This is not a complete guide to everything the coalition will do in 2012/13; many of the government’s actions do not need fresh laws. But here is the full list of all the legislation that ministers plan to enact in the coming Parliamentary calendar. Ministers will also reaffirm their plan to spend 0.7 per cent of GDP on aid by 2013, although there is no bill to legislate this commitment.
Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill:
- repealing unnecesary legislation and limiting state inspections of companies
- setting up a Green Investment Bank
- reforming competition law
- give extra powers to shareholders to influence executive pay
- overhaul employment tribunals
Banking Reform Bill:
- implementation of some of the Vickers report to ringfence retail and investment actitivities within banks
- changing regulation of the financial services sector
Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill:
- New independent ombudsman to ensure supermarkets treat suppliers fairly
Small Donations Bill
- charities will be able to claim additional payments on small donations
Energy Bill
- subsidies for low-carbon energy and incentives to deliver “secure, clearn and affordable electricity”
Draft Water Bill
- reform of the water industry in England and Wales
Pensions Bill
- to modernise the pension system with single tier state pension (at £140 a week) and changing state pension age to 67 between 2026 and 2028, meaning later retirement for anyone aged under 52 now. It will also commit the government to further increases as lifespans lengthen.
Public Service Pensions Bill
- legislation in line with the recommendations of the independent commission on public service pensions. Implements the cuts to pension provision agreed with unions in March.
Draft Local Audit Bill
- measures to close the Audit Commission
Children and Families Bill
- measures to improve provision for disabled children. Reform of family courts. More flexible parental leave for parents.
Draft Care and Support Bill
- a draft bill to modernise adult care and support in England. But big decisions on how to fund it (from the Dilnot report) have yet to be taken.
Electoral Registration and Administration Bill
- plan to introduce individual registration of electors
House of Lords Reform Bill
- a bill will be brought forward to reform the composition of the House of Lords. This sounds more concrete than some predicted earlier in the week.
If it goes ahead this legislation will dramatically reshape the upper chamber, finally sweeping away the last vestiges of the hereditary principle from the legislature – and replacing appointed peers with elected senators. But the process would not be complete until 2030.
Crime and Courts Bill
- A new National Crime Agency due to start work in 2013 tackling serious and organised crime and strengthening border security also introduces an offence of drug-driving and modernises the court system and the process for appointing judges in England and Wales
Defamation Bill
- legislation to protect freedom of speech and reform defamation law
Justice and Security Bill
- secret courts to hear evidence in cases involving national security
Draft Communications Data Bill
- will allow intelligence agencies to access emails (although not their content). This is one of the most controversial policies in the speech.
European Union Bill
- this will seek Parliament’s approval for the agreed financial stability mechanism within the Eurozone; ensuring the UK is exempt from future bailouts.
Croatia Accession Bill
- government will see the approval of Parliament on the accession of Croatia to the EU
additional reporting: Fiona Symon
Jim Pickard
Kiran Stacey