Isle of Wight Conservative MP, Andrew Turner’s office share this latest news. Ed
On Wednesday 18th May HM The Queen’s Speech took place in Westminster. The focus this year was to deliver security for working people and continue working to ensure the UK lives within its means. The Government sees the next parliamentary year as an important step in achieving its long-term economic plan.
Commenting on the speech the Island’s MP, Andrew Turner, said:
“This year’s Queen’s Speech builds on our long-term commitments to Britain. The Government has promised to strengthen the economy, deliver security and cut down on abuse of our welfare system. I would particularly like to highlight three pieces of legislation: the NHS Overseas Visitors Charging Bill, the Education for All Bill and finally fighting corruption and tax evasion in the Criminal Finances Bill.
“The NHS should be open and available for all those eligible to receive treatment; but openness can also cause abuse. We have already introduced measures to prevent health tourism, but there is more to be done. The proposed Bill will deliver our manifesto commitment to recover £500 million from migrants who use the NHS. We will be able to do so using tighter residency rules and by charging oversea visitors and migrants for services they are not entitled to.
“Safeguarding the NHS is also the subject of an amendment that has been tabled by the Conservative former health secretary Peter Lilley MP, which I have added my name to. The amendment expresses regret that there was no Bill to exclude the NHS from the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), the EU-US free trade agreement that is under negotiation. As the TTIP is being negotiated we do not know what is on the table, and that concerns me and many others. This is the reason why around 25 Conservative members, myself included, have joined forces with SNP and Labour Members on this amendment.
“I was concerned about making all schools academies, but recent changes to the proposed legislation has made me more confident that the Bill will deliver better schools, where every school can benefit from freedom and accountability as and when they are ready for it. The Education for All Bill will deliver a fair national funding formula and ensure great teaching across England.
“In the last parliamentary year we introduced changes to tackle tax evasion. The Criminal Finance Bill proposes a new law that will hold companies criminally liable if they do not stop their employees facilitating tax evasion. The Government will also take a stronger grip on fighting corruption by refocussing the Suspicious Activity Reports regime so that there will be more emphasis on tackling systemic money laundering.”
Although it is The Queen who reads the speech from the Throne, it is written by the Government. The parliamentary session formally starts once the Queen has left Parliament and both the House of Commons and the House of Lords debate the contents of the speech for several days.
