Boris Johnson and Sir Keir Starmer debate speech’s policies

Boris Johnson and Sir Keir Starmer have been debating the contents of the Queen’s Speech on Tuesday afternoon after ministers vowed to “turbocharge” the British economy.

It comes after Prince Charles opened Parliament for the first time, delivering the Queen’s Speech, after the monarch pulled out of the event for the first time in 59 years.

Buckingham Palace on Monday announced the Queen, 96, would not attend the event due to “episodic mobility problems”. Her son the Prince of Wales will deliver the speech on her behalf and Prince William will also be in attendance.

The speech outlined 38 Bills, including seven measures scrapping EU regulation – covering areas from data reform to gene-editing to financial services.

It also contains measures aiming to crackdown on “guerrilla protests” with jail sentences of up to six months and unlimited fines for those who glue themselves to roads or “lock on” to public transport infrastructure.

Good morning

10:42 , Daniel Keane

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the Queen’s Speech.

Prince Charles will set out the Government’s legislative agenda from 11.30am and will be standing in for the Queen, who pulled out due to “episodic mobility problems”.

The ceremony will begin with Prince Charles leading the royal procession into Parliament and the House of Lords, with the imperial state crown carried in front of him.

A senior officer – named the Black Rod – will then summon MPs from the House of Commons.

Prince Charles will then read out the speech in the House of Lords. The monarch will then leave the chamber and a new parliamentary session will begin.

A debate between Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the Labour party on the contents of the speech will follow.

Pictured: Yeoman of the guard take part in the traditional ‘Ceremonial Speech’

10:52 , Daniel Keane

Queen watching ceremony from Windsor Castle

10:53 , Daniel Keane

The Queen is understood to be watching the proceedings on television from Windsor Castle.

Story continues

She will have her weekly phone audience with Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday.

Imperial Crown transported to Palace of Westminster

11:01 , Daniel Keane

The Regalia – the Imperial State Crown, the Cap of Maintenance and Sword of State – were transported to the Palace of Westminster in three state limousines ahead of the Queen’s speech.

In past years the symbolic items would have travelled in a carriage but this year vehicles are being used and a state limousine will also carry the royal party later.

PM leaves Downing St for Queen’s Speech

11:07 , Daniel Keane

Home Office ministers ‘must tackle shameful collapse in prosecutions’

11:09 , Daniel Keane

Sarah Jones, shadow policing minister, has criticised the Government’s public order bill after it was briefed ahead of the Queen’s Speech.

She said: “Home Office ministers should be asking themselves why they are taking no action to tackle the shameful collapse in prosecutions, put more rapists behind bars or crack down on criminal fraudsters scamming the vulnerable.

“After more than a decade of Tory government victims of crime are being let down. The government is completely out of ideas, and it is communities across the country who are paying the price.”

Duke of Cambridge enters Palace of Westminster

11:12 , Daniel Keane

The Duke of Cambridge is being escorted into the Palace of Westminster, joined by Black Rod – who will summon MPs from the House of Commons.

He will wait in the robing room, where the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall will arrive shortly.

Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall arrive for ceremony

11:16 , Daniel Keane

The Duchess of Cornwall and the Prince of Wales are now entering the Palace of Westminster to the tune of the national anthem.

They will join the Duke of Cambridge in the robing room shortly.

Charles will then lead the royal procession into Parliament to begin the ceremony.

Pictured: Crown is carried into palace

11:20 , Daniel Keane

Charles arrives at Palace of Westminster

11:25 , Daniel Keane

Royal procession begins

11:30 , Daniel Keane

The state trumpeteers have signalled the beginning of the royal procession, with the imperial state crown now being carried into the chamber of the House of Lords.

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall are following closely behind.

Black Rod enters House of Commons

11:33 , Daniel Keane

Black Rod has entered the members lobby and banged three times on the door of the House of Commons, before entering the room.

She summons MPs to enter the House of Lords upon the command of the monarch.

