Boris puts the Union at heart of his blueprint for government

THE ‘integrity and prosperity of the Union’ was put at the heart of Boris Johnson’s government agenda yesterday.

Presenting the policy programme at the State Opening of Parliament, the Queen said that keeping the United Kingdom together was of the ‘utmost importance’.

She addressed parliamentarians in the House of Lords as Downing Street underlined its opposition to a second Scottish independence referendum.

It is understood Nicola Sturgeon will today set out a timeline for her plans to seek a Section 30 order from the Prime Minister which would allow her to hold a legally binding Scexit vote.

But yesterday Mr Johnson made his continued support for the Union a centrepiece of his legislative programme.

It came as the Queen unveiled the Government’s plans to overforward haul the immigration and pension systems, introduce fairer rules for hospitality workers to allow them to keep the tips they earn and set up a fair fishing system after the UK leaves the EU.

The Queen’s Speech also includes a string of pledges that will not affect Scotland – such as Helen’s Law, which will prevent killers applying for parole if they do not disclose the location of their victim’s body, and the abolition of automatic early release.

A centrepiece announcement was the reaffirmation of Mr Johnson’s commitment to the Union.

The Queen’s Speech said: ‘The integrity and prosperity of the union that binds the four nations of the United Kingdom is of the utmost importance to my Government. My ministers will bring measures to support citizens across all the nations of the United Kingdom.’

It adds up to a rebuff to Miss Sturgeon on the eve of her SNP conference speech in Aberdeen, where she is expected to set a date for seeking a Section 30 order in an effort to secure a second Scexit referendum.

Mr Johnson’s official spokesman rejected Miss Sturgeon’s call outright, saying the 2014 vote was ‘once in a generation’.

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack welcomed the Government’s tough stance on denying the SNP a divisive referendum.

He said: ‘The UK Government will continue to protect the constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom and respect the result of the 2014 referendum.

‘We are continuing to deliver for people in Scotland and measures in the Queen’s Speech will bolster the Scottish economy.

‘I am confident Scotland and the rest of the UK can look forward to a prosperous future outside the EU.’

Downing Street said the Queen’s Speech set out an ‘ambitious legislative programme’.

Of the 26 Bills put forward, 13 will have an impact on Scotland. Five – including the EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill, should Mr Johnson secure a deal with Brussels – cover Brexit. There are also include Bills covering fisheries, trade and agriculture.

UK-wide Bills also include ones on extradition, employment and the allocation of tips, pensions, air traffic management and the Windrush compensation scheme.

If passed, the Immigration Bill will end the freedom of movement of people from the EU and establish a skills-based points system for immigration from 2021. The Government said this will allow it to ‘bring in the brightest and the best’, with people permitted to live and work in the UK based on what they ‘contribute to our economy’.

The Fisheries Bill will aim to ‘build a sustainable and profitable fishing industry’ after the UK leaves the EU and the Common Fisheries Policy.

Mr Jack described the speech as ‘a bold and ambitious legislative agenda, which will make a real difference to the lives of people in Scotland’.

A series of ‘people’s priorities’ on health, education and justice were outlined but, as devolved issues, they do not apply to Scotland. Seven Bills relating to

‘Of the utmost importance’ ‘Bold and ambitious legislative agenda’

crime and justice south of the Border include proposed legislation to keep criminals in prison longer, provide better protection for victims of domestic abuse and impose tougher sentences on foreign criminals.

Last night, Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson described the Queen’s Speech as a ‘charade’.

She said: ‘Boris Johnson is pursuing a Brexit deal that will be hugely damaging for our economy, our NHS and our security.

‘There is nothing in this Queen’s speech that will bring comfort to the factory worker set to lose their job, or the families struggling to put food on the table because of his Brexit policy.’

Nationalist MP Stuart McDonald said: ‘Time and time again, the UK Government has failed to address Scotland’s economic, demographic and social needs.

‘Instead of threatening further isolationist measures, they should use this Bill to implement automatic permanent residence for EU citizens and family members already here, and devolve immigration powers to Holyrood so Scotland can have a tailored migration system.’