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Legislation in key areas of public services including education, health, welfare and crime will be introduced during the next parliamentary session, the Queen’s Speech revealed today, writes Clare Jerrom.

The Queen stressed that education remained the key priority for this government and an Education Bill would be introduced to improve educational standards. Greater support for working families would also be introduced by extending maternity benefits and improving the provision of childcare.

“My government will continue to reform the National Health Service in a way that maintains its founding principles,” she added.

Police and communities will also be given powers to tackle knives, guns and alcohol-related crimes in the Violent Crime Bill and the government will bring forward legislation to reduce re-offending through a greater management of offenders in the Management of Offenders and Sentencing Bill.

The asylum system will be subjected to further reform to ensure the system was “fair, flexible, and in the economic interests of the country,” she said

“My government believes that the welfare of the child is paramount,” the Queen said. “A bill will be introduced to establish a barring and vetting scheme, and other measures to provide better protection for children and vulnerable adults.”

Legislation would also be introduced to safeguard children in instances of parental separation and inter-country adoption.

A new framework would be introduced to ensure compulsory treatment for those with a mental disorder. The government also remained committed to introducing a commission for equality and human rights.

The government would continue to reform the welfare state to reduce poverty and offer greater equality.

A bill will be introduced to establish benefits “which will facilitate a return to employment, while offering long term support for those unable to work”, she continued.

The charity law will also be modernised to develop “a vibrant, diverse and independent charitable sector”.