Pictured: The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cambridge walks past the The Household Cavalry

11:34 , Daniel Keane

Starmer and PM crack a joke

11:36 , Daniel Keane

Sir Keir Starmer and prime minister Boris Johnson appeared to be engaged in jovial conversation as they entered the Lords’ chamber, with the Labour leader cracking a joke.

This is despite some rather fiery exhanges between the pair over the partygate scandal in the past few weeks, where attacks have frequently turned personal.

Charles begins Queen’s speech

11:38 , Daniel Keane

Prince Charles has begun the Queen’s Speech.

He says that the Government will “grow and strengthen the economy and help ease the cost of living crisis for families” and “level up in all parts of the country”.

He adds: “Ministers will continue to support the police to make the streets safer and reduce the Covid backlogs… and continue to support the people of Ukraine.”

Charles: Govt will ‘drive economic growth to improve living standards’

11:39 , Daniel Keane

Standing in for the Queen, Charles told Parliament: “Her Majesty’s Government will drive economic growth to improve living standards and fund sustainable investment in public services.

“This will be underpinned by a responsible approach to the public finances, reducing debt while reforming and cutting taxes.

“Her Majesty’s ministers will support the Bank of England to return inflation to its target.”

‘Reforms to schools will help children fulfil their potential’

11:40 , Daniel Keane

Charles says that “reforms to education will help every child fulfill their potential, wherever they live”.

He adds that this will “raise standards and improve the quality of schools and higher education”.

Charles: Ministers will ‘encourage agricultural innovation’

11:43 , Daniel Keane

Prince Charles says that ministers “will encourage agricultural and scientific innvoation at home” and the Government will seek to unlock the benefits of Brexit.

He goes on: “Legislation will unlock the potential of new technologies to promote sustainable and efficient farming and food production.

“It will protect the integrity of the UK’s borders and ensure the safety of its people. Ministers will take action to prevent dangerous and illegal channel crossings, and tackle criminal gangs who profit from facilitating them.

“Legislation will be introduced to ensure the police have the powers to make the streets safer.”

Legislation will strengthen the rights of tenants, says Charles

11:44 , Daniel Keane

The Gover
nment will introduce legislation to strengthen the rights of tenants and ensure better quality, safer homes, Prince Charles says.

“Legislation will also be introduced to ban conversion therapy, and an independent regulator of English football will be established,” he adds.

Charles returns Queen’s Speech to Lord Chancellor

11:46 , Daniel Keane

The Prince of Wales has now returned the speech to the Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Dominic Raab.

Prince Charles, the Duke of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall are now exiting the chamber with the Imperial State Crown.

The royal procession is now making its way through the gallery towards the Norman Porch.

MPs make their way back to Commons chamber

11:49 , Daniel Keane

Members of parliament are making their way back through the lobby to the House of Commons chamber.

A debate on the contents of the speech will follow.

Queen’s Speech: What does it lack?

11:53 , Daniel Keane

Very little in the Queen’s Speech will come as a surprise to Britons, as its contents were briefed last and this morning.

However, it sets the stage for a debate on the cost of living crisis – with Sir Keir Starmer likely to highlight the Government’s failure to provide more support to struggling families.

There is no windfall tax on the soaring profits of energy giants, which has been demanded by opposition parties and others campaigning to ease the cost-of-living crisis.

Instead, ministers highlighted a £22 billion package already announced while hinting at further support in the future.

Also absent was legislation to implement the Government’s threat to tear up the post-Brexit deal on Northern Ireland’s trading arrangements.

‘Are we adjourned’, quips PM

11:55 , Daniel Keane

Boris Johnson could be heard asking “are we adjourned?” as MPs returned to the House of Commons after the Queen’s Speech.

The Prime Minister exited the chamber immediately and could be heard mentioning lunch, while other MPs spent time mingling in the Commons.

The Commons will resume at 2.30pm to debate the speech.

The speech itself lasted nine minutes – starting at 11.34am and ending at 11.43am.

The Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke of Cambridge have also left Parliament.

