Nick Triggle
Health Correspondent

Ministers and campaigners have been united in their belief that the current mental health legislation is outdated - and the draft mental health bill announced in the Queen's Speech is an attempt to modernise the laws that were established nearly 40 years ago.

The aim is to reduce the number of people who are detained, after a 40% jump in detentions in 10 years.

In particular, there was concern about the use of detention for people with learning disabilities and autism who can be detained under the 1983 Mental Health Act even if they do not have a mental health condition.

An independent review of the 1983 act published four years ago recommended rebalancing the threshold for detention, weighing up both the risk to the public and the therapeutic benefit to the patient.

The draft legislation is expected to look to strengthen the rights of patients to express a treatment preference and set out a plan for each individual’s care, providing them with a route to eventual discharge.

One thing we’re hearing plenty about today is "levelling up", one of Boris Johnson’s most-used phrases. The government describes this as “ending geographical disparities by giving everyone the opportunity to harness their ability and flourish”.

Previous announcements linked with levelling up have included measures to regenerate high streets, giving local authorities more control over transport and investment, and the creation of a UK Infrastructure Bank, based in Leeds.

Levelling up was a key theme of the Conservatives' 2019 election manifesto and the detailed plans were unveiled in February 2022. Its policies are to be achieved by 2030.

Michael Gove was also appointed Secretary of State for Levelling Up.

But what else does levelling up involve, and how is the government doing on its pledge? Read more here.

In non-Queen's Speech news, the prime minister is due to travel to Finland and Sweden on Wednesday, Downing Street has announced.

Boris Johnson will give a news conference in each country, travelling to Sweden first before going on to Finland and returning to the UK.

The visit is expected to focus on the war in Ukraine as well as "the broader security of Europe," the prime minister's official spokesman said.

Asked whether the two countries' possible membership of NATO would be discussed, the spokesman said, "We support democratic capabilities to decide on things like NATO membership."

The PM is not missing Prime Minister's Questions - that does not normally take place after a Queen's Speech.

Image source, Getty Images

Ros Bragg, director of maternity rights charity Maternity Action, sasy she is "deeply disappointed and frustrated" that the Employment Bill did not feature in the Queen's Speech.

She says pregnant women and new mothers needed "urgent legal protections from unfair redundancies", which she says had "dramatically increased" since the coronavirus pandemic.

She called on ministers to adopt the bill put forward by former cabinet minister Maria Miller, who has proposed legalisation to prevent firms from sacking women during pregnancy or six months afterwards.

"We'd also urge strengthening legal protections for insecure workers - who are predominantly women, and who are currently bearing the brunt of the poverty crisis," Ms Bragg adds.

"Ministers have promised women stronger legal protection, and they now need to urgently deliver on that promise."

Read more: Backlash as workers' rights left out of Queen's Speech

Plans to legislate for recognising the Irish language in Northern Ireland are part of the Queen's speech.

The proposals include an Office of Identity and Cultural Expression to promote respect for diversity, as well as an Irish Language Commissioner and a commissioner to develop language, arts and literature.

Earlier this year, campaigners said that they walked out of a meeting with Northern Ireland Minister Conor Burns, citing a lack of clarity on when legislation would be brought forward.

Irish language lobby group Conradh na Gaeilge has reacted cautiously to the announcement, saying the government has been here "many, many times before," and called for a date for delivery.

Image source, PA Media

A former Conservative MP - and ex-chief of staff in No 10 - is criticising the government for "a lack of action" over rising living costs.

Gavin Barwell, who ran Downing Street for Theresa May (and has had few qualms with criticising her successor) writes on Twitter, external that there is "lots to like in the Queen's Speech".

He even points to the ban on no fault evictions as "a personal highlight".

But like Labour's Angela Rayner, he calls the lack of an employment bill a "disappointing omission", before adding: "It's biggest flaw is lack of action on the cost of living.

"Both morally and politically the government needs to do more."

Dominic Casciani
Legal Correspondent

The government’s promise of a Bill of Rights (notwithstanding the pedantic point that one already exists - it was passed in 1689, external) is being sold as a “rebalancing of powers” between Parliament and judges. Ministers say the measure is necessary to make sure that a “rights culture” is subject to what Parliament wants.

Here’s the problem: lots of experts aren’t convinced it’s even needed.

Back in 2012, the then Conservative/Lib Dem government abandoned a Bill of Rights after its own commission couldn’t agree on any reasons why they should bother.

