Government delivers on manifesto to build economic security and life chances for all

13 May 2016 06:03 PM

• legislation passed to deliver National Living Wage
• Housing Act provides the framework for delivery of 200,000 new starter homes for first time buyers and supports Housing Association tenants to buy their own homes
• Welfare Reform and Work Act to help deliver £12 billion savings

Economic security and life chances for all were at the heart of a packed legislative schedule delivering on the government’s manifesto in the first session of Parliament.

Landmark legislation passed by the government will see the creation, for the first time, of a National Living Wage – giving a pay rise to thousands of workers across the country.

Amid the 23 government Bills to receive Royal Assent during the session was the Housing and Planning Act, which has set the framework to deliver 200,000 new starter homes for first time buyers and supports the Right to Buy for housing association tenants.

The session also saw further work to reform the welfare system, encouraging people into employment and making work pay. As well as helping deliver £12 billion a year savings through the Welfare Reform and Work Act.

The government also used the Parliamentary session to advance the devolution revolution, with the landmark Cities and Local Government Devolution Act giving huge new powers to directly elected mayors and implementing the findings of the Smith Commission through the Scotland Act.

Other important legislation passed during the session included:

• the Energy Act to revitalise the North Sea oil industry
• the European Union Referendum Act
• the Childcare Act giving 30 hours of free childcare working parents
• tackling illegal immigration through the Immigration Act