PM and Starmer walk through lobby side by side

11:58 , Daniel Keane

All of the bills summarised (Part 1)

12:05 , Daniel Keane

Our political editor Nicholas Cecil and deputy political editor David Bond have an analysis of the Queen’s Speech here.

Here’s their summary of the main bills being introduced:

– A Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill will pave the way for further devolution of powers to local communities and unlock powers for local councils to bring empty premises back into use and regenerate high streets, extend al fresco dining and give residents more of a say over changing street names.

– An Energy Security Bill will look to protect households from surging prices by reducing the UK’s reliance on foreign imports, made more pressing by the Ukraine war and sanctions against Russia. It will also extend the Ofgem energy price cap to prevent suppliers from overcharging customers.

– The Renters Reform Bill will abolish so-called “no fault” Section 21 evictions and strengthen landlords’ rights of possession, and will seek to provide a “fair and effective market” for both tenants and landlords.

– A Non-Domestic Rating Bill will seek to modernise the business rates system with more frequent revaluations based on more accurate data, aiming to drive growth by making rates bills more responsive to economic changes.

– A Public Order Bill will make it illegal to obstruct major transport works, including disrupting the construction or maintenance of projects, such as HS2. Stop-and-search powers for police will be extended to search for and seize articles related to protest-related offences.

– A Brexit Freedoms Bill, two years after the UK left the EU, will look to repeal and reform regulations on businesses that were inherited from Brussels. The Government claims the Bill will cut £1 billion of “burdensome EU red tape” and 1,400 pieces of EU derived law that have been transferred into UK law.

– A Bill of Rights will aim to ensure there is a “proper balance” between the rights of individuals, national security and “effective” government, with ministers stressing it will strengthen freedom of speech, Britain’s common law traditions and reduce reliance on Strasbourg case law.

All of the bills summarised (Part 2)

12:06 , Daniel Keane

– An Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill will aim to make it harder for “kleptocrats, criminals and terrorists” to engage in money laundering, corruption, terrorism-financing, illegal arms movements and ransomware payments. It will provide Companies House with more effective investigation and enforcement powers.

– A National Security Bill will bring in new offences to tackle state-backed sabotage, foreign interference, the theft of trade secrets and assisting a foreign intelligence service.

– The Online Safety Bill will introduce a duty of care on online companies, making them responsible for protecting users and tackling illegal content, and will include protections for democratic and journalistic content.

– The Transport Bill which will create a new public body, Great British Railways, to modernise the UK’s rail services and introduce new passenger service contracts to ensure operators focus on punctual and reliable trains. It will also seek to boost the number of electric vehicle charging points to boost the transition from petrol and diesel by 2030 and cut harmful emissions.

– A Media Bill will pave the way for the sale of Channel 4.

Pictured: Charles and Camilla in the royal procession

12:13 , Daniel Keane

UK Finance welcomes Queen’s Speech crackdown on economic crime

12:25 , Daniel Keane

Responding to the Queen’s Speech delivered in parliament today, David Postings, Chief Executive of UK Finance, said: “We strongly welcome the announcement in the Queen’s Speech that the government will bring forward a Financial Services Bill and a further Economic Crime Bill, which we see as two key pieces of legislation for financial services.

“The Financial Service Bill provides the opportunity to tailor the UK’s regulatory framework and so create a more competitive financial services sector post-Brexit, supporting jobs and investment across the country.

“The Economic Crime Bill will be critical in helping to address money laundering and the growth in fraud and scams, which are now the most prevalent type of crime in the UK. This Bill should focus on measures that prevent fraud happening in the first place and provide greater enforcement powers to tackle those who commit economic crime.

“We look forward to working with the government and parliament on the development of the detailed proposals in both Bills.”

Media Bill to privatise Channel 4

12:39 , Daniel Keane

Boris Johnson has cemented the Government’s intention to privatise Channel 4, saying the sale will “unleash the potential of the UK’s creative sector”.

