Debate on the Address

Chris Bryant Lab

Rhondda

Questions the fairness of firing and rehiring employees during economic recovery.

Gareth Thomas Lab Co-op

Harrow West

Raises concerns about youth unemployment and criticises the lack of measures in the Queen’s Speech to address this issue, pointing out that only 5% of unemployed young people are being helped by the kickstart scheme.

Toby Perkins Lab

Chesterfield

Questions the Chancellor about restoring international development aid targets and suggests an alternative apprenticeship wage subsidy proposal from Labour to tackle youth unemployment.

Andrew Mitchell Con

Sutton Coldfield

Supports the economic recovery plan and questions whether there are any Thatcherites left in the Government regarding a smaller state, deregulation, and lower taxes post-recovery.

Peter Kyle Lab

Hove and Portslade

Asks why Britain's recession was worse than other G7 countries during the pandemic and inquires about loan repayment flexibility for businesses.

Jim Shannon DUP

Strangford

Inquires about flexible repayment schemes for companies that took out covid loans to ensure their survival post-lockdown.

Karin Smyth Lab

Bristol South

Questions the Chancellor's commitment to working with the new West of England Mayor to deliver on job, green jobs, and community integration promises.

Kevin Hollinrake Con

Thirsk and Malton

Asked Rachel Reeves for evidence of MPs pocketing money.

Rosie Winterton

Clarified that Kevin Hollinrake's point was not a point of order but part of the debate. She stated that if the shadow Chancellor needed to respond, she would do so.

Toby Perkins Lab

Chesterfield

Agreed with Rosie Winterton and added that the Government's policies are ones they have voted for over 10 years.

Stephen Flynn SNP

Aberdeen South

Congratulated Rachel Reeves on her role. Criticised the Conservative mandate in Scotland, noting their use of it to drag Scotland out of the EU and suppress voting rights through photo ID requirements. Highlighted the Scottish Parliament election results: SNP won 47.7% of the vote and 62 seats, while Conservatives won 21% and five seats.

Chris Matheson

Acknowledged Stephen Flynn's passionate speech but urged him to focus on criticising the Conservatives for their Queen’s Speech rather than repeating usual rhetoric.

Christine Jardine Lib Dem

Edinburgh West

Asked Stephen Flynn to acknowledge that about half of Scotland did not vote for independence or the SNP in the recent election.

Kevin Hollinrake Con

Thirsk and Malton

Noted that average UK GDP growth has been 2% a year, while in Scotland it has been 1.2%. Asked Stephen Flynn what he would do to drive the Scottish economy to grow more quickly.

Theresa Villiers Con

Down South

Welcomed the Queen’s Speech, focusing on economic recovery and levelling up opportunities across the country. She supported proposals for skill development, infrastructure upgrades including 5G and broadband, green jobs creation in future industries, leadership in life sciences and new medicines. Villiers also welcomed the return of the Environment Bill for rigorous targets on nature protection and air quality, ending live animal exports, but raised caution over planning reform that could remove local democratic input into growth zones.

David Davis Con

Goole and Pocklington

Congratulated the Government on its ambitious agenda, including record increases in research spending, freeport programme, and bold infrastructure plans. He expressed serious concerns about several aspects of the Queen’s Speech, particularly the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill which he believes reverses 2017 reforms to police bail conditions and could lead to pre-crime data collection. Davis also raised issues with proposals that threaten the right to protest and called for adherence to court rulings on illegal activities by the Government.

Andrew Mitchell Con

Sutton Coldfield

Supported Andy Street's election as Mayor of West Midlands. Emphasised the importance of levelling up, both geographically and generationaly. Advocated for continued devolution of power to the region. Urged the Chancellor to maintain the 0.7% aid target, citing damage to Britain's reputation and the world's poorest people. Called for social care reform based on Sir Andrew Dilnot’s work and expressed support for assisted dying with strict legal boundaries.

