What’s Inside the Queen’s Speech? 21 Bills for 2016

Queen Elizabeth II. PA

For the first time in her reign, Queen Elizabeth II avoided the stairs at the Sovereign’s entrance and instead took the lift due to knee problems.

This year’s speech the 21 Bills, which according to Mirror seem to be Prime Minister DavidCameron’s way of avoiding controversy.

Here are the 21 bills (and a little explanation of what they are) that the Conservative government will prioritize this year:


1. Digital Economy Bill - Porn sites will have to verify users' ages to "protect children from online pornography".

2. Modern Transport Bill -  Provides the 'framework' for Britain's first spaceport although it is not yet known where it will be.

3. Neighbourhood Planning and Infrastructure Bill  - The Land Registry will become private to cut national debt.

4. Local Growth and Jobs Bill - Business rates won’t be shared across the country anymore. Councils will have to raise them locally though.

5. Better Markets Bill – Ensures that firms will have faster switching between providers and provide "more protection when things go wrong".

6. Bus Services Bill - Bus firms will have to make available to app developers their fare rate, routes and times open.

7. NHS (Overseas Visitors Charging) Bill - Migrants will have to pay their fare share on housing.

8. Pensions Bill – Pensioners have more control on how they spend their pensions.

9. Children and Social Work Bill - Councils have to ensure that child care should include guaranteed housing.

10. Education For All Bill - Schools in worst-performing council areas will still be forced out of council control.

11. Higher Education and Research Bill – Facebook, Google or even start-up firms will have the freedom to open their own universities.

12. Prison and Courts Reform Bill - Prisons won’t be under the government control anymore.

13. National Citizen Service Bill - the Tories' flagship National Citizen Service programme.

14. Lifetime Savings Bill - Workers who save £50 a month will enjoy a 50% bonus of up to £600 after two years (and another after four years).

15. Finance Bill – This is the Budget document but gets a special mention from the Queen because it highlights the 'Soft Drinks Industry Levy', aka sugar tax.

16. Small Charitable Donations Bill - Smaller charities may claim 25% bonus from bucket collections, especially if individuals have not signed to say they're eligible.

17. Bill of Rights - Human Rights Act will be "revised" and consulted on fully by Parliament.

18. Counter-Extremism and Safeguarding Bill – A bill that would hit hate preachers to prevent youngsters from getting brain washed. 

19. Criminal Finances Bill – a bid against tax evasion since firms will be criminally liable if they do not stop their staff from facilitating illegal activity.

20. Cultural Property (Armed Conflicts) Bill - British soldiers may be charged if they damage ancient sites during war.

21. Wales Bill  - The Welsh Assembly will be given “control over its own affairs, including what it should be called, its size, electoral system and voting age.”

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