The Island’s MP, Andrew Turner, has said that the Queen’s Speech to formally open Parliament earlier this week will help to ensure that anyone who is prepared to work will get on in life, whilst at the same time supporting those who cannot do so.
On Wednesday Her Majesty said that the Government would represent all parts of the United Kingdom, ensuring work always pays, promoting financial security and aspiration, and giving new opportunities to the most disadvantaged.
The speech included the promise of an EU referendum before the end of 2017, measures to help working parents by extending free childcare, an assurance that people working 30 hours on the national minimum wage will not pay tax and a law blocking any rise in either national insurance, income tax or VAT.
Legislation was promised on further devolution to Scotland and fairer procedures for English MPs in the House of Commons. The introduction of an extremism bill, sets out to prevent extremists from promoting views which undermine British values.
Andrew Turner said:
“The Government, over the last five years, has done a good job in starting to turn the economy round, although we all know there is still much to do.
“Many of the measures included in the speech will help to ensure that anyone who is prepared to work will get on in life, whilst at the same time supporting those who cannot do so.
Article continues below this advertisement “I’m very pleased that, as a majority government, we can now push ahead with further devolved powers for Scotland and, for fairness, English Votes for English Laws. That will bring in a system by which English MPs alone will make decisions on matters affecting only England. And, of course we now have the promise of an EU referendum before the end of 2017, which is, I know, very important to many people.”