The Government said the Media Bill will enable a change of ownership to give the broadcaster “the tools it needs to succeed in the future as a public service broadcaster while protecting its distinctiveness”.

The main elements section of the Bill mentions allowing the broadcaster to switch from a “statutory corporation to a new corporate structure that could be sold” and “other changes concerning Channel 4’s obligations and remit to ensure the sustainability of the broadcaster”.

Further benefits of the Media Bill, the Government says, will be ensuring due prominence for content from public service broadcasters, so that it is always “carried and easy to find for UK audiences on connected devices and major online platforms” and also on other devices like smart TVs, set-top boxes and streaming sticks.

Lack of Audit Reform Bill ‘deeply disappointing’, says industry

12:47 , Daniel Keane

John Wood, the CEO of the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditor’s, has criticised the Government for failing to include audit reform in its Queen’s Speech.

“We are deeply disappointed there was no mention of audit reform in the Queen’s Speech. Without legislation to put the audit regulator on a statutory footing with the legal powers it needs to do its job effectively, there is a real risk that it will not be fit for purpose,” he said.

“There is also a risk of further corporate collapses linked to audit and governance deficiencies as we have seen time and again with BHS, Carillion, and Patisserie Valerie, a risk that is now being exacerbated by the difficult financial challenges many businesses are grappling with.

“Audit reform is looking increasingly half-baked and half-hearted, and we urge the Government to swiftly respond to the White Paper it issued over a year ago, committing to a clear timetable setting out exactly when legislation will now be passed.”

Watch: Charles delivers Queen’s Speech on her behalf

12:58 , Daniel Keane

Beergate has had minor impact on Starmer’s ratings

13:09 , Daniel Keane

The Beergate controversy has appeared to impact Sir Keir Starmer’s popularity with the British public – but not drastically.

A YouGov poll published today showed the Labour leader’s rating for “best prime minister” down 1 per cent, with Boris Johnson’s up by the same amount.

Intriguingly, the most common answer given to the question was “Don’t Know” on 35 per cent – highlighting the considerable work to be done by both party leaders.

DUP urges ‘decisive action’ on Northern Ireland Protocol

13:23 , Daniel Keane

The leader of the DUP has reiterated that without “decisive action” on the Northern Ireland Protocol from the UK Government, he will not nominate ministers to a new Stormont executive.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson insisted that “words in themselves will not fix this problem” after the Government stopped short of pledging to take action on the protocol in the Queen’s Speech.

“Until we see that decisive action we won’t be moving on the political institutions,” he told reporters.

“I want that to happen quickly; it must happen quickly. It’s in the interests of everyone that we get this sorted out, we find a resolution, and then we can move forward.”

Downing St to postpone conversation therapy legislation for trans people

13:38 , Daniel Keane

Downing Street said legislation to ban conversion therapy for transgender people will not be introduced while further considerations are under way.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “It’s about the need to do more work because it’s obviously a complex issue and it needs careful thought.

“The Government will continue doing more policy work on that front before providing further updates.”

BCC says firms need emergency budget

13:49 , Daniel Keane

Responding to the details of the Government’s legislative plan set out in today’s Queen’s Speech, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the BCC, said many of the measures “will come too late to help many firms”.

“An emergency budget is needed to provide firms with the breathing space they need to raise productivity and strengthen the economy.

“The costs crises facing firms and people in the street are two sides of the same coin. If we can ease the pressure on businesses then they can keep a lid on the price rises being driven by surging energy bills, staff shortages and higher taxes.

“Only after an emergency budget will some of the legislation set out in the Queen’s Speech have a chance to drive our economy forward.”

Charles: Priority is to strengthen the economy and help ease the cost of living

14:03 , Daniel Keane

PM to visit Finland and Sweden as they mull Nato membership

14:11 , Daniel Keane

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will visit Finland and Sweden as they mull whether to join Nato.

The PM’s official spokesman said he will travel to Finland on Wednesday before going on to Sweden.

The spokesman said Mr Johnson would have discussions on “broader security issues”.

