A Commons Library briefing on the financial resilience of local authorities.
Documents to download
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Queen's Speech 2016 (1 MB, PDF)
The Queen’s Speech at the beginning of the 2016-17 Session will take place on Wednesday 18 May 2016.
The State Opening of Parliament marks the beginning of the parliamentary session. Its main purpose is for the monarch formally to open Parliament and, in the Queen’s Speech, deliver an outline of the Government’s proposed policies and legislation for the coming session of Parliament.
This note identifies issues and bills that may appear in the Queen’s Speech. Section 2 reviews legislation that has already been introduced and carried over; has been published, or is expected to be published, in draft, in the current Session; was announced in the Queen’s Speech in May 2015, but has not been proceeded with so far; or was previously published in draft (draft bills that have subsequently been introduced and carried over are recorded twice). Section 3 reports statements or press speculation indicating that a particular issue is likely to be the subject of future legislation.
Bills in progress
The following bills are being carried over from the 2015-16 Session:
- Policing and Crime Bill 2015-16;
- Investigatory Powers Bill 2015-16;
- High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Bill 2015-16 (hybrid bill); and
- Finance (No 2) Bill 2015-16.
Three draft bills were published in 2015-16:
- Draft Investigatory Powers Bill – the Bill was introduced and carried over;
- Draft Wales Bill; and
- Draft Energy Bill.
Three bills were announced in the May 2015 Queen’s Speech but not introduced. Legislation in these areas is still expected by ministers:
- Buses;
- Extremism; and
- Votes for Life.
A draft bill Public Service Ombudsman Bill and proposals for a British Bill of Rights were both announced but neither were published.
Potential subjects of legislation
The following issues are potential subjects of legislation:
- Schools policy
- Academies schools
- School funding reform
- Careers advice
- Higher Education
- Adoption
- Homelessness
- Guardianship
- Civil registration: Mother’s details on marriage certificates
- Combatting tax evasion
- Chief Executive of the Financial Conduct Authority
- Planning matters
- Compulsory purchase
- Garden Cities, Towns and Villages
- Planning conditions
- National Infrastructure Commission
- Railways
- Privatisation of the Land Registry
- Local Government Finance
- Electoral administration
- Digital Economy Bill
- NHS charges for overseas voters
- Wildlife (Law Commission Bill)
- Prisons (draft legislation)
- Legislation to implement the Strathclyde Review
- Anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist finance
Documents to download
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Queen's Speech 2016 (1 MB, PDF)
Related posts
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This paper provides details and links for ministerial statements and parliamentary debates (from both Houses of Parliament) that cover international affairs and defence.
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As of March 2019, 295 public bodies were in operation across the UK government. Most public bodies within the United Kingdom are established and operated by the government, with varying levels of autonomy and ministerial responsibility according to their classification. Brexit means that many functions previously carried out by EU agencies will become the responsibility of existing UK bodies. A number of new public bodies are also being created to manage additional responsibilities after EU exit.
