This week the Queen set out the Government's programme for the year ahead as we emerge from the Coronavirus pandemic. Central to the speech was a focus on levelling up across all parts of the UK through jobs, economic growth and support for businesses.
Throughout the speech there was a clear emphasis on unleashing the full potential of people and places across the country, through levelling up across the UK, boosting jobs, driving growth and innovation, increasing opportunity for everyone, and ensuring everyone has access to excellent public services, regardless of where they live. To achieve this the Government will publish a landmark Levelling Up White Paper which will set out bold new policy interventions that grasp the opportunities of Brexit to improve livelihoods in all parts of the UK as we recover from the pandemic.
One of the areas which the Government will focus on is skills, which has already been demonstrated through the landmark Kickstart scheme, the launch of T-Level qualifications and skills courses. The Queen's speech included the Government's new Lifetime Skills Guarantee and a post-16 and adult education training system that is fit for the future.
Robbie Moore MP has been a strong proponent of skills training across the Keighley and Ilkley constituency, supporting local organisations in achieving this including Keighley College and Veritas Assessment and Training Solutions.
Amongst the announcement's made in the speech:
- a new student finance system to transform the current student loans system, which will give every adult access to a flexible loan for higher-level education and training at university or college, useable at any point in their lives
- Reforming our rail and bus networks to deliver a better, greener and more reliable service for passengers, including simpler fares.
- Bringing forward a draft Victims Bill, which will place the simplified and stronger set of rights for victims, set out in the new Victims’ Code, on a statutory footing.
- Introducing the New Plan for Immigration legislation, which will better protect and support those in genuine need of asylum, deter illegal entry into the UK, break the business model of criminal trafficking networks and protect the lives of those they endanger, and remove more easily from the UK those with no right to be here.
Commenting Robbie Moore MP said: "The Queen's speech is about opportunity and aspiration for all through levelling up all parts of our United Kingdom. The policies announced in the Queen’s speech are very important for my constituents across Keighley and Ilkley and will have benefits for all.
“The last 5 years have been dominated by Brexit and Covid. As Brexit has now been delivered and put to bed, as well as the success of the vaccine rollout programme, we can start to focus our efforts on this exciting chapter for our nation and get on with delivering on the people’s priorities.
“Speaking with leaders from across the Keighley and Ilkley constituency over the last few months, it has been clear that a bold and innovative agenda is needed as we move on from Covid and into this relatively new decade. That is what this Queen’s speech delivers. I am confident that Keighley and Ilkley will embrace this new focus on skills training and levelling up jobs and opportunities for everyone."
