>>HM The Queen: My Lords, pray be seated.
>>Serjeant At Arms: Close the doors.
>>Serjeant at Arms: Unlock
>>Door Keeper: Black Rod
>>Black Rod: Mr Speaker, the Queen commands this honourable House, to attend Her Majesty
immediately in the House of Peers.
>>Dennis Skinner MP: Get your skates on, the first race is half past two.
>>HM The Queen: My Lords and Members of the House of Commons.
My government’s priority is to secure the best possible deal as the country leaves the
European Union. My ministers are committed to working with Parliament, the devolved administrations,
business and others to build the widest possible consensus on the country’s future outside
the European Union.
A bill will be introduced to repeal the European Communities Act and provide certainty for
individuals and businesses. This will be complemented by legislation to ensure that the United Kingdom
makes a success of Brexit, establishing new national policies on immigration, international
sanctions, nuclear safeguards, agriculture, and fisheries.
My government will seek to maintain a deep and special partnership with European allies
and to forge new trading relationships across the globe. New bills on trade and customs
will help to implement an independent trade policy, and support will be given to help
British businesses export to markets around the world.
My ministers will strengthen the economy so that it supports the creation of jobs and
generates the tax revenues needed to invest in the National Health Service, schools, and
other public services.
My government will continue to improve the public finances, while keeping taxes low.
It will spread prosperity and opportunity across the country through a new modern, industrial
strategy.
My government will work to attract investment in infrastructure to support economic growth.
Legislation will be introduced to ensure the United Kingdom remains a world leader in new
industries, including electric cars and commercial satellites. A new bill will also be brought
forward to deliver the next phase of high-speed rail.
My government will continue to work to ensure that every child has the opportunity to attend
a good school and that all schools are fairly funded. My ministers will work to ensure people
have the skills they need for the high-skilled, high-wage jobs of the future, including through
a major reform of technical education.
The National Living Wage will be increased so that people who are on the lowest pay benefit
from the same improvements in earnings as higher paid workers. My ministers will seek
to enhance rights and protections in the modern workplace.
My government will make further progress to tackle the gender pay gap and discrimination
against people on the basis of their race, faith, gender, disability or sexual orientation.
Legislation will be brought forward to protect the victims of domestic violence and abuse.
My government will reform mental health legislation and ensure that mental health is prioritised
in the National Health Service in England.
Proposals will be brought forward to ban unfair tenant fees, promote fairness and transparency
in the housing market, and help ensure more homes are built.
My ministers will work to improve social care and will bring forward proposals for consultation.
My government will ensure fairer markets for consumers, this will include bringing forward
measures to help tackle unfair practices in the energy market to help reduce energy bills.
A priority will be to build a more united country, strengthening the social, economic
and cultural bonds between England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
My government will work in cooperation with the devolved administrations, and it will
work with all of the parties in Northern Ireland to support the return of devolved government.
A new law will ensure that the United Kingdom retains its world-class regime protecting
personal data, and proposals for a new digital charter will be brought forward to ensure
that the United Kingdom is the safest place to be online.
Legislation will also be introduced to modernise the courts system and to help reduce motor
insurance premiums.
My government will initiate a full public inquiry into the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower
to ascertain the causes, and ensure that the appropriate lessons are learnt.
To support victims, my government will take forward measures to introduce an independent
public advocate, who will act for bereaved families after a public disaster and support
them at public inquests.
My ministers will continue to invest in our gallant Armed Forces, meeting the NATO commitment
to spend at least two per cent of national income on defence, and delivering on the Armed
Forces Covenant across the United Kingdom.
My government will bring forward proposals to ensure that critical national infrastructure
is protected to safeguard national security.
A commission for countering extremism will be established to support the government in
stamping out extremist ideology in all its forms, both across society and on the internet,
so it is denied a safe space to spread.
In the light of the terrorist attacks in Manchester and London, my government’s counter-terrorism
strategy will be reviewed to ensure that the police and security services have all the
powers they need, and that the length of custodial sentences for terrorism-related offences are
sufficient to keep the population safe.
My ministers will ensure that the United Kingdom’s leading role on the world stage is maintained
and enhanced as it leaves the European Union.
As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, committed to spending zero
point seven per cent of national income on international development, my government will
continue to drive international efforts that increase global security and project British
values around the world.
My government will work to find sustainable political solutions to conflicts across the
Middle East. It will work to tackle the threat of terrorism at source by continuing the United
Kingdom’s leading role in international military action to destroy Daesh in Iraq and
Syria. It will also lead efforts to reform the international system to improve the United
Kingdom’s ability to tackle mass migration, alleviate poverty, and end modern slavery.
My government will continue to support international action against climate change, including the
implementation of the Paris Agreement.
Prince Philip and I look forward to welcoming Their Majesties King Felipe and Queen Letizia
of Spain on a State Visit in July.
My government will host the Commonwealth Summit in April of next year to cement its relevance
to this, and future generations.
Members of the House of Commons:
Estimates for the public services will be laid before you.
My Lords and Members of the House of Commons:
Other measures will be laid before you.
I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your counsels.