Gareth Thomas Lab Co-op

Harrow West

I strongly share the view that reducing our national income spent on development is wrong. It damages Britain’s reputation and programmes such as girls’ education, hindering global efforts against covid. Financial mutuals are critical for financial stability and quality of life, but their role has been overshadowed by traditional banking practices. Mutuals need modernisation to prevent further consolidation in the market and demutualisation, which risks community assets. The proposed overhaul of the English planning system is concerning as it reduces local control over development.

Damian Hinds Con

East Hampshire

Welcomes focus on jobs, skills, progression and careers in Queen's Speech. Emphasises importance of productivity improvement despite economic recovery. Supports programmes like kickstart for youth unemployment and highlights challenges with adult education and technical qualifications. Discusses impact of technological advancements and the need for flexible learning options through reforms such as T-levels and apprenticeships.

Christine Jardine Lib Dem

Edinburgh West

The Liberal Democrats criticise the Government for missing an opportunity to bring forward an employment Bill in the Queen’s Speech. They highlight that the economy has shrunk by 8.7% since before the pandemic and unemployment is at 4.9%. The party proposes new protection for vulnerable workers, particularly those in the gig economy, and calls for small businesses to be supported with a revenue compensation scheme covering up to 80% of their fixed costs. They also advocate for asylum seekers having the right to work and for NHS staff on visas to receive indefinite leave to remain as a thank you for their contributions during the pandemic.

Jeremy Wright Con

Kenilworth and Southam

Welcomes the draft Online Safety Bill, acknowledging that it is not an assault on freedom of speech but rather a way to address safety issues online. He expresses hope that any reduction in overseas aid spending is temporary and urges for clarification regarding future aid commitments. Wright also discusses social care reform, emphasising the need for political bravery and collective responsibility across parties to implement necessary changes.

Dan Jarvis Lab

Barnsley North

The Government’s flagship levelling-up fund is worth significantly less than the local growth fund it replaced. It puts the Chancellor’s Richmondshire constituency in a higher category of need than places such as Barnsley and Sheffield. A third of the English areas it will support are not among the top third of the most deprived regions. The vast majority of them are Conservative areas: penny pinching, pork barrel politics dressed up as transformation. It is a confidence trick. We cannot level up without a clear goal and a coherent plan to get there. The Government are yet to even define levelling up beyond vague aspiration. Their investments are scattershot, not strategic.

Andrew Bowie Con

West Aberdeanshire and Kincardine

I rise to welcome the measures announced yesterday in the Gracious Speech, and I do so in the wake of a hard-fought Scottish parliamentary election. The subject of today’s debate is jobs, which is apt because no single action by this Government, other than our incredible vaccine roll-out, has demonstrated the strength and flexibility—the broad shoulders—of our UK more than the job retention scheme, which has saved close to 1 million Scottish jobs since it was launched. That is an incredible achievement, and one of which we can be rightly proud. But now, as we look to recovery, it is time to be bold and to invest in new technologies and unleash the full potential of people and places across the UK.

Marion Fellows SNP

West Dunbartonshire

The speaker criticises the current Queen’s Speech for not addressing employment issues and disability, particularly the failure to deliver on the promised Employment Bill. She highlights that people with disabilities account for 20% of the UK population but are often left behind in employment opportunities. The Government is urged to ensure accessibility in employment schemes such as Kickstart and Restart, mandate disclosure of disability pay gap information, improve statutory sick pay, promote flexible working hours, and provide guidance on reasonable adjustments. She also emphasises the importance of devolving employment law to Scotland and providing financial support for disabled people.

Eleanor Laing Con

Epping Forest

The speaker interrupts Marion Fellows, noting that she has exceeded her time limit in the debate.

Tobias Ellwood Con

Bournemouth East

Ellwood addresses the significance of returning to normalcy following the pandemic and expresses optimism about the Conservative Party’s electoral success. He stresses the importance of proving that ‘levelling up’ is a philosophy rather than just a slogan, referencing specific legislation in the Queen's Speech related to Northern Ireland veterans and truth and reconciliation processes. He also highlights global challenges such as increasing threats from adversaries and competitors post-covid-19, urging the Prime Minister to use this opportunity to rebuild Britain and play a stronger leadership role internationally.

