The Secretary of State for Scotland (Danny Alexander)
The legislative programme for the first session was outlined on 25 May.
Some 16 of the 20 new Bills outlined in the Queen’s Speech in this session of Parliament contain provisions that apply to Scotland, either in full or in part.
The Government’s first priority is to reduce the budget deficit. This is a strong programme of legislation that focuses on restoring economic growth across the whole of the United Kingdom. People in Scotland will share the benefits from these measures which will support people into work and ensure confidence in the management of public finances and build a fair and family friendly economy.
Our legislation programme also contains measures to reform politics and restore trust, at Westminster and beyond. As part of these important constitutional reforms we will bring forward a Scotland Bill to implement recommendations from the final report of the Commission on Scottish Devolution, to build on and improve the current devolution settlement in Scotland.
This statement provides a summary of the legislation announced in the Queen’s Speech and its application to Scotland. It does not include draft Bills.
The Government are committed to the principles of the Sewel convention. We will work with the Scottish Government to secure consent for Bills that contain provisions requiring the consent of the Scottish Parliament.
The Bills listed in section 1 will apply to Scotland, either in full or in part. Section 2 details Bills that will not apply in Scotland.
1- Legislation applying to the United Kingdom, including Scotland either in full or in part.
Identity Documents Bill
Equitable Life Payments Scheme Bill
Office for Budget Responsibility Bill
National Insurance Contributions Bill
Parliamentary Reform Bill
Pensions and Savings Bill
Welfare Reform Bill
Freedom (Great Repeal) Bill
Financial Services Regulation Bill
Energy Security and Green Economy Bill
Public Bodies Reform Bill
Scotland Bill
European Communities (Amendment) Referendum Lock Bill
Postal Services Bill
Health Bill*
Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill*
2 - Legislation that will not apply in Scotland
Academies Bill
Local Government Bill
Education and Children’s Bill
Decentralisation and Localism Bill
There will be two additional Bills in the main programme that were not referred to in the speech (the Armed Forces Bill and the Terrorist Asset-Freezing Bill).
* relate to devolved policy but likely to contain some reserved provisions.