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Queen's Speech key points: How Theresa May has shredded the Tory manifesto

BY Steven Swinford, deputy political editor Christopher Hope, chief political correspondent 21 JUNE 2017 • 11:47AM
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/21/queens-speech-key-points-theresa-may-has-shredded-tory-manifesto/

Theresa May has shredded the Conservative manifesto in a bid to push her Queen's Speech through Parliament and cling on to power.

The Prime Minister has been forced to abandon flagship pledges including overhauling social care, an energy price cap, a new generation of grammar schools and a vote on fox hunting.

She has instead presented a manifesto heavily focused on securing a hard Brexit, including repealing EU laws, leaving the Customs Union and controlling immigration.

What's out:

Social Care

Theresa May was forced into a humiliating about-turn over plans for pensioners to pay for their social care down to their last £100,000. She announced a cap four days later.

There will now be a consultation "on work to improve social care".

Means-testing of winter fuel payments

The universal benefit that sees millions of elderly people given as much as £300 a year by the Government to help pay heating bills was going to be means-tested.

Plans to scrap the triple lock pensions

The triple lock pension guarantee to increase pensions by earnings, inflation or 2.5 per cent until 2020 – was going to be replaced by a double lock - meaning pensions will rise in line with earnings or inflation, whichever is highest.

Free vote on fox hunting

A free vote was pledged on a Government bill in Government time in the House of Commons to repeal the Hunting Act.

Grammar schools

A ban on new selective schools was to be lifted.

National infrastructure police force

A "national infrastructure police force" was planned to combine the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, the Ministry of Defence Police and British Transport Police.

Serious Fraud Office

The Serious Fraud Office was to be incorporated into the National Crime Agency while £1 billion will be made available to modernise the prison estate.

Housing

A pledge to meet an existing commitment to build a million homes by the end of 2020, with a further 500,000 by the end of 2022, new "council housing deals" to allow local authorities to build more social housing.

Social media

Facebook and Twitter and other social media and internet companies faced an industry-wide levy that to fund efforts to counter online crime.

Section 40

The Tories had pledged to repeal Section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act 2014 to force media companies to pay the legal costs of both sides in libel and privacy cases.

Energy bills

The Tories had pledged to introduce a fixed cap on energy tariffs, to be set by the regulator Ofgem and reviewed every six months.

NHS

A pledge to increase NHS spending by a minimum of £8 billion in real terms over the next five years is not in the manifesto.


What's in:

Great Repeal Bill

The Government will repeal the European Communities Act 1972 and convert all EU law onto Britain's statute books. European regulations can subsequently be repealed by Parliament.

Austerity

While not proposing any specific legislation, the Government hints that it is prepared to ease austerity by "reflecting on the message voters sent at the General Election.

Counter-terrorism

The Government will carry out a review which will examine tougher sentences for those convicted of terror offences and extended powers.

The Government will also commit to a commission for countering extremism, identifying new policies.

Grenfell Tower

In the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster a new Independent Public Advocate will be appointed to represent victims and their families.

Customs Bill

Commits Britain to leaving the Custom's Union, one of the biggest demands of leading Brexiteers. The bill will enable Britain to create its own customs regime once it leaves the EU, setting its own taxes on imported goods.

Trade Bill

Under the legislation Britain will be able to strike its own trade deals after it leaves the European Union in a bid to fulfill Theresa May's vision of making Britain a "great global trading nation".

Immigration Bill

Formally ending free movement of EU nationals and making them the subject of a new, yet to be determined UK migration system. It is expected to commit to allowing the "brightest and the best" to continue to come to the UK while placing restrictions on low-skilled workers.

Fisheries Bill

Enable the UK to control access to its waters and set its own fishing quotas. How the regime works will become a key aspect of Brexit negotiations.

Agriculture Bill

Has the potential to be one of the most controversial aspects of Brexit. British farmers will no longer enjoy EU farming subsidies after Brexit.

The bill hints says that farmers will have to become "self-reliant" and "more competitive, productive and profitable".

Data Protection Bill

A new data protection law will give individuals a "right to be forgotten" online.

Armed Forces Bill

Encouraging more women to join the armed forces by giving more support to those returning from maternity leave.

There will also be more potential for people to serve in the armed forces on a part-time basis.

Nuclear Safeguards Bill

Establish Britain's own nuclear safeguards regime after Brexit to continue to ensure it meets "international obligations".

International Sanctions Bill

The legislation will enable the UK to continue to impose sanctions on Russia and other nations after it leaves the EU. There had been concerns that Brexit would put sanctions at risk.

Driverless cars and electric vehicles

The Government will be able to force motorway services and petrol stations to to install electrich charging points. Car insurance will cover driverless cars.

Space industry

New powers will licence a new generation of space flights from the UK, including vertically-launched rockets, satellites and building spaceports.

High Speed 2

Paves the way for the next phase of the High Speed 2 line from Straffordshire to Crewe, enabling the compulsory purchase of land.

National Insurance Contributions

Commits to making the national insurance system fairer and simpler by aligning employer and employee thresholds.

Mental Health

Ministers will work towards a new Mental Health Act which will ensure those suffering from mental illness are treated fairly and protected from discrimination.

Travel Protection Bill

Updating the Atol travel protection scheme to ensure people who book holidays online are protected.

Draft Tenant Fees Bill

The bill will ban landlords and estate agents from charging their tenants letting fees.

Domestic Violence and Abuse Bill

Establishing a new domestic violence and abuse commissioner who will stand up for victims and survivors. Formally defines domestic abuse in law.

Civil Liability Bill

A crackdown on whiplash claims in a bid to slash motor insurance premiums.

Courts Bill

Ending cross-examination of domestic violence victims by their alleged attacksers in court and extending the use of virtual hearings.

Enabling those charged with less serious offences to avoid court entirely by pleading guilty, accepting a conviction and paying a fine online.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/21/queens-speech-key-points-theresa-may-has-shredded-tory-manifesto/