Queen's speech is right for a co-operative Britain
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
As the Queen read out her speech today, there were few surprises. We had seen many of the bills in draft form already and there is a clear focus on two core issues we have come to expect - to steer our economy back on track and to involve the public more in public services.
So alongside a Banking Bill, the Savings Gateway Bill will, as expected, aim to promote financial inclusion, by encouraging people to engage with financial institutions such as building societies and credit unions.
In terms of public involvement, a Local Democracy, Economic Development & Construction Bill underpins the policies announced in the White Paper 'Communities in control: real people, real power'. It "of a wider programme to put people at the heart of local decision-making, giving citizens greater influence over decisions affecting their lives and making public services more transparent and accountable to all. It also builds on a continuing programme to devolve decision making to regions and local areas, ensuring that those who best understand local circumstances are those who are able to take decisions affecting the local economy." In addition, the Policing & Crime Bill and the Health Bill specifically aim to increase public accountability in these areas. The proposed NHS constitution will encourage greater patient involvement in shaping the care they receive and enable primary care trusts to become more responsive to the needs of their local communities.
So there's a lot to engage with and a lot to help shape to ensure that government bodies do more than pay lip service to this agenda.
Overall the Queen's speech makes clear the government's aim to empower and devolve. It's an agenda we welcome.
So alongside a Banking Bill, the Savings Gateway Bill will, as expected, aim to promote financial inclusion, by encouraging people to engage with financial institutions such as building societies and credit unions.
In terms of public involvement, a Local Democracy, Economic Development & Construction Bill underpins the policies announced in the White Paper 'Communities in control: real people, real power'. It "of a wider programme to put people at the heart of local decision-making, giving citizens greater influence over decisions affecting their lives and making public services more transparent and accountable to all. It also builds on a continuing programme to devolve decision making to regions and local areas, ensuring that those who best understand local circumstances are those who are able to take decisions affecting the local economy." In addition, the Policing & Crime Bill and the Health Bill specifically aim to increase public accountability in these areas. The proposed NHS constitution will encourage greater patient involvement in shaping the care they receive and enable primary care trusts to become more responsive to the needs of their local communities.
So there's a lot to engage with and a lot to help shape to ensure that government bodies do more than pay lip service to this agenda.
Overall the Queen's speech makes clear the government's aim to empower and devolve. It's an agenda we welcome.
Labels: banking, health, housing, Labour Party, local government, parliament, police
