The Queen’s Speech sets out Labour’s next steps in Building Britain’s Future. That’s the verdict of Andrew Gwynne MP. He says the 13 Bills announced by the Queen represent legislation on the big issues that matter to people:

Andrew said:

“In line with this Government’s core values of fairness and responsibility, our focus, as ever, is economic, environmental and social well-being for our country and all its citizens.

“At its heart is the conviction that government can be a force for good - to secure economic prosperity and build a fairer society. Not small government or big government, but smarter government, reforming parliament and making our politics more responsive.

“This is a difficult period for our country, but I am optimistic for us. Britain has a bright future, not of austerity but progress, based on the country’s greatest strength: the talent and enterprise of all our people.

“A more sustainable future means that never again should the failure of just one sector cause such a disastrous recession to our entire economy. This means that we will have to ensure that the banks are properly controlled and that they serve the best interests of Britain’s families and businesses. So we will rebuild banking so that it supports the economy and offers fairer finances for businesses and consumers.

“Through the Financial Services Bill, banks themselves and not the taxpayer will be made to pay for bank failings. Part of this is about ensuring we have a tough supervisory regime, including a power to allow the Financial Services Authority to tear up future contracts which do not comply with the rules on bonuses and a requirement for banks to organise themselves to deal with possible future difficulties – so called ‘living wills’.

“The Energy Bill will bring about a financial support mechanism to demonstrate carbon capture and storage at a commercial scale. It will also establish a mandatory social price support scheme to help more of the most vulnerable households with their energy bills, and requires the regulator, Ofgem, to ensure consumers get a better, fairer deal and access to secure, low carbon energy supplies.”