The Queen's Speech outlining the bills for the new session of Parliament was made on 3 December 2008.
Bills of particular relevance to children and young People in Wales include:
Borders, Immigration and Citizenship Bill - The Bill will replace all existing immigration legislation and aims to simplify the management of migration, border control, and the path to UK citizenship. It will bring in a new duty on the UK Border Agency to recognise the need to safeguard children's welfare. Applies to the whole UK.
Child Poverty Bill - Enshrines in law the commitment to eradicate child poverty by 2020
Equality Bill - The legislation will consolidate nine existing equality laws into one.
Policing and Crime Bill – Promises tighter controls around the misuse of alcohol. The bill also says it will strengthen sex offender prevention orders and foreign travel orders.
Saving Gateway Accounts Bill - The Bill is aimed at getting people on lower incomes to save more. The government will contribute 50 pence for every one pound saved - with savers able to build up government contributions of up to £300.
Welfare Reform Bill - The Bill aims to create greater incentives for people to move from benefits into work and consequences for those who do not. It also aims to strengthen requirements of non-resident parents to contribute to their children’s upbringing and to modernise and simplify the benefits system, and to provide more employment choices for people with disabilities.
To view a transcript of the speech please see Parliament’s website.