Yesterday (10 May), HRH The Prince of Wales delivered the Queen’s Speech on behalf of HM The Queen. 

The Speech set out her Government’s legislative agenda to grow and strengthen the economy and help ease the cost of living. 

Measures set out to help grow the economy and boost living standards include the landmark Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, that aims to shift more power to local leaders and give communities a louder voice in local planning issues and regenerating our towns. This will be key if we are to make a success of the £20 million Levelling Up Fund bid for our area.

To further tackle rising energy bills, the Energy Security Bill will boost UK energy production, creating tens of thousands of new jobs. 

The Renters Reform Bill and the Social Housing Regulation Bill will strengthen tenants' rights and improve housing quality. 

In addition, the Schools Bill seeks to raise standards and improve attendance. The Higher Education Bill also contains measures to introduce a lifetime loan entitlement—finally removing the age barrier to learning new skills or retraining.

The UK Infrastructure Bank Bill will also be given new powers to create high-quality, high-skill, high-wage jobs in the areas that need them most. This will help to deliver key infrastructure projects like the Mottram Bypass. 

An ambitious new Transport Bill aims to make the rail system more reliable and efficient for passengers, party through the oversight of Great British Rail.

Measures to reform business rates through a Non-Domestic Rating Bill are also being brought forward, introducing fairer rates for smaller businesses that are more regularly reviewed.

Building on the Government’s commitment to recruit 20,000 more police officers, the Queen’s Speech outlined new measures further to cut crime. The promised Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill will bear down on the criminals who abuse our economy, whilst the Public Order Bill will give the police new powers to keep our street safer. The Draft Victims Bill will also strengthen victims’ rights and ensure their voices are properly heard in the justice system.

This legislative agenda builds on the Government’s commitment to better fund the NHS and clear the Covid backlogs—investing a record £36 billion and recruiting an additional 27,000 nurses. 

Robert Largan, MP for High Peak, commented: 

“The Queen’s Speech set out 38 new laws to cut the cost of living, create new high-quality jobs, clear the NHS Covid backlogs, and clamp down on crime. 

“Now is the time to focus on our recovery from the pandemic and to deliver further on the promises we made at the last election. 

“I will, of course, be scrutinising the proposals carefully as they come before Parliament, and stand up for the interests of the High Peak.”