Queens Speech Outlines Governments Agenda

Yesterdays Queens speech has put apprenticeships, housing and a new planning system at the heart of the governments legislative agenda for 2008.

The draft Apprenticeships Bill will give extra duties and responsibilities to Learning and Skills Councils to provide 500,000 apprenticeships by 2020.

The Planning Reform Bill will introduce a single consents regime making it easier for major infrastructure projects such as airports and new towns to receive approval.

The Housing Bill will allow for the introduction the new Homes and Communities Agency, which will take over the responsibilities of English Partnerships and the Housing Corporation clearing the way for some 3 millions new homes by 2020.

Also on the agenda was the Climate Change Bill, which will legally bind government to a 60% carbon reduction target by 2050 and as expected Gordon Brown has dropped the Planning Gain Supplement Bill from the Agenda.

To read about all areas of the speech click here