Summary

  • The Queen has delivered her speech setting out the government's plans for the year ahead

  • An EU referendum, a tax freeze and an extension of right-to-buy were included

  • David Cameron said the speech was a "clear vision for what our country can be"

  • Labour's Harriet Harman attacked proposals to give housing association tenants the right to buy their homes as "uncosted, unfunded and unworkable"

  • The SNP said it was "the only real opposition to the Tories in Westminster"

  • Sources confirmed Tony Blair is to stand down from his role as Middle East envoy representing the US, Russia, the UN and the EU

Live Reporting

Tom Moseley, Nick Eardley and Natalie Miller

  1. 'UK gave £800m in aid to Syria'

    BBC Political correspondent

  2. SNP 'will stand firm'

    SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson says Scotland has been "tied to the wrong priorities" in today's Queen's Speech. 

    Despite Scotland rejecting the Tories agenda completely, we are tied to the wrong priorities - on austerity, Trident, and much more.

    The SNP in Westminster will stand firm against the relentless drive of Tory austerity, and their proposals to slash social security spending by removing benefits from young people and freezing benefits for working families. Scotland did not vote for these cuts and we will work with others across parliament to prevent them."

  3. Hubbub

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    The Commons chamber is incredibly noisy this afternoon as MPs anticipate the first skirmish at the dispatch box between the Prime Minister and the acting leader of the opposition, Harriet Harman. 

  4. 'EVEL by standing order'

    MP for Perth and North Perthshire tweets

  5. Skinner too busy with SNP to heckle

    You might have noticed Labour MP Dennis Skinner missed out his customary Queen's Speech heckle today when Black Rod summoned the Commons. He's told the Telegraph he was busy making sure the SNP didn't take his seat. 

    I was engaged in an activity today to ensure that the Scot Nats weren’t going to take over that front bench. You have to get up very early in the morning to do it. I was up at just after 6 o’clock and I had to do it yesterday."

  6. Spectator front page

  7. Final MPs swear in

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    The House of Commons sits from 2.15pm today and first item of business is the final round of swearing in.

    It's the last chance for members to take the oath or solemn affirmation of parliamentary service before they debate the Queen's Speech.

    First up, Conservative MP David Davis.

  8. CBI reaction

    Here's what the business group's deputy director general, Katja Hall, has to say:

    This is a jam-packed Queen’s Speech, with a strong focus on stepping up a gear on the economic recovery - locking in growth, creating jobs and boosting investment right across the country. With the starting gun on the European Union debate having been fired, the government must be careful not to let it overshadow the rest of its programme."

  9. Redwood wishes Cameron well

    BBC News Channel

    John Redwood

    Eurosceptic Conservative MP John Redwood says he wishes David Cameron well in his attempts to change Britain's relationship with Europe. He adds: 

    If there's nothing good on offer, I will vote for out."

  10. Protection for homeless

    Crisis, the homelessness charity, says cuts to housing benefit for 18 to 21-year-olds "could spell disaster for thousands of young people". 

    Reacting to the Queen's Speech, chief executive Jon Sparkes said:

    Ministers claim they will protect those with nowhere else to go, but the truth is that it's very difficult to tell which young people are completely out of options until it's too late. That's why we're urging the government to make sure all those who can't live with their parents and are at risk of homelessness are protected."

  11. Childcare increase welcomed

    The Family and Childcare Trust has welcomed the expansion of free nursery places outlined in the Queen's Speech. Stephen Dunmore, the group's interim chief executive, said:

    This is really good news for working parents in England whose childcare costs will reduce significantly after their children pass their third birthday."

  12. 'Important to education'

    Head of Policy at Pearson tweets

  13. 'Opening speech to include Essex references'

    Jim Pickard of the Financial Times tweets

  14. 'Thoroughly retrograde' step

    The World at One
    BBC Radio 4

    The SNP's Joanna Cherry, a QC, says the Conservative Party has a "disturbing agenda" in relation to civil liberties and human rights. She says the UK withdrawing from the European Council would be a "thoroughly retrograde" step. 

  15. Councils respond to Queen's Speech

    David Sparks, Chair of the Local Government Association, said:

    The Cities Devolution Bill is great news for our larger cities but we want to make sure the benefits of devolution reach all corners of England. Making decisions at a more local level will bring about huge economic and social benefits and with non-metropolitan England responsible for 56% of economic output the case for wider devolution is clear.

  16. 'Backing business to create jobs'

    Secretary of State for Business, Innovation & Skills tweets

  17. 'Against working people'

    Trades Union Congress media tweets

  18. 'Strengthen relations'

    On the subject of devolution, Institute For Government director Peter Riddell adds:

    The four proposed devolution bills present large constitutional challenges, not only in the nations and regions affected but also for the government of the UK as a whole. There is not going to be one solution for the whole of the UK, but the changes need to be coherent and consistent. The Institute for Government has stressed the need to strengthen relations between the various governments of the UK."

  19. 'Time to get on and deliver'

    Conservative MP for Norwich North tweets

  20. Salmond in Parliament

    Alex SlamondPA

    SNP MP Alex Salmond arriving for the State Opening of Parliament earlier.