UNISONActive is an unofficial blog produced by UNISON activists for UNISON activists. Bringing news, briefings and events from a progressive left perspective.

Tuesday 25 May 2010

Queen's Speech - What it said and what it really means for you

Analysis of QUEENS SPEECH
YOUR AT-A-GLANCE GUIDE TO WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU



WHAT THEY SAID


WHAT THEY MEANT


Office for budget responsibility bill

Sets up the OBR to take responsibility for producing budget forecasts, meaning the chancellor – who under the current arrangements is in charge of producing his own forecasts – won't be able to twist the figures.


.IN THEORY THE SEPERATION OF THE TWO WILL MEAN THAT THE TREASURY WON’T BE ABLE TO MANIPULATE THE FIGURES


National insurance contributions bill

Raises income tax allowances, so that "most people would be better off relative to the previous government's plan", funded by a rise in national insurance. Reallocates tax worth around £9bn.


A LIB DEM MEASURE, LIFTING THE POOREST TAXPAYERS OUT OF THE TAX SYSTEM.
The devil will be in the detail


Financial reform bill

Gives the Bank of England control over macro-prudential regulation in the City. Not clear yet what will happen to the fate of the Financial Services Authority


The BANK OF ENGLAND, THAT FAILED TO SEE THE FINANCIAL CRISIS THAT WAS ON THE WAY A MERE 2 YEARS AGO, WILL NOW OVERSEE THE CITY. SO THAT’S ALL RIGHT THEN


Postal services bill

Allows the sale of part of the Royal Mail, in line with the plans originally drawn up by Lord Mandelson. The exact proportion being sold has not been specified


See any of the excellent publications from the CWU as to why this is a bad idea

http://www.cwu.org/news/archive/privatisation-back-to-old-politics .hmtl


Welfare reform bill

Simplifies the welfare and benefits system, improving work incentives and "removing the confusing complexity of the benefits system".


INCENTIVISING WORK USUALLY ONLY MEANS ONE THING- CUTTING BENEFITS. IN AN ECONOMY WHERE JOBLESS TOTALS ARE SET TO RISE THE ONLY ECONOMIES AVAILABLE WILL BE THROUGH CUTTING ENTITLEMENTS TO BENEFITS.-EXPECT " WORKFARE SCHEMES"

http://www.unison.org.uk/acrobat.b4309.pdf


http://guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/feb/welfare-reform-bill-uk


Pensions and savings bill

Implements the findings of the review of the state pension age being conducted by the government. Currently the state pension age will increase to 66 after 2024. The review will propose bringing that forward. The bill will also restore the earnings link from 2012.


BEWARE BEING UNDER FIFTY AND EXPECT TO WORK TILL SEVENTY BEFORE LONG IF YOU WANT A STATE PENSION.
AS WORKING CLASS MEN AND WOMEN TEND TO START WORK AT AN EARLIER AGE, THIS CLEARLY DISCRIMINATES AGAINST THEM.


Academies bill

This bill will allow more schools to become academies, giving them more freedom from Whitehall.


MORE PRIVATE COMPANIES INVOLVED IN EDUCATION RATHER THAN POCAL EDUCATION AUTHORITIES, MORE TAX PAYERS MONEY GOING INTO PRIVATE POCKETS, WHAT’S MORE THE EVIDENCE IS THAT THEY ARE NO BETTER THEN THE SCHOOLS THAT THEY REPLACE


Education and children's bill

Promises to give schools greater say over what they teach and hopes to tackle bureaucracy and improve pupils' behaviour.


AND INCLUDES PLANS TO ALLOW PARENTS TO SET UP THEIR OWN SCHOOLS- EXPECT A RASH OF" FREE SCHOOLS" THROUGHOUT MIDDLE CLASS ENCLAVES TAKING RESOURCES AWAY AGAIN FROM EDUCATION AUTHORITITES

http://antiacademies,org.uk


Parliamentary reform bill

Introduces fixed-term parliaments, gives voters the right to recall MPs found guilty of serious wrongdoing and sets up a referendum on the alternative vote system.


FIRST DITCH YOUR PRINCIPLES ON PR.
THEN CHANGE THE GOALPOSTS AS TO WHEN YOU CAN BE DEFEATED.
(Oh a majority of the commons are against us?? It isn’t a big enough majority)
THEN LEGISLATE TO GUARENTEE THAT YOU CAN STAY ON POWER FOR FIVE YEARS.
DEMOCRACY ANYONE?


Decentralisation and localism bill

Gives more power to councils and neighbourhoods. Also gives residents the power to instigate referendums and veto excessive council tax increases.


FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT, A VERY DANGEROUS BILL. WHAT DOES MORE POWER MEAN WITHOUT MORE FINANCE? WHO WILL BE ABLE TO INSTIGATE REFERENDA? WHAT WILL THE MAJORITY BE?
COULD THIS BE RULE BY "TAXPAYERS ALLIANCE" ( WHOEVER THEY ARE AND WHOEVER FUNDS THEM)


Scotland bill

Implements the final report of the Calman commission, giving more devolution to Scotland.


 


IS THIS A CASE OF "BEGONE YOU SCOTTISH HORDES"

WE DIDN’T VOTE FOR THEM IN ANY CASE


Police reform and social responsibility bill

Makes the police more accountable through "directly elected individuals". The bill will also create a dedicated border police force, ensure health and safety laws do not stand in the way of "common sense policing" and overhaul the Licensing Act.


WELL THE CHIEF CONSTABLES DON’T SEEM TO LIKE IT,


Freedom (great repeal) bill

Restores freedoms and civil liberties and repeals "unnecessary" laws.


LET’S START THE CAMPAIGN TO ENSURE THE ANTI TRADE UNION LAWS ARE PART OF THIS.
PS ANY READERS OF A RELIGIOUS PERSUASION START PRAYING NOW. WE’LL NEED ALL THE HELP WE CAN GET.


Identity documents bill

Abolishes the identity card system and destroys the national identity register


A POLITE THROAT CLEARING CHEER IF IT HAPPENS


Terrorist asset-freezing bill

Gives the government firm powers to seize assets from terrorists, following a supreme court decision that quashed the previous legislation in this area.


THBE COURTS RESIST, THE GOVERNMENT PERISTS


Energy bill

Promotes energy-efficiency measures in home by introducing a "green deal" charging system, with incentives to suppliers and households to save energy. The bill may also regulate emissions from coal-fired power stations and create a green investment bank.