Queen's Speech

The Government set out its priorities for the next parliamentary session in the Queen's Speech today. There is an interesting briefing on it here. A very interesting video is also available.

The Government has clearly put building Britain's future at the heart of its programme. This package will lead to smarter, reformed and responsive government.

I am particularly pleased to see measures aimed at ending child poverty in this country by 2020. The bill to ban the use, production and transfer of cluster munitions is one that I welcome. The Energy Bill will protect the most vulnerable against rising energy prices and will develop low carbon energy and industry via the development of carbon capture and storage.

The Financial Services Bill will reform financial services to give consumers more protection and empower the Financial Services Authority and the Government to introduce tougher regulation of banks and their risky practices to protect the taxpayer.

I also think that the draft bills on House of Lords Reform and on International Development are to be welcomed. I support an elected second chamber and I have long worked for more progress toward the international commitment to spend 0.7% of gross national income on development assistance from 2013.