Grahame Morris Lab

Easington

The Government have turned their back on workers’ rights in the package of Bills announced yesterday, but I hope that in the private Members’ Bill ballot, which is opening shortly, we have the opportunity to bring forward a Bill to ban the appalling and increasingly common practice of industrial blackmail that is fire and rehire. Many ordinary working people are suffering, so yesterday I was proud to join Unite members, representatives and officers, and Labour MPs to make it plain that we stand with working people.

Kevin Hollinrake Con

Thirsk and Malton

The scale of the challenge of levelling up is huge. The economic disparity in productivity and economic output per capita between the north-east and London and the south-east is, in relative terms, as large as it was between East Germany and West Germany prior to reunification. It took 30 years and $2 trillion in investment and incentives for businesses to narrow that gap. This cannot be done just by public sector spending; the private sector has to invest too.

Caroline Lucas Green

Brighton Pavilion

The Green MP highlighted the lack of ambition in the Queen’s Speech and called for a comprehensive legislative programme to address climate change, ecological crisis, job creation through green initiatives, business reform, and economic reorientation towards wellbeing. She emphasised the importance of cross-party collaboration and detailed four specific Bills that she believes are necessary for a sustainable recovery.

Giles Watling Con

Clacton

The Conservative MP welcomed several measures in the Queen’s Speech, including job support schemes and freeports. He particularly highlighted the importance of the lifetime skills guarantee for areas reliant on tourism like Clacton, advocating for continued support to help businesses recover from the pandemic's impact.

Toby Perkins Lab

Chesterfield

The hon. Member for Chesterfield argues that the government's current policies are incoherent and unfulfilled promises from previous years, such as apprenticeship levies leading to fewer apprenticeships and underfunding adult education. He criticises HS2 progress and Brexit’s impact on small businesses’ trading capabilities.

Kevin Hollinrake Con

Thirsk and Malton

The hon. Member for Thirsk and Malton responds to the criticism, urging political differences to be set aside and stressing decades of underinvestment as the cause of current issues.

George Freeman Con

Mid Norfolk

The hon. Member for Mid Norfolk commends the Chancellor's response to the pandemic, highlighting support measures such as employment help and economic relief. He also supports science investments mentioned in the Queen’s Speech and discusses debt repayment through innovation and growth.

Jessica Morden Lab

Newport East

The Opposition called for a transformative Queen’s Speech but was disappointed by the lack of ambition and concrete plans. Jessica Morden highlighted the absence of an employment Bill to combat insecure work practices, such as 'fire and rehire,' which has affected constituents like those at British Gas. She also criticised the lack of support for the steel industry in Newport East, urging action on industrial energy costs and securing government contracts for local manufacturers. Additionally, she expressed disappointment over the failure to reform the benefits system for terminally ill people, pointing out the cruel rules forcing terminally ill individuals to grapple with a complex welfare system. She also criticised the Government's cuts to policing, noting that there are 23,824 fewer police personnel compared to 2010.

Simon Clarke

Simon Clarke welcomed the Queen’s Speech and highlighted several initiatives including freeports legislation aimed at boosting economic growth. He congratulated Ben Houchen for his victory in the Tees Valley mayoral election, praising the Government's plan to deliver on priorities. Clarke addressed housing shortages by advocating for sensible planning reforms that would release more land for building homes while protecting cherished green spaces. He stressed the importance of addressing the issue of supply and the need for a balanced approach, emphasising the urgency of fixing the broken housing market in southern England.

Ian Paisley Jnr DUP

North Antrim

Northern Ireland benefits from being part of the United Kingdom, with higher employment levels and a standard of living that is 20% higher than the Republic of Ireland. The Union offers significant economic advantages to Northern Ireland, particularly in terms of welfare state benefits and public sector support during crises such as the pandemic. However, the Northern Ireland protocol has created significant challenges for businesses and should be addressed urgently by invoking Article 16 to alleviate current hardships.