“It is about not just Ukraine but the security of Europe more broadly. This about meeting other democratic countries and discussing issues such as security which are of importance here and overseas,” the spokesman said.

“We support countries’ democratic capability to decide on things like Nato membership. We understand the positions of Sweden and Finland and that is why the Prime Minister is going to discuss these broader security issues.”

PM: Queen’s Speech cannot heal people from cost of living squeeze

14:30 , Daniel Keane

Boris Johnson warned the Government cannot “completely shield” people from the rising cost of living.

“After two years of Covid-19, I know that the last thing people need are further challenges. I know people are struggling with their bills and that they are anxious about the future,” Mr Johnson said.

“While we must keep our public finances on a sustainable footing – and we cannot completely shield people from the fallout from global events – where we can help, we will.

< p>“And over the coming months we will continue examining what more we can do to ease the pressures on hardworking people and families.”

Queen’s Speech debate begins

14:41 , Daniel Keane

Sir Lindsay Hoyle has kicked off today’s debate on the Queen’s Speech.

“If a member is inaccurate by mistake they should correct the record as soon as possible,” he says.

Tory MP: ‘Never has so much karma come from a korma’

14:46 , Daniel Keane

Graham Stuart, MP for Beverley and Holderness, begins his Loyal Address to parliament.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, he makes a joke about beergate.

“The only thing opening up for the leader of the opposition in the north is a police investigation,” he says in reference to the party’s minimal gains in the north of England at the local elections.

“Never in the history of human conflict has so much karma come from a korma.”

Fay Jones MP begins speech

14:52 , Daniel Keane

Fay Jones MP will second Mr Stuart’s speech.

She praises his speech as “pitch perfect”.

“This year’s state opening is special. The platinum jubilee is a reminder of the Queen’s devotion to duty.”

State Opening of Parliament: The key points

14:59 , Daniel Keane

Queen’s Speech ‘will rewrite historic imbalance’

15:05 , Daniel Keane

“We are delighted that the leader of the oposition has not cancelled this afternoon’s speech,” Ms Jones says in a dig at Sir Keir Starmer, who did not attend a speech last week amid the beergate scandal.

“Today’s speech contains a commitment to rewrite the historic imblanace that has plagued this country for too long.

“It helps this country stand tall on the world stage.”

Starmer hails Queen’s ‘commitment to public duty’

15:08 , Daniel Keane

Sir Keir Starmer hails the Queen’s “commitment to public duty”.

He goes on: “I also want to congratulate the prime minister. He is the first Downing Street resident to be the constituent of a Labour council.”

“I am sure they will serve him well.”

Starmer pays tribute to Amess and Brokenshire

15:10 , Daniel Keane

Sir Keir pays tribute to Sir David Amess and James Brokenshire, two conservative MPs who have died in the past year.

He acknowledges that the pain will still be “raw” on the Conservative benches but that both would have been proud of the speeches in parliament today.

Sir Keir also pays tribute to Jack Dromey, the Labour MP who died earlier this year aged 73.

Government is ‘bereft of leadership’, says Starmer

15:13 , Daniel Keane

Sir Keir says the Queen’s Address was “thin” and did “not have a roadmap for delivery”.

“They are too out of touch to meet the challenges of the moment and too tired to grasp the opportunities of the future.

“Their time has passed.”

He highlights the cost of living crisis as the “first great challenge” the country faces, accusing the Government of “ignoring the red lights” on the economy.

“A Government of the moment would use the powers that it has to tackle this head on. Bring forward an emergency budget with a windfall tax for oil and gas producers,” he adds.

“It’s a common sense solution. But instead, the Government is bereft of leadership.”

Starmer lashes out at Tory economic record

15:16 , Daniel Keane

Sir Keir accuses the Government of a “pathetic response” to the cost of living crisis.

“Where there should have been support, it’s been tax rise upon tax rise.

“Over twelve years of Tory government, the economy has grown far more slowly than when Labour was in power.”

