Gordon Brown's first Queen's Speech as Prime Minister set out a substantial and in some cases controversial programme of 28 Bills and draft Bills for the next Parliamentary year. I am particularly pleased that there are measures on the improvement of public services and on social policy that will directly benefit many people in this borough.
The Education and Skills Bill will ensure all 17 and 18-year-olds have appropriate education or training opportunities. Despite the fall in unemployment and rise in qualifications there are too many young people who are Neets (not in education, employment or training). The Children and Young Persons Bill sets out a complete package for children in care to redress poor standards of education and safeguard their interests. Of relevance to those in housing need locally is the Housing and Regeneration Bill, which aims to ensure new homes are genuinely affordable and of a good standard for both first time buyers and families in overcrowded conditions.
The issue I get lobbied on most after housing is the environment, and there are a raft of bills designed to tackle the effect of global warming and loss of natural resources. The Climate Change Bill will require a 60 per cent cut in CO2 emissions by 2050. I met Ealing Friends of the Earth this week who welcomed the Bill - while saying it needs to go further. I hope they are also pleased with the Energy Bill which promotes carbon capture and the use of renewables. I hope we will also see a Marine Bill - currently in draft only - to protect marine resources and also promote offshore wave and wind power technology.
There will inevitably be some big political battles - and I look forward to receiving constituents' comments on proposals to strengthen anti-terror laws, the EU treaty, extension of embryo research and expanding Parliament's control over Government.
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