Mike Wood Con

Kingswinford and South Staffordshire

The Queen's Speech sets out a legislative programme aimed at levelling up the United Kingdom, addressing disparities such as Dudley’s gross value added per head which fell from 78% of the national average in 1997 to 64% by 2010. Measures include investment in infrastructure and education reforms like the skills and post-16 education Bill, aimed at closing skill gaps and improving job opportunities for local residents.

Chris Matheson Lab

City of Chester

Welcomed the Government’s commitment to ban conversion therapy but expressed concern about voter ID requirement, calling it voter suppression. Criticised the lack of proposals in the Queen’s Speech on issues such as cladding safety, leasehold reform, and environmental standards. Highlighted local government funding cuts and criticised the Government for dishonesty in implementing budget cuts. Raised concerns over fire and rehire practices in businesses during the pandemic.

Richard Fuller Con

North Bedfordshire

Defended the Queen’s Speech, arguing it reflects public trust in the Prime Minister's vision for economic opportunities post-Brexit. Emphasised the focus on value of work since 2010 and supported the skills and post-16 education Bill as a way to identify potential across various sectors. Recommended broadening scope of potential recognition, sharing risks between institutions and individuals, and promoting competition among providers. Welcomed measures in air pollution control and cautiously welcomed obesity strategies while expressing concern over impact on local businesses. Raised concerns about planning policies and the need for fiscal responsibility.

Kirsten Oswald SNP

Glasgow Anniesland

There have been many criticisms of the Queen’s Speech, particularly for omitting the promised employment Bill. The pandemic has exposed deep inequalities in the UK labour market, and instead of addressing these issues, the Government is removing even the promise of an employment Bill from their legislative programme. I propose focusing on raising worker protections, equality, and providing transitional support to mitigate the negative effects of Brexit and the furlough cliff edge. Issues such as maternal discrimination, fire and rehire tactics, flexible working rights, zero-hours contracts, and social care sector workers' protection need urgent attention. The SNP Scottish Government plans bold action for a fair national care wage with national pay bargaining, in stark contrast to the Tory promises.

Stephen Kinnock Lab

Aberafan Maesteg

Good jobs and decent working conditions are central to Labour’s mission. The desire to contribute to something greater is evident in my constituency. However, over 11 years there has been an exponential increase in job insecurity across sectors due to factors like gig economy exploitation and factory job losses. Successive Conservative Governments have failed to value workers’ contributions despite celebrating flexibility without real choice or proper investment in reskilling. The omission of the employment Bill from the Queen’s Speech is unforgivable. Labour suggests three core principles for tackling workforce insecurity: dignity at work with new legislation protecting rights, partnering with business and trade unions for future jobs, and a programme of training for future job requirements.

Wendy Chamberlain Lib Dem

North East Fife

The Government’s plans for jobs and education are criticised for failing to address the needs of disabled people, who have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. The lack of an uplift in legacy benefits is highlighted as a significant issue, with 1.9 million disabled people missing out on support. Additionally, delays in transitioning to universal credit have negatively affected many disabled individuals and exacerbated employment challenges.

Laura Farris Con

West Berkshire

Welcomes the Government’s measures for job creation, especially in science and technology sectors like defence, healthcare, and telecommunications. Highlights recruitment at Aldermaston, Vodafone Newbury, and Harwell Science Park. Supports the lifetime skills guarantee and loan entitlement to provide training opportunities regardless of age or gender, addressing underrepresentation of women in STEM fields.

Justin Madders Lab

Ellesmere Port and Bromborough

Madders criticises the Government for failing to address issues such as zero-hours contracts, employment rights, and the 'fire and rehire' practice. He emphasises the need for permanent, secure, well-paid jobs and highlights the lack of action on fire and rehire despite ACAS findings. Madders also expresses concern over the government's approach to housing development and democratic processes, questioning the motives behind recent legislation.

Mary Robinson

Robinson welcomes the Queen’s Speech, highlighting its blueprint for economic recovery post-pandemic with a focus on levelling up. She supports HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail projects to improve connectivity in northern regions. Additionally, she is optimistic about local transport improvements, education reforms, and skills development initiatives. Robinson also underscores the importance of supporting businesses and whistleblowers, stressing that these measures will contribute to a strong economic recovery.

