Reform programme focused on "long term" changes - PM
6 November 2007
The legislative programme announced in today's Queen's Speech will bring "long-term" benefits to the UK, the PM has said.
Speaking to MPs in the House of Commons, the Prime Minister said the Government was determined to make the "right decisions" that would "meet the aspirations of the British people". A total of 22 full Bills were announced by the Government today.
In his address during the Queen's Speech debate, Mr Brown focused on key measures relating to education. Proposals such as raising the education leaving age to 18 would help give young people "all the skill sneeded" for the modern labour market, he said.
The Government has also proposed to use unclaimed assets in financial institutions to fund the building of youth centres and other facilities.
On housing, the PM announced a tender process for the building of 10 new towns, with 240,000 new houses in total to be built by 2016 and a further one million carbon free homes to be built later. Mr Brown said he wanted to see more home ownership and more social housing.
The Prime Minister also outlined measures on tackling climate change, developing "sustainable and secure" energy sources, extending parental rights to leave and flexible working and establishing a defined list of "rights and responsibilities" for citizens.
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