Below are only some of the legislative plans coming from the Queen's speech. I have only included the ones that would have some impact on Northern Ireland.
The focus, strangely enough, is on the economy.
Interestingly there is the Digital Economy Bill which will 'deliver' universal broadband access by 2012, a review of communications infrastructure every two years and the much talked about regulation to tackle illegal file sharing.
There is also a proposed bill to ban cluster munitions (Cluster munitions are large weapons deployed from the air and from the ground releasing dozens or hundreds of smaller submunitions, referred to as “bomblets” or “grenades.”)
I find the Bill on Bribery interesting, introducing a new range of bribery offences, including bribery of foreign officials to retain business. Hmmm, so will this affect government bodies set up to bank roll inward investment?? Are 'incentives' not a type of bribery? Not that i don't mind incentivising inward investment, but the Bill will have to be very clear on what it does.
What do you think?
JOBS (UK)
People under 25 unemployed for a year will be guaranteed the offer of a job or training. In return they will face having their benefits cut or taken away if those offers are refused. £150m innovation fund to invest and create jobs in bio-technology, life sciences and high-tech manufacturing.
CONSTITUTIONAL RENEWAL BILL (UK)
Legislation to remove remaining hereditary peers in Lords. Powers to disqualify peers guilty of misconduct. Repeals ban on protests around Parliament. Separate draft proposal to reduce size of Lords and to "democratically constitute" the chamber.
ENERGY BILL (UK)
New market incentives to support carbon capture storage technology projects.
DIGITAL ECONOMY BILL (UK)
Universal broadband access by 2012. Review of communications infrastructure every two years. Regulation to tackle illegal file sharing. Statutory age-based classification system for computer games.
FINANCIAL SERVICES AND BUSINESS BILL (UK)
Strengthening financial regulation, including new powers for the Financial Services Authority (FSA) to ensure financial stability. Ban on unsolicited credit card cheques. New national money guidance service.
CLUSTER MUNITIONS BILL (UK)
Ban the production, development, sale, use and transfer of cluster munitions in line with treaty obligations.
CHILD POVERTY BILL (UK)
Make the government's pledge to end child poverty by 2020 a legal obligation. New targets to define progress towards goal with a three-year policy update.
BRIBERY BILL (ENGLAND, WALES AND NORTHERN IRELAND)
New range of bribery offences, including bribery of foreign officials to retain business.
DRAFT BILLS FOR IMPLEMENTATION AFTER ELECTION
House of Lords Reform Bill: reducing size of second chamber and introducing democratic element
Immigration Simplification Bill: streamlining existing immigration legislation
Civil Law Reform Bill: updating existing laws
Animal Health and Responsibility and Cost Sharing Bill: cost-sharing for animal disease control
