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Today's background research briefings from the House of Commons library cover various topics covered by this afternoon's Queen's Speech debate on the economy and jobs.

The briefings can be found here., external

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The Bishop of Peterborough makes a speech focusing on mental health, calling it "perplexing" that the government did not propose a new bill, "not least given [Theresa May's] strong commitments on the need for legislation".

He says he hopes the aim included in the Queen's Speech of improving mental health results in "not just money but deliverability and accountability".

To leave the NHS in charge of mental health strategy "isn't good enough", he continues, "we have a national health service and the government must be in charge of it, it must take responsibility not fob it off onto others".

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Tonia Antoniazzi is making her maiden speech as the new MP for Gower, which was the most marginal seat in the UK in the general election, after a shock Tory victory in 2015 ended 100 years of uninterrupted Labour rule.

Ms Antoniazzi is a former Welsh women's rugby player and teacher from Llanelli and is the first woman to hold the seat. She says that her Italian family is embedded in Gower and that the cafe culture of South Wales comes from the local Italian familes.

"And yes, you have ice cream to thank me for," she says.

She criticises the effects of government policies on her area before saying that a child of her friend said it is amazing that "anyone can become an MP". Ms Antoniazzi says this proves '"ambition is critical" for children across the country.

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Liberal Democrat leadership contender and former business secretary Sir Vince Cable now speaks in the debate.

He says that there is an underlying malaise in many western countries from the long-term effects of the 2008 crash.

The UK is only beginning to emerge from that tunnel he says, before adding that we have now "superimposed on that the self-inflicted pain" of Brexit.

Sir Vince says there needs to be long-term collaboration with business and a proper framework of stability and security which is currently badly missing from government at the moment.

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The Conservative MP for Milton Keynes South Iain Stewart thanks the Labour Party for their election manifesto, saying "it reminded me why I am a Conservative".

"They believe in taxing entrepreneurship and investment and success; we believe in letting people create the wealth the country needs," he says.

"It's not austerity - it's living within our means."

The annual draw decides which MPs will get Parliamentary time for their proposed new laws.

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Former Labour leader Ed Miliband speaks in the debate saying that the election campaign shows "the tide is going out" on a certain way of running the country; which he describes as "large inequality, the next generation seeing their chances diminish, and permanent austerity".

He says that the prime minister who stood on the steps of Downing Street as the agent of change "became the agent of the status-quo".

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Before the Kirsty Blackman's speech, deputy Speaker Eleanor Laing told MPs that 64 members were down to speak in the debate, and after the speech, John Bercow informed MPs that there would be a six minute time limit on speeches this afternoon.

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Kirsty Blackman says her party demands the UK government invests in infrastructure and public services - "not just in Northern Ireland" but across all the regions of the UK.

She also demands the UK properly ensure the rights of EU nationals - saying a lack of workers will hit the public purse and several industries "badly".

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The SNP's economy spokesperson Kirsty Blackman now speaks in the debate.

She says that the SNP wants the government to halt the austerity agenda - saying that the electorate gave the government that message "and we reiterate the message".

Ms Blackman says that if you talk to people in the street "they are feeling the pain of a decade of wage stagnation".

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The chancellor finishes by saying the government is pursuing a Brexit deal for jobs and growth that will address "long-standing weaknesses" of under-investment, inadequate skills and regional disparity.

"We have a measured and practical plan for Britain to seize the prizes and achieve a brighter global future," he says, before commending the Queen's Speech to Parliament.

House of Lords
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Peers are continuing their debate on the Queen's Speech, with today's session focusing on education, health, welfare, pensions and culture.

Labour's Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon has been discussing the contribution of international students, and the Bishop of Gloucester has called for more women's centres.

Conservative Lord Astor of Hever is using his speech to call for action on Lyme's Disease.

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Image source, HoC

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, HoC

Stella Creasy, who tabled the amendment on abortion, says that £1,400 was the amount Northern Ireland women were having to spend to get an abortion in England and Wales, and thanks the chancellor for the government working to "correct this injustice".

She asks him to make a commitment to meet her and interested organisations to help "turn this into a reality" so that women who have finally had their voices heard can use the services "as soon as possible".

Philip Hammond asks her to "please read the letter" from the minister for women and equalities, and promises that the Treasury will be funding her department with additional funding.

This will then be given as a grant to organisations that provide these services.