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Scottish Secretary Alister Jack comments on the Queen s Speech
Alister Jack, Secretary of State for Scotland, comments on how the Queen s Speech will deliver for Scotland as we Build Back Better from the pandemic.
From:
12 May 2021
This is a Queen’s Speech which delivers for people in Scotland, and right across the United Kingdom, as we focus entirely on recovering our economy and our public services from the devastating effects of the Covid pandemic.
The Prime Minister and the UK Government have been working tirelessly on the pandemic, putting in place an unprecedented level of financial support, and securing millions of vaccine doses for people in all parts of the country. At all times we have prioritised both lives and livelihoods.
The UK Government says it wants to ‘protect the integrity of the electoral process’ (David Cheskin/PA)
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The SNP and Scottish Greens have hit out at plans for voter identification contained in the Queen’s Speech, while the Scottish Secretary says it “delivers for Scotland”.
Proposals in the UK Government’s legislative programme would require voters to have photo identification in Westminster elections.
Of the 33 Bills set out in the Queen’s Speech, 30 will apply fully or in part to Scotland.
- A Counter-State Threats Bill aims to give the security services and law enforcement agencies more tools to tackle hostile activity by foreign states and foreign actors. Security is also the target of the Telecommunications (Security) Bill, which promises to protect the UK networks;
- The Dormant Assets Bill will provide around an additional £880 million for social and environmental initiatives across the UK;
- Freeports also stem from the National Insurance Contributions Bill, with discussions ongoing to make the “benefits” UK wide;
- The Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill aims to extend 5G coverage, while the Professional Qualifications Bill promises to help employers find workers across the UK when facing shortages;