He goes on: “If the Tories had matched Labour’s record ofgrowth in government, we could have spent £40bn more on public services without having to raise tax.

“Our next challenge is to get Britain growing again.”

Sunak’s legacy will be ‘low growth and high tax’, says Starmer

15:18 , Daniel Keane

Sir Keir says: “We have a Chancellor who rather than partnering with business, has loaded them up with debt and wonders why they’re struggling to invest…. who is content to have the slowest growth of any G20 country bar Russia.

“His legacy will be low growth and high tax, and with it the diminishing of British living standards.”

Starmer attacks Tory record on crime

15:21 , Daniel Keane

“Fraud is just the tip of the iceberg,” Sir Keir says in an attack on the Conservatives’ record on crime.

“The overall charge rate for criminals is a pathetic 5.8 per cent… serious crimes have effectively been decriminalised.

“A government of the moment would say enough is enough. Invest in community policing, pull away resources from his vanity projects like a ministerial yacht.

“We have a government that talks tough but is letting the justice system fall apart.”

PM: Aftershocks of pandemic still being felt around the world

15:22 , Daniel Keane

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has taken to the despatch box.

He sends his “warmest wishes” to the Queen and says her commitment to public services “inspires us all”.

Mr Johnson acknowledges that the cost of the pandemic has been “huge” and the “aftershocks are being felt around the world”.

Queen’s Speech will ‘build foundation of growth’, says PM

15:25 , Daniel Keane

Mr Johnson says the UK will “use our Brexit freedoms to enable revolutionary technology like gene editing.”

He also highlights the Government’s record on reducing unemployment since the pandemic.

“This Queen’s speech will build the foundation of growth for decades to come,” he says.

PM hints at announcement on cost of living

15:27 , Daniel Keane

Mr Johnson hints that an announcement could be imminent on the cost of living crisis.

He says he will be “saying more” on the Government’s response to the crisis in the coming days.

PM urges G7 to ‘go further’ in supporting Ukraine

15:31 , Daniel Keane

Mr Johnson says he has urged G7 partners to “go further” in supporting Ukraine, highlighting the suffering of those in besieged Mariupol.

“We should be proud that when their democracy was imperilled, our country led the way,” he says.

“Let the message ring out from this chamber: we will persevere in our support for Ukraine until Putin has failed.”

Ian Blackford stands to give his address

15:42 , Elly Blake

The SNP’s Westminster leader Ian Blackford has sent his best wishes to the Queen “on what is such a momentous year for her”.

He also paid tribute to the late MPs, James Brokenshire, David Amess and Jack Dromey.

Moving to politics, he stressed it was important for the UK to “stand together” with Ukraine and ensure Vladimir Putin faces justice.

Mr Blackford then told the House, “this Queen’s speech has one very obvious backdrop that deserves mention”, referencing the recent results in the local May elections.

The Ross, Skye and Lochaber MP said the Conservatives had suffered a “democratic drubbing” in the local polls, and said it was the SNP’s 11th election victory in a row as he called for a second independence referendum.

Mr Blackford said: “Democracy has spoken in Scotland, it has spoken before and it will speak again and again. And all our democratic decisions are saying exactly the same thing, Scotland rejects this Westminster Government, we reject the Tory party and we demand the choice of an independent future.

“The Scottish people know the cost of living with We
stminster. We know the price we pay with the Prime Minister and the price of being stuck with a Tory Government we didn’t vote for and it is price none of us in Scotland, not one of us, can afford to pay any longer.”

Intervening, Conservative MP Andrew Bowie (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) said the SNP had not increased its vote share in eight years, adding that “the game is up” for the party.

Mr Blackford replied: “If the game is up for anybody, or any party, then the game is up for the Tory party and the game is up for the union and I say to him that he needs to reflect on the fact that the SNP has won the last 11 elections as I said.”

PM pays tribute to late MPs Sir David Amess, James Brokenshire and Jack Dromey

16:04 , Elly Blake

Boris Johnson paid tribute to “those colleagues we’ve lost in this parliamentary session”.

