Queen’s Speech 2015: EU referendum, tax freeze and right-to-buy

The United Kingdom government's legislative plans for the following year were unveiled in the Queen's Speech to Parliament on 27 May 2015.

The proposed legislation included:

+ an EU referendum by the end of 2017
+ a ban on income tax, VAT and national insurance increases for five years
+ 30 hours free childcare a week for three and four-year-olds by 2017
+ cutting the total amount one household can claim in benefits from £26,000 to £23,000
+ more devolution for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as 'English votes for English laws' at Westminster
+ 500 more free schools and more failing and 'coasting' schools turned into Academies
+ a ban on so-called legal highs
+ an NHS Service which works effectively 7 days a week by 2020

However, the prime minister David Cameron delayed plans to scrap the Human Rights Act to avoid a potential confrontation with his own backbenchers.

Instead, the government was set to bring forward proposals for a British Bill of Rights to replace the Human Rights Act, with legislation expected following consultation later in the parliament.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Cameron will 'look at' proposals for further Scottish devolution http://www.europeansources.info/record/cameron-will-look-at-proposals-for-further-scottish-devolution/

BBC News, 27.05.15: Queen's Speech 2015: Bill-by-bill http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-32898443

The Telegraph, 27.05.15: Who writes the Queen's speech and all you need to know about the bills which will shape the next parliament http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/11629605/The-Queens-Speech-Everything-you-need-to-know.html

The Telegraph, 27.05.15: Queen's Speech: David Cameron pledges tax cuts but delays scrapping Human Rights Act http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/queens-speech/11631597/Queens-Speech-David-Cameron-pledges-tax-cuts-but-delays-scrapping-Human-Rights-Act.html

ESO: Background information: Why abolishing the Human Rights Act will be a rough ride for Michael Gove http://www.europeansources.info/record/why-abolishing-the-human-rights-act-will-be-a-rough-ride-for-michael-gove/

BBC News, 27.05.15: Queen's Speech 2015: Scotland to control 40% of tax and 60% of public spending http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-32889961

EurActiv, 27.05.15: Queen to unveil EU referendum plan at parliament opening http://www.euractiv.com/sections/uk-europe/queen-unveil-eu-referendum-plans-uk-parliament-opens-314858

UK: Parliament: News 27.05.15: State Opening of Parliament 2015 http://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2015/may/state-opening-of-parliament-2015/

UK: GOV.UK: Cabinet Office: Speech, 27.05.15: Queen’s Speech 2015 https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/queens-speech-2015

Politico, 27.05.15: The great-grandmother’s speech http://www.politico.eu/article/the-great-grandmothers-speech/

EurActiv, 27.05.15: Queen Elizabeth paves way for Cameron's EU referendum plan http://www.euractiv.com/sections/uk-europe/queen-elizabeth-paves-way-camerons-eu-referendum-plan-314902

ESO: Background information: Brits will be able to vote 'Yes' to the EU http://www.europeansources.info/record/brits-will-be-able-to-vote-yes-to-the-eu/

Politico, 27.05.15: The Queen does Cameron’s bidding http://www.politico.eu/article/the-queen-and-camerons-constitution-quest/

The Conversation, 28.05.15: EU referendum: what we learned from the Queen’s speech https://theconversation.com/eu-referendum-what-we-learned-from-the-queens-speech-42429

ESO: Background information: European Union Referendum Bill 2015-16 http://www.europeansources.info/record/european-union-referendum-bill-2015-16/

Cicero Group: A Conservative Agenda. A Cicero Group analysis of the 2015 Queen’s Speech, May 2015 http://cicero-group.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Queens-Speech-2015.pdf

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