Queen's Speech 2021: Key points at-a-glance
- Published
The Queen has outlined the government's priorities for the year ahead, as she officially reopened Parliament.
In a ten-minute speech in the House of Lords, she highlighted 30 laws that ministers intend to pass in the coming year.
This includes a number of bills carried over from the previous "session" of Parliament, which ended in April.
It also includes a number of bills included in past Queen's Speeches. Here is a summary of the main points.
Infrastructure and 'levelling up'
Armed forces
- Legacy legislation will deal with legacy issues from the Troubles in Northern Ireland, including restrictions on future prosecutions of British soldiers
- Government support for veterans will be outlined in a Armed Forces Bill, putting the so-called Armed Forces Covenant into law
Borders and security
Constitutional reform
Housing
- A long-awaited Planning Bill will introduce changes to the planning system in England, including a controversial zoning system
- A new system for regulating the safety of high-rise buildings, and inspecting construction sites, will be set out in the Building Safety Bill
Education
- A Skills and Post-16 Education Bill will introduce a new "flexible loan" system designed to promote wider participation in further education in England
- A Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill will place new legal duties on students' unions and universities in England to ensure free speech on campus
Environment and animal welfare
What else was referenced in the speech?
The speech set out plans for a consultation on introducing a legal ban on so-called gay conversion therapy in England and Wales.
A document accompanying the speech says this will ensure action taken to stamp out the practice does not have "unintended consequences".
Ministers have pledged to ensure medical professionals and religious leaders can continue having "open and honest conversations with people".
The speech also said the government would be introducing measures to reduce racial and ethnic disparities.
It follows the publication of a government-commissioned race report earlier this year, which was heavily criticised by equality campaigner.
What wasn't in the speech?
The speech said the government would bring forward measures to reform the operation of the social care system in England.
But it did not commit the government to introducing a specific bill to overhaul how the sector is funded.
Reports suggest that discussions are ongoing within government about the potential cost of changes, which could run into the billions.
The lack of a new bill in the speech has been criticised by opposition politicians and care groups.