He said: “Time will not dim our shock at the despicable murder of Sir David Amess, a friend to so many who lost his life giving the service he loved most, a constituency surgery in a local church.”

He also paid tribute to James Brokenshire, a former Conservative minister, who died from lung cancer aged 53 last October, who Mr Johnson described as a “true gentleman who faced his battle with cancer with enormous courage, generosity and strength of character”.

“His loss is felt deeply on all sides of this House, and by all those whose lives he touched,” Mr Johnson added.

And he paid tribute to Jack Dromey, the former Labour MP for Birmingham Erdington, who he described as “one of the great trade unionists of our time”.

PM: We must ‘cut the cost of government’ as country recovers from the pandemic

16:13 , Elly Blake

During the debate following the Queen’s Speech, Boris Johnson told MPs “we must also cut the cost of government”.

On NHS investment he said: “It is right that this Government is now investing more in our NHS than any other Government in history, giving our NHS the funding it needs to help clear the Covid backlogs and we will also make sure that every penny is well spent.”

He added: “When times are tough and families are facing such pressures we must also cut the cost of government and cut the burdens that government places on taxpayers and on citizens.

He added: “We can’t have expensive delays in delivering passports and driving licences that see families stranded and unable to go on holiday. HGV drivers unable to transport goods around this country in the way that is so integral to the economy we need and we’re going to fix it.”

He spoke about the “post-Covid manana culture” adding “we will take whatever steps are necessary to deliver for the British people, because the British people are not prepared to wait and we share their impatience”.

Speaker steps in to remind MPs to use ‘moderate and tolerant language’ in the House

16:32 , Elly Blake

SNP MP Hannah Bardell (Livingston) was reprimanded for describing the Government as a “shower of corrupt, criminal Conservatives” in the chamber.

After protests from Conservative former minister David Davis, Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle reminded Ms Bardell that MPs must use “moderate and tolerant language”.

Labour MP fears new bills ‘do nothing to solve problems’

16:42 , Elly Blake

Labour’s Meg Hillier has expressed concern that new legislation being pushed forward by the Government will “do nothing to solve the problems”.

She told MPs that she could not identify any of the “fiscal firepower” that Boris Johnson talked about in the content of the Queen’s Speech.

Hillier accused the Government of creating “mere headlines, or worse, mere dogwhistle headlines that appeal to a certain section of our electorate but do nothing to solve the problems”.

Theresa May urges caution over NI protocol

16:49 , Elly Blake

Former prime minister Theresa May cautioned Boris Johnson over action on the Northern Ireland Protocol.

She said: “I note that there is no reference to what has been referred to in the papers as a bill in relation to, and I’m going to use the word, the Northern Ireland Protocol and possibly to varying the terms of the treaty unilaterally.

“Can I say to (Mr Johnson) and he will not be surprised if I say this, that I do not feel that that would be the right move for the Government. That I think the Government needs to consider not just some immediate issues, but also the wider sense of what such a move would say about the UK and its willingness to abide by treaties which it has signed.”

Intervening DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said: “Surely what is more important here is the Good Friday Belfast Agreement and the need to protect the political institutions. I stood in the election last week, not a single Unionist member was returned to the assembly that supports the Protocol.

“There is no consensus for this, it needs to be dealt with. It is harming our economy, it is driving up the cost of living, it is undermining political stability in Northern Ireland, it threatens the Good Friday Agreement it has to be dealt with.”

Theresa May: Levelling up needs to ‘work for everyone’

16:59 , Elly Blake

Conservative former prime minister Theresa May urged Boris Johnson to “ensure that we’re a Government that doesn’t just work for certain parts of the country”.

She said: “A country that works for everyone is about levelling up opportunity across the country, but the economic background against which the Government is working does not make delivering on those aspirations easy.

“The cost of living crisis is making life difficult for many across the country. We have rising inflation, the need to restore public finances. The number of people who are economically inactive in this country is rising as well as we’ve seen a hit to sterling and forecast growth is well below trend.

