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David Jones: "This legislative programme reaffirms our commitment to improve the lives of people in Wales and across the United Kingdom." 

Commenting on the government’s legislative programme for the coming year, announced by Her Majesty The Queen today (4 June 2014), Secretary of State for Wales David Jones said:

“The programme announced in the Queen’s Speech today underlines the government’s commitment to our long term economic plan to build a stronger and a fairer society.”

Our three priorities for the fourth session legislative programme are:

• economic growth and deficit reduction

• social reform

• justice and prevention of crime

The legislative programme contains 11 Bills and 3 draft Bills.

It also includes five carry over Bills introduced in the last session, including the Wales Bill which will devolve new powers to the National Assembly for Wales and Welsh Ministers over taxation.

David Jones MP said:

“As a government we have shown that we are not afraid to take difficult decisions when it comes to reducing the deficit and growing the economy.

“By delivering sustainable growth driven by the private sector we will continue to repair the damaged economy we inherited in 2010.

“Our fourth parliamentary legislative programme will make a real difference to people’s lives across the United Kingdom.

“The Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill will allow small businesses to access the finance they need to grow and to reduce red tape, making the UK a more attractive place to start, and develop a business.

“The Pensions Tax Bill and the Private Pensions Bill with allow for innovation in the private pensions market, providing more choice for those saving for retirement and giving greater freedom to individuals in how they access their pension benefits.

“The Childcare Payments Bill will help working families with childcare costs. The Bill will introduce a scheme providing working families with support towards qualifying childcare costs, up to a maximum of £2,000 per year for each child.

“The Modern Slavery Bill will strengthen the existing powers to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking, while improving support for victims of such crimes.

“The Serious Crime Bill will strengthen the powers of the police to prevent serious and organised crime, as well as enhanced powers to tackle child neglect.

“The Infrastructure Bill will guarantee long-term investment in infrastructure and improve economic competitiveness.

“The Armed Forces (Service Complaints and Financial Assistance) Bill will improve the complaints system in the Armed Forces through the creation of an ombudsman.

“The Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Bill provides that where a person acts heroically, responsibly or for the benefit of others, this will be taken into account by the courts.

“We are continuing with legislation, through the Wales Bill, to give the Assembly and the Welsh Government more powers over taxation.

“This legislative programme reaffirms our commitment to improve the lives of people in Wales and across the United Kingdom.”

Find out more about what the Queen’s Speech 2014 means for you.