Prince Charles read the Queen's Speech today - here's what was in it
The speech is part of the State Opening of Parliament
Last updated 29th May 2022
The Government has set out its plans for the next year in the Queen's Speech at the State Opening of Parliament.
The agenda-setting speech was read by Prince Charles for the first time after Buckingham Palace announced that the Queen would miss the speech for the first time in almost 60 years due to mobility issues.
Prince William will also attend the State Opening after the 96-year-old monarch delegated the royal function of opening a new parliament delegated to both Charles and William.
What is the Queen's Speech and who writes it?
The Queen's speech outlines what the government is aiming to achieve over the next session of Parliament and what their priorities are going to be.
It is written not by the Queen but by Boris Johnson and the government and often sets out any new laws they will bring in.
What was in the Queen's speech?
In all, the speech included 38 Bills, including seven measures scrapping EU regulation.
The Prince of Wales said the Government’s priority is to “grow and strengthen the economy and help ease the cost of living for families”.
“Her Majesty's Government will level up opportunity in all parts of the country and support more people into work,” he said.
Standing in for the Queen, Charles told Parliament: “Her Majesty’s Government will drive economic growth to improve living standards and fund sustainable investment in public services.
Here are some of the main points from today's speech.
Crackdown on 'guerilla protests'
The speech included a new crackdown on “guerrilla protests” with jail sentences of up to six months and unlimited fines for those who glue themselves to roads or “lock on” to public transport infrastructure.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said the measures were necessary to prevent protest groups like Insulate Britain and Extinction Rebellion from bringing the country to “a grinding halt”.
Ministers had originally tried to introduce them through the now-passed Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, but were blocked by the House of Lords.
Levelling up
The Prince of Wales said legislation will reform the planning system to give residents more involvement in local development.
Charles added: “A Bill will be brought forward to drive local growth, empowering local leaders to regenerate their areas, and ensuring everyone can share in the United Kingdom’s success.”
Transport Bill
Legislation in the form of a Transport Bill will be introduced to “modernise rail services and improve reliability for passengers”, the Prince of Wales said.
New laws will “deliver the transition to cheaper, cleaner, and more secure energy”, building on the success of the Cop26 climate summit.
Seven measures scrapping EU regulation
The Government “will continue to seize the opportunities of the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union, to support economic growth”, the Prince of Wales told Parliament.
The data protection regime will be reformed and the financial services industry will be strengthened, Charles said.
Laws would also be introduced to implement the UK’s first free trade agreements since Brexit, he added.
Schools and education
In the speech the Prince said “Reforms to education will help every child fulfil their potential wherever they live, raising standards and improving the quality of schools and higher education.
It's thought the Schools bill will crack down on truancy, beef up the powers of education watchdogs and shake up the funding system.
Energy Bill
An Energy Security Bill was included in the speech, seeking to transition to cheaper and greener energy while aiming to minimise fluctuating bills, including by extending the price cap beyond 2023.
Border crossings
The Prince of Wales said the Government would take action to prevent “dangerous and illegal Channel crossings” and tackle the criminal gangs who profit from the journeys.
The Government will “lead the way in championing security around the world”, working with Nato and addressing the “most pressing global security challenges”.
Ban on conversion therapy & other commitments
The Queen’s Speech also contained measures to improve the regulation of social housing.
A ban on conversion therapy and a promise to establish an independent regulator for English football were also commitments made in the speech, delivered in Parliament by the Prince of Wales.
Measures to establish a UK Infrastructure Bank were also announced, with a capability of £22 billion to spend on measures to support the delivery of net zero emissions by 2050, grow the economy and address regional inequality.
The sell-off of Channel 4 will be enabled by the Media Bill.
The Prime Minister promises to help
Boris Johnson warned the Government could not “completely shield” people from the rising cost of living as he promised plans to get the country “back on track” following the Covid-19 pandemic.
“After two years of Covid-19, I know that the last thing people need are further challenges. I know people are struggling with their bills, and that they are anxious about the future,” Mr Johnson said.
“But we will get the country through it just as we got through Covid-19, with every ounce of ingenuity and compassion and hard work.
“While we must keep our public finances on a sustainable footing – and we cannot completely shield people from the fallout from global events – where we can help, we will.
“And over the coming months we will continue examining what more we can do to ease the pressures on hard-working people and families.”
Mr Johnson said the “aftershocks of Covid-19 and the biggest war in Europe since 1945” were causing disruption around the world, with all major economies facing cost-of-living pressures.
“No country is immune and no government can realistically shield everyone from the impact,” Mr Johnson said.
“It is right that we continue doing whatever we can to ease the burdens people are grappling with now, supporting the hardest-hit with £22 billion of help to address the cost of living and cutting hundreds of pounds off household bills.
“But we must also remember that for every pound of taxpayers’ money we spend on reducing bills now, it is a pound we are not investing in bringing down bills and prices over the longer term.
“And that if anything, this moment makes clear our best remedy lies in urgently delivering on our mission to turbo-charge the economy, create jobs and spread opportunity across the country.”
He said the Government’s “top priorities” were growing the economy, making streets safe and supporting the NHS to clear the backlogs built up during the pandemic.