New government laws and plans revealed in agenda-setting speech

The UK Government will set out its plans for new laws in a speech delivered by the Prince of Wales, on behalf of the Queen, to MPs and peers.

The prince will read the agenda-setting speech as part of the formal State Opening of Parliament.

The speech is written by ministers and details the government’s plans for new laws.

It is due to be read in the House of Lords as part of the ceremonial opening of Parliament.

The government is expected to use the speech to bring forward changes to Northern Ireland’s post-Brexit trading arrangements.

However, Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab refused on Sunday to say whether new measures would be included.

“What we’re going to be focusing on this week is what our plans are to drive up the economy, protect the cost of living,” Mr Raab told Sky News.

He added: “We’re going to be talking about reforming the agricultural sector, innovation to create cheaper, healthier food.

“We’re going to be talking about areas where Britain has a real comparative advantage, tech, financial services.”

Reports of proposed changes come as the government grapples with the implications of Sinn Fein’s success in the Stormont Assembly elections.

The prime minister has also said he has plans for a “super seven” set of Bills aimed at changing laws the UK inherited from the EU.

According to the Sunday Express, a new Brexit Freedoms Bill will aim to cut EU regulatory “red tape” which remains in UK law after leaving the trading bloc.

A coming Procurement Bill is reportedly aimed at giving small and medium sized businesses a better opportunity to compete for government contracts, and there are also plans to boost animal welfare and crack down on puppy smuggling.

However, the Times has reported that plans to ban imports of foie gras and fur clothing to the UK have been scrapped from the speech, in an attempt by Boris Johnson to shore up support from the Tory right wing.

Mr Raab has indicated the government wants to replace the Human Rights Act with a British Bill of Rights.

Ministers will crack down on truancy, beef up the powers of education watchdogs and reform the funding system in new legislation to create “a school system that works for every child”.

A Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill is expected to give local leaders new powers to rejuvenate high streets, by forcing landlords to rent out empty shop units.

Plans to privatise Channel 4, announced in April, are part of a wider series of reforms proposed for the UK’s broadcasting landscape.

The Queen will miss the State Opening of Parliament.