day NHS.
The Prime Minister said: “There is nothing that embodies the spirit of One Nation coming together more than the NHS, and nothing that working people depend on more. We are committed to securing free healthcare for everyone, wherever you are and whenever you need it.
“That means getting the best care and making that care available for everyone – free – wherever they are and whenever they need it. So together – by sticking to the plan – we can become the first country in the world to deliver a truly 7-day NHS.
“And we must do so to protect and preserve the values of the NHS that are so central to our national identity. To keep our people healthy, to look after them when they fall ill, to care for the elderly with dignity and to ensure that free healthcare is always there whenever people need it most.”
Greg Hands, MP for Chelsea and Fulham, commented on the Prime Minister’s announcements and the upcoming Queen’s Speech saying: “It is good news that David Cameron has identified immigration, schools, and the NHS as key priorities for our first parliament back in Government. These issues were central to the Conservatives’ election campaign, and our greatly increased vote shows a clear demand from the public to enact our policies.
“During the election I told voters that we would continue to increase spending on the NHS, provide 7-day a week access to GPs and deliver a truly 7-day NHS, and that we would also maintain the amount of money that follows each child into school, ensure there is a good primary school place available for every child and to lift the cap on university places.
“These policies will mean people in Britain will always have access to a free and high quality health service when we need it most, and that our children have the skills they need to succeed.
“Labour let immigration get totally out of control – and opposed everything we have done to control the system. We are also building an immigration system that is fair to British citizens and legitimate migrants, but tough on those who abuse the system or flout the law.
“I am looking forward to hearing more details of these plans and others in Queen’s Speech next week.”