Julian welcomes Queen’s Speech but cautions that more needs to be done to protect living standards
May 11, 2022
Julian has welcomed the Queen’s Speech, read in Parliament yesterday by Prince Charles, which set out the Government’s legislative programme for the coming year.
The Speech set out nearly 40 bills that will be put before Parliament in this session, delivering on some of the Government’s main priorities. A Levelling-Up and Regeneration Bill will give local communities a greater say in the planning system and streamline the process for local authorities to agree a local plan. A Schools Bill will implement a direct national funding formula, so that every school is allocated funding on the same basis, regardless of where it is in the country.
A Transport Bill will allow for the establishment of Great British Railways, a new public body for which York is a strong contender to host the new headquarters. The Government also intends to introduce a bill to put food production on a more secure and sustainable footing, by harnessing new technologies in precision breeding. An Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill will clamp down on illicit finance, targeting those connected to the Russian regime who abuse our open economy in order to hide their assets.
After the Speech, Julian said: “We are now approaching the halfway point of this Parliament and I was pleased to see the Government is pressing on with its programme to deliver on our manifesto commitments. Over the next year, I will be following the Transport Bill particularly closely as the Government sets up Great British Railways, a public body that could very well come to play a big role in the future of our city. The commitment to make it easier for local authorities to get a local plan in place is also welcome news for York, where the process has been subject to lengthy delays.
Whilst legislation in these areas and others remains important, we much also not lose sight of the fact that the cost of living is the main issue that people are looking for the Government to address. Today, the pledge to provide £22 billion in support to families to help ease these pressures was reaffirmed. The Prime Minister also expressed optimism about an improving economic outlook towards the end of the Parliament. In the meantime however, additional decisive measures from the Chancellor would be welcome, especially measures to lift the tax burden on households and key sectors of the economy.”