“All those make for a very challenging environment and it’s a time like this that the Conservative principles of sound public finances and competent economic management are needed more than ever.

“And as we level up across the country we should ensure that we’re a Government that doesn’t just work for certain parts of the country, but a Government that truly works for everyone.”

Queen ‘remains a rock of stability’, says Tory Peer

17:27 , Elly Blake

The Queen has served as “a rock of stability” to the nation for decades, Parliament has been told.

Leading thanks in the Lords for the Queen’s Speech, read on behalf of the monarch by the Prince of Wales, Tory peer Lord Sherbourne of Didsbury said: “Although Her Majesty was not present to deliver the speech in person it gives us the opportunity in this House to thank Her Majesty for seven decades of steadfast and dedicated service to all parts of the United Kingdom and to the Commonwealth.

“Throughout a period a period of huge change and with all its ups and downs, the Queen has been and remains a rock of stability in our nation.”

Highlighting efforts to encourage more women to enter Parliament and public life, Lord Sherbourne said: “It’s worth reminding ourselves that during the last 185 years there has been a woman on the throne for 133 of them. The monarchy has done more on this than any other institution.”

Lord Sherbourne, who served as political secretary to then prime minister Margaret Thatcher and was chief of staff to Michael Howard when Conservative leader, also hailed Charles, whom he said had “carved out for himself a substantial role as Prince of Wales without parallel in our history”.

“Deeply committed, hard-working and on so many issues ahead of the times,” he added.

Murdered MP Sir David Amess ‘a legend across the whole of Essex’

17:38 , Elly Blake

Murdered MP Sir David Amess was described as “a legend across the whole of Essex” by the MP who followed him in the Southend West seat.

Giving her maiden speech, Conservative MP Anna Firth said: “It is the honour of my life to be the first MP to be elected for the new city of Southend.

“Yet I will never forget that the circumstances that have brought me here are truly horrific. Sir David was and remains a legend across the whole of Essex.”

She added that Sir David “embodied all that is good about our parliamentary democracy”.

Ms Firth also told the Commons that Southend is “absolutely worthy of being the UK’s city of culture in 2029”.

She added: “You may think that calls for Southend to be a city have finished, I can tell you they have only just begun. Believe me.”

Commons leader addresses govt approach to cost of living crisis

18:00 , Elly Blake

Commons Leader Mark Spencer said the Government was taking a “two-pronged” approach to tackling the cost-of-living crisis

“There are lots of things looking forward about growing the economy, about growing the Brexit dividend or doing trade deals around the world,” he told BBC Radio 4’s PM programme when asked what ministers were doing to alleviate the problem at the moment.

“I think we need to continue to grow the economy rapidly.

“We need to continue to invest in our businesses, to give tax breaks which the Chancellor has set out, and that is the two-pronged attack.

“There are also, I acknowledge, people who are still under enormous challenge and that’s why we have arms of support to help people through this terrible challenge.”

Conservative MP David Davis says ‘taxes today are too high’

18:07 , Elly Blake

Conservative former cabinet minister David Davis has called for a “new model of Conservatism fit for a new Britain in a new world”.

Speaking in the Commons, Mr Davis said “Queen’s Speech is built on sand if it’s not underpinned by strong economic foundations”, adding: “Indeed, in the actual Queen’s Speech, it said the Government will drive economic growth to improve living standards and fund sustainable investment in public services.

“But taxes today are too high. So, we need to get some fundamentals right. High taxes don’t deliver growth, they stifle it. Low taxes deliver investment, low taxes deliver higher productivity, therefore low taxes deliver growth, therefore low taxes is the pre-emptive answer to stagflation, which is the biggest threat on our horizon in the coming year.”

That’s all for our Queen’s Speech coverage today

20:15 , Elly Blake

Here ends our live coverage of the Queen’s Speech and subsequent debate by MPs in the House of Commons.

For a round-up of the days events, click here.