Critics say today’s proposals seemingly repeat law that already exists.

For instance, the legislation promises to allow judges to ignore rulings from the European Court of Human Rights if they think a British solution is better. But judges can do that already - most famously in 2012 when they told Europe we would not change our laws on whole life sentences.

Critics say the real aim is to erode the power of courts to uphold human rights rulings against poor decision-making by governments.

Expect a big political and legal battle over the legislation.

Image source, Reuters

Labour's deputy leader is accusing Boris Johnson of "failing Britain's workers yet again" over a lack on an employment bill in the Queen's Speech.

Angela Rayner says it has been three years since the Tories first announced it would bring forward legislation to tackle working conditions in warehouses, which she says are "run like Victorian workhouses".

But instead, she claims there are just "more broken promises" from the PM.

Rayner adds: "After the scandal of P&O, action for fair work is needed now more than ever, but instead the government is fobbing off working people."

"This prime minister promised enhanced rights and protections at work, but instead he is dragging Britain's workers into a race to the bottom."

Reality Check

The Queen's Speech re-emphasized the government’s commitment to “transition to cheaper, cleaner and more secure energy”.

The government wants nuclear energy to play a prominent role in this. The Energy Bill formalises the Energy Security Strategy, published earlier this year, which has a target to produce 25% of the UK’s electricity from nuclear power by 2050.

But the Energy Bill also promises “a cost-effective clean-up of the UK's legacy nuclear sites”.

The UK is currently closing down 17 plants at the end of their life, but has struggled to control spending.

In 2020, the Public Accounts Committee called the UK's approach to decommissioning its first-generation nuclear power plants a "sorry saga". This was after the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) - which is responsible for this - reported it could cost £132bn, and take 120 years.

It is hoped the next round of decommissioning, which will take seven of the UK's second generator reactors offline from 2028, will be cheaper.

Reality Check

Consumers have faced rapidly rising energy bills over the last year as global gas prices fluctuate.

The Energy Bill does acknowledge this but there are few additional measures to help tackle these rising costs.

The bill is focused more on long-term energy security than reducing the current pressure on household bills.

There was a promise to extend the price cap - which limits the price energy companies can charge for energy – beyond 2023. But the price cap itself still rises to reflect the market.

In April when the cap rose, those on standard tariffs saw the price of an average annual energy bill increase by £693, external, and in October the cap is expected to be reviewed and increased again.

HS2 - specifically the section between Crewe and Manchester - is also included in today’s legislative proposals.

A new bill will provide the powers to build and operate this part of the new high-speed rail link, which is already under construction in many areas.

These powers including the compulsory purchase of any land that is needed.

Two new stations are planned, at Manchester Airport and next to the existing Manchester Piccadilly station.

Services are expected to start between 2035 and 2041.

Read more on HS2’s route, costs and timings here.

Katy Austin
Transport Correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Transport was featured heavily in the Queen's Speech.

The Prince of Wales said the government would “improve transport across the United Kingdom, delivering safer, cleaner services and enabling more innovations” and that there would be legislation “to modernise rail services and improve reliability for passengers”.

In May last year, the biggest change to how the railways are run in decades was announced. This involves bringing operations together under one body called Great British Railways, owned by the state. It will set timetables and prices, sell tickets in England and manage rail infrastructure.

The Bill is a significant step in the planned overhaul becoming reality. It will give GBR contracting powers for passenger services, and give the body the powers it needs to assume overall control.

The Rail Delivery Group, which currently represents train companies, says the new legislation is an important milestone. But it argues private operators still need the “contractual freedom” to innovate in a way they say meets customers’ needs.

The Transport Bill is not all about trains.

Other features include new laws aimed at enabling the safe introduction of self-driving vehicles, and enabling more electric car charge points to be installed. Having enough charge points to meet rising demand for electric vehicles is a big challenge.

Housing charity Shelter, which has fought a long campaign for an end to "no fault" evictions, is pleased to see the measure included in the Queen's Speech.

It shows that the government has "listened to the voices of renters, who have been fighting for a long time to be heard," said chief executive Polly Neate.

But, she adds, "these promises will remain words on page until they become law. Now the government needs to get the job done."

Pallab Ghosh
BBC News Science correspondent

The government has, as expected, announced plans to relax regulations in England for the commercial production of gene edited plants and animals.

The technology is currently covered by legislation in line with EU regulations, which effectively prevents industry from producing genetically modified organisms in Europe.

