posted on 18 May 2016, updated on 18 May 2016

The Queen's Speech on 18 May 2016 announced a number of bills planned for the year ahead which will be of relevance to local government.

The Local Growth and Jobs Bill will put in place the framework to allow local authorities to retain 100% of business rates, and will provide for new powers to be devolved to local authorities.

The Neighbourhood Planning and Infrastructure Bill is intended to support the delivery of new homes by strengthening neighbourhood planning, restricting the use of pre-commencement planning conditions, making changes to compulsory purchase and establishing the National Infrastructure Commission on a statutory basis. The Bill would also enable the privatisation of the Land Registry.

The Children and Social Work Bill will improve support for care leavers and increase the number of children adopted from care. It will introduce new standards for local authorities supporting children in care, a duty for local authorities and schools to promote educational achievement for adopted children, and a specialist regulator for social work.

The Education for All Bill will introduce new powers to convert schools to academies, and will make changes to school funding through the introdution of the new national funding formula.

Other planned Bills include:

  • Digital Economy Bill
  • Modern Transport Bill
  • Bus Services Bill
  • NHS (Overseas Visitors Charging) Bill
  • Pensions Bill
  • Prison and Courts Reform Bill.

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