Richard Harrington, MP for Watford, has welcomed the announcement of the Government’s legislative programme for the year ahead, announced by HM The Queen to Parliament today (18 May 2016).
Proposals announced today include those aimed at increasing the life chances of the most disadvantaged in our country. Looked-after children who often achieve some of the worst exam results and have a high chance of ending up in prison will benefit from the forthcoming Children and Social Work Bill, to improve social work, increase opportunities for looked-after young people and encourage permanent adoptions.
The Government will continue to expand the academies programme in the poorest local authority areas and introduce a fairer funding formula, which will benefit Hertfordshire as it has been historically underfunded compared to other local authority areas. The very popular National Citizens Service will be expanded so that more young people can have the opportunity to benefit from the experience.
Prison reform proposals will encourage the rehabilitation of prisoners and help offenders and ex-offenders to rebuild their lives, reducing the risk of re-offending on release.
A new Help to Save Scheme and Lifetime ISA for young people was announced, so that people across the country can have better financial security.
The Neighbourhood Planning and Infrastructure Bill will reform planning so that we can build more houses and give everyone the chance to own their own home. Further devolution to local authorities is also planned and councils will be able keep the business rates they collect, encouraging policies to revive high streets.
Several new laws will be introduced to keep our country safe, including a British Bill of Rights, a Counter-Extremism and Safeguarding Bill, Criminal Finances Bill to crack down on money laundering and corruption. The Policing and Crime Bill will increase public confidence in police complaints procedures and the Investigatory Powers Bill will enable law enforcement agencies to protect the public in a digital age, and provide safeguards about the use of investigatory powers.
Speaking about the proposals announced today Richard said: “This programme is good for Watford and for the UK, it has our young people at its heart with proposals to help looked-after children, improve schools and help them save for and buy a home. The proposals announced will also keep us safe in a world of changing threats and