Queen's Speech: Plans revealed to "level up" jobs, businesses and economic growth

The Queen has set out the government’s priorities for the next year in her annual parliamentary address.

The Queen’s Speech, which took place this morning (May 11), officially marks the beginning of Parliament’s session and sets out the laws and bills expected to be passed this year.

Among the points highlighted today, the Queen announced plans to support jobs, businesses and economic growth across the country.

The key points of today’s speech are below.

• During the year, the government will invest in and improve national infrastructure.

• Ministers will invest in new green industries to help create green jobs.

• Legislation (the Skills and Post-16 Education Bill) will be introduced to support a lifetime skills guarantee, allowing adult learners to access education and training.

• New legislation will be introduced to make procurement easier for businesses.

• Also announced in the speech is a new Planning Bill, which will overhaul the construction sector’s planning system.

• A Building Safety Regulator is also set to be introduced, mentioned in 2019’s Queen’s Speech - this comes in response to the Grenfell Tower incident in 2017.

• Eight new Freeports - already revealed in the Chancellor’s speech earlier this year - will be introduced across the UK.

• The government will assist more people with owning their own homes, and will enhance rights for renters.

• A High Speed Rail Bill will be brought forward to “transform” connectivity by rail and bus, and 5G mobile coverage and high gigabit broadband coverage will be extended.

• Additional funding will be introduced for the NHS and legislation will be brought forward to allow the organisation to innovate and embrace technology.

• Proposals on social care reform will also be brought forward.

Along with the business and industrial measures, the Queen announced plans to reduce bureacracy in volunteering and charity, increase animal rights, and improve internet safety.

Socially, the government will address racial and ethnic discrimination, provide humanitarian aid and ban conversion therapy, as well as introducing a new requirement for voters to produce identification when voting.

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