Government's Legislative Programme (Scotland)

Thursday 9th May 2013 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Scotland (Michael Moore)]

Thirteen of the 15 new Bills mentioned in the Queen’s Speech for this Session of Parliament contain provisions that apply in Scotland, either in full or in part. Once again this is a strong programme of legislation for Scotland.

The programme focuses on strengthening economic competitiveness in Scotland and the whole of the United Kingdom as we continue to prioritise measures that will reduce the deficit.

The National Insurance Contributions Bill will reduce the cost for businesses and charities that take on new staff by reducing national insurance contributions for employers. Other measures to help businesses include the Deregulation Bill cutting red tape and an Intellectual Property Bill which will help encourage enterprise and drive economic growth.

With the high speed 2 legislation the Government are also taking steps to safeguard the future competitiveness of the United Kingdom, by investing in this crucial infrastructure which will see journey times from Scotland to London cut significantly.

The speech also outlines the important reforms to the pensions system, introducing a new single-tier state pension that will make the pensions system simpler and fairer, as well as benefiting those who have done poorly from the current system, for example carers and those with interrupted work histories. The Government will also help to support working parents, via a new scheme to help households where both parents work with the cost of child care.

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, and we will continue to work constructively 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.

Section 1—Legislation applying to the United Kingdom, including Scotland (either in full or in part).

Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill

Care Bill

Defence Reform Bill

Deregulation Bill

High Speed Two Hybrid Bill

HS2 Paving Bill

Immigration Bill

Intellectual Property Bill

Mesothelioma Bill

National Insurance Contributions Bill

Northern Ireland Bill

Pensions Bill

Water Bill

Section 2—Legislation that will not apply in Scotland.

Local Audit and Accountability Bill

Offender Rehabilitation Bill