The address, which takes place in the House of Lords, offers ministers the opportunity to outline its main objectives for the near future.
It is part of the official opening ceremony of Parliament, which marks the beginning of the parliamentary year.
For the first time since 1963, the Queen did not attend this year’s official opening due to ‘mobility issues’. His place was taken instead by Prince Charles who was flanked by Prince William, Duke of Cambridge.
This year’s speech contained 38 bills touching on areas such as energy security, carbon emissions and post-Brexit economic deals.
The majority of the legislative program focused on growing the economy and helping with the cost of living crisis, but South Yorkshire Labor MPs said the government had not gone far enough to help families and pensioners in difficulty.
The government will also commit to tougher penalties for protest groups, such as Insulate Britain and Extinction Rebellion, which use disruptive tactics such as blocking roads.
Other areas include overhauling mental health services and tackling the hospital backlog caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Leveling Up the UK was another main theme of the speech, but the 144-page document did not mention South Yorkshire or any of the four main areas in particular.
MP for Doncaster Central, Dame Rosie Winterton, said: ‘The test of the Queen’s Speech will be whether it provides answers to the cost of living crisis facing my constituents. It must reduce the inequalities between the north and the south.
“Of course, we need to have this new hospital urgently.”
Conservative MP for Don Valley Nick Fletcher was more upbeat about the speech.
He said: ‘I am really pleased with this Queen’s Speech, in particular the Education Bill which will ensure the growth of Multi-Academy Trusts, a fairer funding platform for our schools ending the postcode lottery, protecting free speech in universities and safeguards for homeschooled children.
“Our children’s education is key to Doncaster’s future as we continue to build a strong local economy with new jobs, new funds and new businesses in our town.”
But Doncaster North MP Ed Miliband said: ‘For all the families in Doncaster facing the disaster of the cost of living crisis, the government’s legislative agenda has no answer.
“They are refusing a windfall tax on oil and gas companies making record profits to help tackle the energy bill crisis and failing to protect families with energy efficiency measures and a clean energy sprint.
“This program tells you everything you need to know about the government’s position: out of ideas, out of answers and out of touch with the needs of the people of Doncaster.”
Louise Haigh, Labor MP for Sheffield Heeley, added: ‘The official opening of Parliament and the Queen’s Speech was an opportunity for the Government to show the public that they were on their side and ready and ready to stand. lift up and support those who need it most. They failed miserably in this mission.
“They chose not to do anything that would help retirees, the most vulnerable and businesses with the cost of living crisis.
“The government could have taken a number of steps that would have eased the burden and supported those who need help now.
“Labour has a plan for an emergency budget that would impose a windfall tax on oil and gas producers, scrap the National Insurance hike, provide support for struggling businesses and invest in home insulation .
“This speech shows that the government has no plan and no intention of standing on the side of the people who need it.”
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Source: www.thestar.co.uk
This notice was published: 2022-05-10 17:22:02