Emma Hardy Lab

Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice

The uneven distribution of jobs has worsened due to a decade of Conservative cuts. Equality of opportunity is unachievable with the current job distribution. Other countries like Ireland are redistributing jobs through remote working, bringing opportunities to everyone regardless of location. Hull offers low-cost housing and high-speed internet, making it an ideal place for home-working revolution. The council's vision has led to regeneration projects such as the City of Culture initiative and Albion Square development. The Government should support councils in reinvesting in retail opportunities and implementing remote working policies. Additionally, legislation on fire and rehire and increased minimum wage is necessary.

Duncan Baker

The Queen's Speech focuses on recovery from the pandemic and restoring public finances through Bills supporting economic growth. The Government invested heavily in financial support packages during the pandemic, spending over £300 billion. Economic forecasts predict a faster than expected recovery with unemployment peaking at 5.5% by autumn. Investment in green industries, connectivity infrastructure, and retraining opportunities are key to rebuilding the economy. North Norfolk exemplifies high levels of domestic tourism propelling its swift economic bounce-back.

Geraint Davies

The Queen's Speech undermines fundamental British values such as democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. It attacks voter rights by requiring voter ID, allowing the Prime Minister to call elections when he likes, and weakening institutions like universities and the BBC. These changes threaten peaceful protest and devolved democracies in Wales and Scotland. The Speaker warns that these actions mark an emerging authoritarian state and urges Members to defend fundamental British values.

Marco Longhi Con

Amber Valley

Mr Longhi defended Brexit and criticised the Labour party for what he perceived as limited thinking. He emphasised his personal background, including his Italian father, to illustrate that opportunities and hard work are crucial principles of Her Majesty’s Gracious Speech. The speech highlighted the importance of education, apprenticeships, and job creation as part of the Government's vision. Additionally, it praised the NHS investment and vaccination programme.

Karin Smyth Lab

Bristol South

Ms Smyth criticised the Queen’s Speech for lacking ambition and a clear plan to address economic issues, job opportunities for young people, and social care. She highlighted concerns over the underfunding of adult social care in Bristol and called for changes to ensure better remuneration for carers. Ms Smyth also addressed the need for assisted dying laws and an apology from the Prime Minister regarding historical events in Ballymurphy.

Aaron Bell Con

Newcastle-under-Lyme

Mr Bell welcomed the Queen’s Speech, highlighting several Bills that he believed would positively impact his constituency. He discussed legislation related to business innovation, electoral integrity, and environmental protection. Mr Bell also advocated for improved regulation at Walley's Quarry in Newcastle-under-Lyme. Furthermore, he advised Labour to support measures backed by local communities, such as the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.

Charlotte Nichols Lab

Warrington North

I am glad we are now at the stage of talking about building back and not just mitigation of the worst of the pandemic. I thank the NHS for the success of the vaccine roll-out and look forward to the eligibility criteria reaching my age group later this year. Social mobility and security at work have both gone backwards over the past decade, and this has been accelerated by the pandemic. The opportunities for those who are lucky enough to have wealth, property, high-paying jobs or, indeed, the ear of Government Ministers have rarely been greater, but for people without those privileges—those stuck on benefits, surviving week to week in insecure employment, just getting by or, indeed, the millions of self-employed and others who were excluded from the Government’s pandemic support—prices outstrip wages year on year and things get tougher. An ambitious Government could do so much—from banning zero-hours contracts and fire and rehire tactics to properly supporting people in setting up their own businesses and realising their potential. I wish to focus my comments on three key sectors, the first of which is social care. The Government are again stalling their years-delayed promise to fix social care. As well as the financial hardship and heartbreak that so many families suffer, social care staff remain shockingly underpaid. Before being elected to this place, I represented social care workers as a trade union officer. They are truly dedicated and caring, doing the jobs that we choose not to, yet the average care worker in England is paid £8.80 an hour, and a third of care workers are employed on zero-hours contracts. They deserve so much more than empty applause.

