The new Government has set out its agenda for a two-year Parliamentary session in the Queen’s Speech on 21 June 2017, in which Her Majesty stated that, “My ministers are committed to working with Parliament, the devolved administrations, business and others to build the widest possible consensus on the country’s future outside the European Union.”
A bill will be introduced to repeal the European Communities Act and transpose EU law in order to “provide certainty for individuals and businesses”. This will be followed by new national policies on immigration, international sanctions, nuclear safeguards, agriculture, and fisheries. New bills on trade and customs would also be introduced “to help British businesses export to markets around the world”.
On domestic matters, some specific announcements are of particular interest to Sustain and alliance members:
- The National Living Wage will be increased so that people who are on the lowest pay benefit from the same improvements in earnings as higher paid workers
- Ministers “will seek to enhance rights and protections in the modern workplace”
- The Government will “lead efforts” to reform the international system to “alleviate poverty, and end modern slavery”
- The Government will continue to support international action against climate change, including the implementation of the Paris Agreement.
Prior to the result of the General Election, the Conservative Party Manifesto had committed to dropping Universal Infant Free School Meals, in favour of free breakfasts for young children - apparently cheaper due the likelihood of low uptake but not factoring in additional staffing costs. After vociferous protest from leader of the School Food Plan Henry Dimbleby; school food campaigner Jamie Oliver; Sustain’s Children’s Food Campaign and many others, this retrograde policy shift is notable by its absence from the Queen’s Speech. Universal Infant Free School Meals have been saved by the bell!
Read the full Queen’s Speech on the Gov.UK website.
Good Food Trade Campaign: Campaigning for good trade that benefits people and the planet at home and overseas.
