queens_speech

© Urban Forum 2010

Though delivered by the Queen in Parliament, the Queen's Speech is written by the government and sets out what bills are going to be introduced over the next 18 months as part of the Coalition's Programme.

The Queen's Speech is normally made in November, when the new session of Parliament begins, but took place in May 2010 because of the General Election.

The Queen's Speech does not set out the full government programme, and the Budget and pre Budget report have increasingly been used to announce new measures. In addition, the government may agree to extra bills proposed by backbenchers (private members' bills).

Bills need to go through several committee stages and debates in Parliament, and are subject to amendment, in the Commons and the Lords before they are passed.

Download the PDF on this page for all the details.