Andrew Griffith Con

Arundel and South Downs

There is so much to welcome and so much ambition, yet I have so little time to welcome, on behalf of the constituents of Arundel and South Downs, what was in Her Majesty’s Speech yesterday. There were tougher sentences for dangerous drivers; fairer immigration; an ambitious environment Bill to clean our air, purify our rivers and boost biodiversity; and, for so many people, the lifetime skills guarantee, giving them a second chance at a first-class life. As a member of the Science and Technology Committee, I look forward to a record £22 billion of funding coursing through our labs and catapult and research centres while the Advanced Research and Invention Agency brings disruptive and dynamic thinking to play in that world. Every citizen and taxpayer should celebrate and quiver with excitement about our new plans to reform procurement; to cut red tape; to allow small businesses to participate on an equal footing; to allow us to buy British; and to streamline the 300 different regulations through which people who are trying to sell services to Government currently have to jump. Over the life of this Government, £1.5 trillion of spending will be procured—that is a great opportunity to improve the quality of services for our citizens and value for money for taxpayers.

Daniel Zeichner Lab

Cambridge

It is a pleasure to speak on better jobs in the week that the task of improving skills in Cambridge—indeed, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough—has been taken up by the excellent Dr Nik Johnson, our newly elected metro Mayor, and in the week that Cambridge United secured promotion to league one. No need for skills improvement there—Paul Mullin’s 32 goals are the most ever scored in a league two season, and we are very proud of the team’s success—but in the east, as elsewhere, we have a skills challenge. The Government have known for years about the skills gap. They have estimated that we will have a shortfall of some 4 million highly skilled workers across the country by 2024. Adult participation in learning is falling and continues to be unevenly distributed, with the poorest adults with the lowest qualifications still the least likely to have access to training. Under the Conservatives, the number of colleges has declined by a quarter, and we are down 350,000 further education students in the last five years.

Tom Hunt Con

Ipswich

Welcomes the Queen’s Speech and discusses issues such as tackling illegal immigration, supporting police powers for protests, improving criminal justice, promoting skills and education, and supporting a freeport in Felixstowe.

Richard Thomson SNP

Gordon

Critiques the lack of ambition in the Queen’s Speech concerning 5G coverage, broadband availability, and infrastructure spending, emphasising Scotland's need for more focused investment and support from the UK Government.

Gerald Jones Lab

Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare

Highlights concerns over fire and rehire practices in employment, criticises voter ID policies as unnecessary and discriminatory, and questions the fairness of funding criteria for Wales under levelling-up initiatives.

Paul Howell Con

Sedgefield

Jobs are crucial for the equalisation of opportunity and should be viewed holistically, supporting high-level technical jobs as well as roles in support organisations. The community infrastructure fund is a step forward but needs further support for local social infrastructure. He emphasises the development of economic hubs and rail infrastructure projects like the reinstatement of Ferryhill station to deliver more high-value jobs. Government procurement should focus on resilience and robust UK-based manufacturing, encouraging private sector investment through accelerated procurement programmes.

Catherine West Lab

Hornsey and Friern Barnet

The Queen’s Speech is inadequate for the challenges we face, lacking transformative action to ensure economic growth benefits all. She focuses on green jobs and a sustainable social care sector, criticising the lack of programmes or resource allocation to meet climate targets after scrapping the Green Homes Grant scheme. The social care sector has been underfunded due to austerity measures since 2010, leading to undervalued workers and poor quality care for residents.

Ben Spencer Con

Runnymede and Weybridge

The Queen’s Speech focuses on a strong economy through job creation and skill development. He supports the lifetime skills guarantee, which ensures education does not stop at school. Health is crucial with employment driving physical and mental wellbeing. Investment in public services, science research, and infrastructure are key to economic growth, as seen in his constituency of Runnymede and Weybridge.

Chris Stephens SNP

Glasgow South West

Stephens congratulated Humza Yousaf and Nicola Sturgeon on their re-election to Scotland’s Parliament. He expressed solidarity with the people of Gaza, Kurds in Turkey, and protesters in Colombia. The speaker criticised the lack of an employment Bill, which has rolled back on the Government's promise to boost workers' rights according to the TUC. Stephens urged for legislation ensuring written contracts, fixed-hours contracts ending zero hours, timely notice on work schedules, and definitions clarifying worker status, self-employment, and fire-and-rehire practices.

