WEST WORCESTERSHIRE MP Harriett Baldwin has welcomed today’s Queen’s Speech which set out the Government’s agenda for the coming Parliamentary year.
Her Majesty laid out proposals aimed at strengthening the economy and increasing life chances for disadvantaged people and strengthening our national security.
Bills announced included a Digital Economy Bill, a Neighbourhood Planning and Infrastructure Bill and measures to build on the Government’s reforms of education.
Mrs Baldwin said: “This Queen’s Speech is the next step in our long-term economic plan for the country
“We will continue to bring the public finances under control so that Britain lives within its means, but also deliver the infrastructure that British business needs to carry on creating jobs, and help our country to be a world leader in the digital economy.
“The speech outlined measures to continue the transformation of education, addressing the funding issues to make sure that every child gets the chance to get the best start in life.
“I am sure Worcestershire people will also eagerly await details of the Digital Economy Bill which will outline the next steps to get every home and business access to 21st century communications links.
“This speech sets out a confident plan to keep hard-working local people safe and secure at every stage of their lives.”
However a bill which gives powers to convert under-performing schools in “unviable” local authorities to academies, was strongly criticised by teachers union chiefs.
Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union in the UK, said: “The new role for local authorities and the plan for academisation in local authorities deemed unviable or underperforming, continues the obsessive focus on structures rather than standards, despite the recent U-turn the Government was forced to make as a result of strong opposition from within its own ranks.
“This is a pointless and redundant Bill which serves no real purpose other than to seek to detract attention from the difficulties at the heart of the Conservative Party in the run up to the EU referendum.
“The most important thing is that schools should not be panicked by today’s announcements.”
