23/06/2017
While the single dominant theme running through the Queen’s Speech was the cluster of bills linked to the ‘orderly’ withdrawal from the European Union, the twin topics of transport and technology linked a trio of bills that evoked stirring memories of the UK’s engineering heritage as the country prepares to go solo.
‘Queen’s Speech and Associated Background Briefing’ which has been issued jointly by the Cabinet Office and Prime Minister’s Office, provides useful summaries of all the measures, including
- the Automated and Electric Vehicles Bill, which aims to ensure the UK “continues to be at the forefront of developing new technology in electric and automated road vehicles”
- the Space Industry Bill, which reminds us that the UK “has one of the largest aerospace industries in the world and has pioneered new technology for modern satellites” by, among other things, creating new powers to licence a wide range of new commercial spaceflight
- High Speed 2 Phase 2A Bill, which provides the powers to build and operate the next stage of the HSE network between Birmingham and Crewe
Among other bills with direct implications – good and bad – for business are
- Draft Tenants’ Fees Bill, which aims to make the private rental market more affordable for tenants but could also lead to loss of jobs in letting agencies
- Courts Bill, which – among other measures – will introduce digital services that allow businesses to pursue their cases and recover debts more easily and quickly
- Data Protection Bill, which will
– help ensure the UK has world class protection of people’s personal data including the ‘right to be forgotten’
– implement the EU General Data Protection Regulation and the new law enforcement data processing directive
– enable data sharing with EU member states post Brexit
- Civil Liability Bill, which is expected to reduce motor insurance premiums by about £35 pa by cracking down on fraudulent whiplash claims