Western Daily Press

From cost of living crisis’

-

Europe since 1945” are causing disruption around the world, with all major economies facing cost-of-living pressures.

“No country is immune and no government can realistica­lly shield everyone from the impact,” Mr Johnson said.

The Queen’s mobility problems meant she missed the lavish State

Opening of Parliament ceremony for the first time in 59 years, with the Prince of Wales delivering the traditiona­l speech setting out the Government’s legislativ­e programme.

In the West, Bath Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse said: “This Queen’s speech does nothing to help the millions of households facing soaring bills and inflation. Climate change was not mentioned once although there was an energy bill. Rural communitie­s have also been completely forgotten. From Somerset to Westmorlan­d, people used the local elections to make that crystal clear.”

Ian Mean, Business West Gloucester­shire director, said: “I would question if government are doing enough to avoid stagflatio­n and the slowing of economic growth. And I would say there must now be increasing pressure for an emergency Budget as the British Chambers of Commerce – of which Business West is a major player – called for earlier this week.”

Child Poverty Action Group chief executive Alison Garnham said “this speech was a far cry from what struggling families needed to hear today”, offering “no short-term comfort for parents struggling to feed their kids in the face of rocketing prices”.

But the Confederat­ion of British Industry’s Matthew Fell said: “Firms looking for the Government to address the cost-of-living crisis by growing the economy will be encouraged by the ambition in the Queen’s Speech”.

This Queen’s speech does nothing to help the millions of households facing soaring bills and inflation MP WERA HOBHOUSE

 ?? Ben Stansall - WPA Pool/Getty Images ?? The House of Lords chamber, during the State Opening of Parliament, at the Palace of Westminste­r yesterday in London
Ben Stansall - WPA Pool/Getty Images The House of Lords chamber, during the State Opening of Parliament, at the Palace of Westminste­r yesterday in London
 ?? Toby Melville/PA ?? Prime Minister Boris Johnson, right, with the leader of the Labour Party Keir Starmer walk through the Members’ Lobby at the Palace of Westminste­r ahead of the State Opening
Toby Melville/PA Prime Minister Boris Johnson, right, with the leader of the Labour Party Keir Starmer walk through the Members’ Lobby at the Palace of Westminste­r ahead of the State Opening

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom