Government reveals package of 24 new parliamentary bills in Queen's Speech

The Queen announced the coalition government’s package of 24 new bills today, including a draft bill on reforming parliamentary privilege, at the state opening of parliament.

Of particular significance to Probate professionals is the announcement of a National Insurance contributions bill, which promises to raise individual income tax allowances by raising NI contributions, and the Pensions and Savings bill, which will restore the link between earnings and the basic state pension.

Along side the priority Financial Services bill, introduced to deal with the deficit and revive economic growth, other significant proposed legislation includes a European Union bill, promising a referendum on the approval of any future treaties which hand powers to the EU, and an Academies Bill, giving schools power to opt out of local authority control. In line with Liberal Democrat manifesto proposals, the Queen also announced two separate civil liberties bills, the Freedom Bill, and Identity Documents bill, which will repeal previous Labour legislation regarding surveillance and anti-terror legislation, and see the scrapping of ID cards and the national identity database. Law Society President Robert Heslett said the society welcomed these bills in particular.

To read more on Robert Heslett's response to the Queen's Speech, click here.