Broadly speaking, gene editing is more precise and often involves the removal of genes from plants or animals rather than adding them, possibly from a different species.

The technology can potentially be used to boost production and develop plant and animal species that are more resistant to diseases and more resilient to the impact of climate change.

Katy Austin
Transport Correspondent

Image source, PA

What else could the measures outlined in the Queen's Speech mean for seafarers in the wake of the P&O no notice sackings?

The government says most sacked P&O workers accepted either redundancy terms or were rehired on less favourable agency contracts.

It says this bill is aimed at deterring other companies from repeating what P&O did, by closing legislative gaps used by some ferry companies operating regularly in and out of UK ports.

The department for transport also says discussions with France, the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Ireland and Denmark are continuing over the creation of “minimum wage corridors”. This was first announced by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps in March.

British Ports Association (BPA) chief executive Richard Ballantyne has told the BBC he thought the ports ban may be done by ports being asked to request details from ferry companies – possibly once a year.

If they weren’t paying the equivalent of national minimum wage, they’d be reported to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, who could then report to the Secretary of State, and he could require ports to prohibit entry.

The BPA’s view is that this would be doable, but they still aren’t pleased that ports are the ones being asked to police companies’ wage arrangements.

The government says it is focusing on long-term economic growth to boost incomes and stave off the cost of living crisis.

But opposition parties say many people need help now.

Kirsten Oswald, the SNP's deputy Westminster leader, tells the BBC the Queen's Speech was a "missed opportunity" to give people the help the they need.

Labour's Shadow Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the "first line of that Queen's Speech should have called for an emergency budget".

Liberal Democrat Chief Whip Wendy Chamberlain similarly lambasted "what we didn't hear" about tackling the crisis, including battling taxes and her party's call for a cut to VAT.

In response, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Simon Clarke said unemployment had fallen to 3.8%, underpinned by the furlough measures taken during the pandemic.

He also hit back at criticism that there was no Employment Bill. He said the government were "acutely in favour" of protecting worker rights, pointing to the action over the P&O ferry worker scandal.

Douglas Fraser
Scotland business & economy editor

One of Russian criminals' favourite routes for laundering money is being closed down, as part of the proposed economic crime bill.

The Scottish Limited Partnership (SLP) has been around since 1907, as an anonymous legal entity, where accounts aren't always published and tax isn't levied.

The UK government claimed in 2018 that $80 billion (£64bn) in Russian money had been laundered through SLPs in less than four years, and it promised then to close them down.

There has been agreement with Holyrood that this had to be enacted at Westminster.

The economic crime bill, included in the Queen's Speech, is also to require more openness and checks on identity in the registration of new companies.

Save the Children has told the BBC the government has missed a "major opportunity" to do something about the cost of living crisis in the Queen's Speech.

“Families we work with are skipping meals, rationing their power and taking on unsustainable levels of debt. But again, instead of taking serious action ministers have buried their heads in the sand.

“Families can’t wait any longer for support.

"The government must commit to increasing benefits in line with inflation as soon as possible, and no later than the autumn budget. It’s an essential step, which will immediately help hard-pressed families to weather the crisis," the charity said.

“We will ban abhorrent conversion therapy practices intended to change sexual orientation.”

This pledge in the Queen’s Speech comes after more than one U-turn by the government.

Having held a public consultation into how best to end the practice of so-called conversion therapy, the government announced last month that it was scrapping plans for a ban.

It then quickly backtracked on this, and announced that legislation would be brought forward to ban conversion therapy aimed at changing a person's sexual orientation - but not their gender identity.

The government said that the issue of transgender conversion therapy was too complex to be included for now.

It said that there were worries that a ban could have "unintended consequences" which might affect teachers, parents and therapists helping children who are struggling with their gender identity.

Katy Austin
Transport Correspondent

Image source, PA Media

The government has confirmed plans to introduce legislation banning ferries from docking at UK ports, if workers aren’t being paid the equivalent of national minimum wage.

It’s part of the Harbours (Seafarers’ Remuneration) Bill in today’s Queen’s Speech.

On 30 March, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps first outlined the intention to introduce pay protection reforms, covering ferry operators who regularly call at UK ports.

It was in response to P&O’s sudden sacking of nearly 800 seafarers without consultation.

Today a four-week consultation with ports and industry opens into the proposed measures.

It will look at what exactly the enforcement measures could be, and what sort of vessels they could apply to beyond ferries.

The Department for Transport said options being considered included surcharges, suspension of port access and fines.