The Queen has just laid out what the Government intends to do for the next 12 months.

The only problem is Boris Johnson does not have a Commons majority, making the likelihood of most of the announced legislation passing before an election is called relatively slim.

That did not stop the Prime Minister from laying down some ambitious plans as part of the Queen’s speech.

Here is a breakdown of what was revealed today.

Law and order

Nearly a third of the 26 new laws announced were aimed at cracking down on crime.

The Tories want to extend time behind bars for violent and sexual offenders.

Ministers also have in place reforms to make it easier to deport foreign suspects and bids to deny parole to culprits who refuse to disclose information about their victims.

Environment

The Conservatives also want to tackle waste by using potential new laws such as a ‘takeaway tax’ on single-use plastics.

The Government will try to ban animal cruelty as well, including a consultation on stopping imports and exports from ‘trophy hunting’.

Transport

Plans were announced to radically overhaul how trains are operated by scrapping the current franchise system, following a major review into the railways.

Further legislation needed to build HS2 was also confirmed.

Brexit

The opening line of the Queen’s Speech mentioned the Government’s ‘priority’ of securing the UK’s exit from the EU by October 31.

There was also mention of a free trade deal (that has not yet been agreed with the EU), which is due to make up the content of the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill.

Bills on fishing, trade and agriculture form part of the moves to push post-Brexit arrangements on.

Health

There was confirmation about plans to beef up the NHS with already-announced investment for hospitals.

A new investigations watchdog to probe safety concerns and a medicines Bill that is designed to speed up the process of making ‘innovative’ treatments available to patients were also announced.

The Tories also promised to reform both adult social care and the Mental Health Act but no specific legislation was outlined.

Other measures included

A ‘tipping’ Bill was also presented that aimed to ensure restaurant chains did not take a large amount of tips from staff.

The continuation of the Domestic Abuse Bill to give victims better protection in their homes.

Moves to make divorce simpler for families.

Efforts to make fast broadband available to every home, making it compulsory for new homes to come with good connection speeds.

Reforms to elections by bringing in voter ID.

Continuing to honour the pledge to spend 2% of GDP on defence.

What is the Queen’s Speech?

The Queen’s Speech, which usually takes place annually, allows the government to set out their political agenda for the next Parliamentary session.

During the speech, the Queen announces laws the government wants Parliament to approve, which is televised from the House of Commons.

The queen has performed this duty more than 60 times during her 67-year reign.

Watch the Queen’s Speech live here: 

It is part of the State Opening of Parliamentary ceremony, which starts with the Queen travelling in horse-drawn carriage – the Diamond Jubilee Coach – from Buckingham Palace to Westminster.

Before departing for the occasion, Queen Elizabeth II would have received the speech, written by ministers, from the throne of the House of Lords.

Before she arrived, the priceless Imperial State Crown and other regalia used in the ceremony was brought to Parliament in a separate heavily-guarded carriage.

The crown includes 2,868 diamonds, including the Second Star of Africa diamond, and many other gems.

The crown was made for King George VI’s coronation in 1937, based on a crown designed for Queen Victoria in 1838.

As the Queen made her way over, MPs were called to the House of Commons by Black Road – a House of Lords official.

Black Rod has the doors shut in their face and knocks three times before entering the Commons, in a bid to symbolise the chamber’s independence from monarchy.

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