A fairer future for Derby

This last week in Parliament we had the traditional occasion of the Queen's Speech ceremony. It is a uniquely British event where the Queen reads out the Government's legislation.  But behind the pomp and ceremony is important news for Derby.

This Government will go on taking urgent action now to give people real help to get through these difficult times.   To choose to do nothing, as the Conservatives propose, would be to abandon communities to be scarred by unemployment and families to be broken by poverty.

During the debate on the Queen's speech the Prime Minister announced the Homeowners Mortgage Support Scheme.  This is for hard-working people worried about losing their homes because of a redundancy or a significant loss of employment income as a result of the downturn. They will be able to defer interest payments for up to two years while they get their family finances back on track. This will protect those in work as well as out of work and at a higher level of income.

Our test is to meet the needs of hard working people fairly, while making the right long term decisions to prepare and equip our country for the future. This Queen's Speech sets out measures that will enable Britain to build a fairer future for all.

Our determination is that Britain is a country of fair chances where hard work is rewarded. So we will provide real help for communities with investment in reformed public services to support the economy. This means fairness for everyone through lifelong access to education, training and apprenticeships, as well as a health service that meets the needs of all patients.

Our commitment to a fair chance for all will be taken forward in bills to eradicate child poverty, to promote equality, to promote excellence in schools, and give our young people the skills and education to equip them for future challenges.  Sixty years after Labour founded the NHS we will protect it and make it stronger through the Health Bill.

Fair rules are about making sure that if you can’t or won’t contribute to this society, you don't get rewarded.  Fair rules mean that if you can work, you must work.  We will help people make the most of their potential and the Welfare Reform Bill will help people find work.

A fairer future is built on communities where fair rules apply to all and where everyone can have a fair say. People need to know that there are clear rules in place which are seen to be fair, enforced and making a difference – on the streets and in the boardroom.

That means fairness for communities that want a crackdown on crime, a fairer say in how their communities are policed, tougher measures on crime and punishment and migrants that play by the rules.  Our package of laws will help promote fair rules with tough measures to punish and prevent crime. We will strengthen the border and ensure earned citizenship.

There will be fairness for all the savers who have worked hard to put money away for a rainy day, through new rules to stop banks getting into trouble alongside new protections for their savings if they do.  We are taking action now and the bills set out in the Queen’s Speech will strengthen the financial sector through the Banking Bill, support families and those on lower incomes to save through the Saving Gateway Accounts Bill and support local regeneration and housing.

And strengthening the fair rules, fair chances and fair futures is the commitment to give people a fair say over the decisions that affect their lives. And a fair say for all means we have bills to give parents, patients and the public greater control over the services they use.

So there was a lot in the Queen's Speech for people in Derby.  I'll make sure I keep you up to date with how things progress.

Bob Laxton MP

Derby North