This year's King's Speech, the second of the current government's, aims to 'build a stronger and fairer Britain'.
35 bills and draft bills have been outlined under four headings:
- Strengthening Our Economic Secuirty
- Strengthening Public Services and Reforming the State
- Strengthening Our Energy Security
- Strengthening Our National Security
A full list can be found here. Of particular relevance to VODG members will be the:
- NHS Modernisation Bill*
- Education for All Bill
- Social Housing Renewal Bill
- Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill
- Representation of the People Bill
- Police Reform Bill
- Courts Modernisation Bill
- Draft Conversion Practices Bill
- Railways and Passenger Benefits Bill
- Immigration and Asylum Bill
- Cyber Secuirty and Rescillience Bill
Amongst others, there are also bills on public office accountability, energy independence, competition reform and regulating for growth which will also be of interest.
* The NHS Modernation Bill | Key measures include:
- Creating a new Single Patient Record to enable joined-up care and empower patients through the NHS App
- Transferring NHS England’s functions into the Department of Health and Social Care to cut bureaucracy and restore democratic accountability
- Strengthening local accountability through Integrated Care Boards
- Streamlining the patient safety landscape
- Embedding patient voice in national decision-making through a new Patient Experience Directorate in DHSC
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UPDATED: Both Houses of Parliament will now debate the King’s Speech over the next few sitting days before a vote is taken at the end. The Speaker has announced that the subjects for each day of debate are as follows in the Commons:
Commons
- Wednesday 13 May: Debate on the address
- Thursday 14 May: Getting Britain working again
- Monday 18 May: Backing business to create economic growth
- Tuesday 19 May: Energy security
- Wednesday 20 May: Defence readiness
Lords
- Wednesday 13 May: Debate on the address
- Thursday 14 May: economic growth, trade, and EU partnership
- Monday 18 May: justice, home affairs, and the union.
- Tuesday 19 May: education, culture, technology, and energy security
- Wednesday 20 May: health, housing, and transport
- Thursday 21 May: foreign affairs, international relations, and defence
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VODG will monitor the detail of forthcoming legislation and will work with members on relevant Bills through our policy and public affairs network. We plan to focus on the King's Speech and engagement with the legislative process at our next meeting. All policy and public afairs colleagues within VODG member organisations are welcome to join. Details can be found here.