Sarah Olney Lib Dem

Richmond Park

Olney highlighted the absence of support for small businesses in the Queen's Speech. She stressed the need for debt relief measures as many businesses are struggling to pay down debts estimated at over £100 billion, with 40% describing it as unmanageable. Olney welcomed the Government’s reopening plans but criticised their long-term economic policies and lack of green growth initiatives towards achieving net zero by 2050. She emphasised the need for investment in renewable energy infrastructure.

Fay Jones

Jones celebrated James Evans' election to represent Brecon and Radnorshire, ending long-standing Liberal Democrat control. She urged the Government to prioritise hydrogen industry as a green jobs opportunity. Jones mentioned Riversimple's potential for job creation with up to 8,000 jobs by 2030 and highlighted the need for rural areas to embrace new technologies.

Paula Barker Lab

Liverpool Wavertree

The Government's failure to address the underpayment of minimum wage and fire-and-rehire practices is part of their wider neglect towards workers' rights. They have spoken extensively about 'levelling up', yet continue to leave many in precarious employment conditions, particularly in Northern towns and cities.

Gavin Newlands

The programme for government includes Bills that will make voting harder but fails to address fire-and-rehire practices. The Government has not acted despite condemning these tactics and having a report from ACAS sitting on their desks, leading to significant job losses in industries like British Gas and British Airways.

Rachel Hopkins Lab

Luton South and South Bedfordshire

The Queen's Speech failed to mention workers' rights despite the urgency of addressing issues such as zero-hours contracts, fire-and-rehire practices, and inadequate sick pay. The Government’s focus on voter ID plans while neglecting support for low-paid workers is an indication that levelling up is nothing more than a slogan.

Nicholas Fletcher Con

Don Valley

We need quality jobs that will keep aspiration alive in Doncaster. Generations have been left behind due to lack of opportunity and aspiration from local political leaders, leading to a brain drain. With the Government’s investment in research and development, we can bring new digital revolution to Doncaster.

Kim Johnson Lab

Liverpool Riverside

The Queen's Speech failed to address the widening inequalities, poverty, and insecurity faced by millions of families across the country. The Government dedicated a mere nine words to their plans for social care and have presided over a catastrophic pandemic response resulting in more than 130,000 deaths.

Kate Osborne Lab

Jarrow and Gateshead East

This Queen's Speech fails working people by not delivering on an employment Bill that would strengthen workers' rights and protections. The Government’s inaction on rogue employers using fire and rehire practices is a clear example of how they are not the party of working people.

Mick Whitley Lab

Birkenhead

The House of Commons debate is critical of the Government's lack of decisive action in building back better after the pandemic, especially regarding job creation and support for struggling public services. The speech highlights issues such as fire and rehire tactics, the inadequacy of youth employment schemes like Kickstart, and the need to prioritise green industries for future economic recovery. It also raises concerns about discriminatory voter ID laws that could disenfranchise young and BAME voters.

Richard Holden Con

Basildon and Billericay

The Conservative MP supports the Queen’s Speech, particularly its focus on levelling-up across the UK through skills and post-16 education reforms, subsidy control, and procurement practices. He also highlights other important initiatives such as NHS improvements, safer streets, immigration reform, online safety measures, and a push for policies against violence towards women and girls.

Ed Miliband Lab

Doncaster North

We have had an excellent debate with noteworthy contributions on all sides. The central question facing this Gracious Speech is whether it can rise to the moment in which we find ourselves... It has failed in the task at hand.

Kwasi Kwarteng Con

Spelthorne

The speaker criticised the opposition's view of austerity and highlighted government initiatives such as raising the national minimum wage, providing £46 billion in loans to businesses through the bounce back loan scheme, and setting ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. He also emphasised Britain's leadership role in climate change efforts and vaccine roll-out success. Kwasi Kwarteng stressed that while the opposition continues to criticise, the government sees a future full of possibilities and optimism.

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