Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, delivered the Queen’s Speech to parliament after the Queen pulled out of the ceremony for the first time since 1963, due to what Buckingham Palace called “episodic mobility problems”.
He read out the speech, essentially a list of government aims for the parliamentary year, which is written for the monarch by government officials.
A mammoth 38 parliamentary bills are contained in the Queen’s Speech, of which 27 apply in whole or part of Scotland.
The focus for this mini-relaunch of Boris Johnson’s levelling up agenda will be on measures to boost the economy.
Part of the levelling up agenda includes supporting the city growth deal and free ports in Scotland and the Shared Prosperity fund which replaces EU finances.
The opposition parties are bound to argue that the raft of laws do nothing to address the immediate cost of living crisis that is a priority for most voters and the Scottish Government will complain if UK-wide legislation is seen to trample on devolved powers.
Here are five key bills that will affect Scotland and which could serve as flashpoints between Holyrood and Westminster:
Brexit Freedoms Bill
This will end the supremacy of EU law by repealing and amending European regulations with legislation that better suits post-Brexit UK markets. The Scottish Government is hostile to dismantling EU law and has said it will oppose any Brexit-related Bills passing into Scots law.
UK Bill of Rights
Legislation to give UK law supremacy over EU law. Although Scots law is separate cases from Scottish courts being referred up to the UK Supreme Court would be affected. The UK will remain a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights.
Harbours (Seafarers’ Remuneration) Bill
Otherwise known as the P&O bill, it will oblige ferry companies like P&O to pay the UK minimum wage to seafarers in UK waters. It will have implications for the Scotland to Northern Ireland ferry routes.
Social Security (Special rules for end of life) Bill
This will allow people with less than 12 months left to live fast-track access to key disability benefits. SNP MP Drew Hendry has campaigned hard on end of life care.
Energy Security Bill
The bill will facilitate the energy strategy recently announced by the UK government. Any changes in regulating the North Sea oil industry, a key sector for Scotland, will be closely watched.
It also offers another chance to get the carbon capture and storage facility in Aberdeenshire off the ground. For consumers it will extend the energy price cap on bills to stop companies profiteering from higher prices.
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