Queen's Speech
5 Jun 2014 04:18 PM
Minister for
Parliamentary Business Joe FitzPatrick has commented on the Queen’s
Speech which outlines the UK Government's legislative programme for
2014/15.
Mr FitzPatrick
said:
“This final
Queen’s Speech, ahead of the referendum, underlines the growing
divergence between the path of the UK Government and that of Scotland. Our
focus is rightly on measures to improve childcare for every family, boost jobs
and businesses and implement a fairer welfare system for everyone in
Scotland.
“Once again,
we are seeing UK Government policies that are skewed to help those that are
better off, leaving the poorest families struggling to make ends meet.
Westminster’s proposal on childcare is designed to save the best-off
families up to £2,000 a year; this is in stark contrast with our
universal plans under independence, which would deliver 1,140 hours of funded
childcare for every family with a pre-school child aged one to five in
Scotland, saving families up to £4,600 per child, per annum.
“The
UK’s plan will save wealthier families the most since they currently
spend the most on childcare and will be more likely to receive the maximum
rebate possible under the scheme. Whereas our priority is to help workless
households and those working families most struggling to make ends meet, to
reach those most economically disadvantaged and provide routes out of
poverty.
“We are
acting now to deliver more free childcare for all three and four year olds and
extend provision to vulnerable two-year olds from August this year –
giving parents additional support when they are looking for employment and
maintaining that support when they are successful.
“This
Queen’s Speech shows the very clear contrasting position between our two
governments and once again sets us apart on the values of fairness, equality
and building a better society for everyone who lives and works here.
“Her
Majesty’s Scottish Government will continue to make the case for an
independent Scotland, with Her Majesty as head of state. With the full powers
of independence we can deliver real gains for families, businesses and those
who are most in need of transformational policies that can improve
people’s lives.
“Scotland is
one of the wealthiest countries in the world, more prosperous per head than
France, Japan or the UK – but for too many people in Scotland it
doesn’t feel that way, and we need the powers of independence to help
build a fairer society.
"Our
commitment to building a fairer and wealthier country can only be achieved with
full powers over tax and spending. With independence we will abolish the
Bedroom Tax and halt further rollout of Universal Credit and the Personal
Independence Payment to create a fairer welfare system.
“And for the
two bills which require Scottish Parliament approval, the Scottish Government
will table Legislative Consent Motions for the parliament to decide upon. It
will then be for the Scottish Parliament to determine matters on the basis of
its democratic mandate.”
Notes To
Editors
Details of The
Queen’s Speech are available from the UK Government, accessible via the
following linkhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/queens-speech-2014-wh
at-it-means-for-you
The UK bills which
the Scottish Government currently expects to give rise to Legislative Consent
Motions in the Scottish Parliament are:
Serious Crime Bill – a Bill which aims to address serious and organised
crime which mainly extends to England and Wales but on introduction we expect
that it will require legislative consent for amendments to the Proceeds of
Crime Act 2002; reform of serious crime prevention orders; the Computer Misuse
Act 1990 and, the closing of a legislative loophole around Female Genital
Mutilation legislation.
Small Business, Enterprise and Employment
Bill – a Bill which aims to remove what are
regarded as unnecessary impediments to business and includes a range of
measures aimed at promoting economic growth.
It is possible that further opportunities to legislate for Scotland by means of
Legislative Consent Motion may occur in connection with other UK bills,
including Private Member’s bills. Any additional proposals of this kind,
together with any relevant amendments to the Government bills listed above,
will be drawn to the attention of the Parliament as they arise, in line with
the requirements of Standing Orders.