Warm Welcome for the Queen's Speech
The Queen's Speech received a warm welcome from Labour Party members at Saturday’s meeting of the East Riding Local Government Committee. The East Riding LGC brings together members from all the constituency Labour Parties within the East Riding area.
Particularly welcome were announcements about the Personal Care Bill, the Financial Services Bill, the Flood and Water Management Bill and the bill to ban the use of Cluster bombs.
The Personal Care Bill will enable around 280,000 of the neediest people in England to get free personal care in their own homes if they wish.
This will cover basic, everyday living tasks such as getting up, dressing, washing and using the toilet. Those needing help with at least four such tasks will be eligible to receive this support from next October.
A further 130,000 people who need home care will benefit from other measures so that they can carry on living independently for as long as possible.
The Flooding and Water Management Bill accepts that future flooding threats are likely to be intensified by climate change and is designed to enable the country to deal better with the problem.
Local councils will be given responsibility for surface water flooding for the first time, but overall responsibility for flooding is given to the Environment Agency. The Bill will also require housebuilders and developers to ensure that new building developments incorporates drainage that will minimise flood damage.
The Financial Services Bill gives the City Regulator powers to tear up bankers' contracts
if it believes that these contracts encourage banks and bankers to take too much risk with its customers monies.
It will also give powers to force banks to set up insurance type plans so that should they get into difficulties they will not have to be bailed out by the taxpayer and cause the UK to go into deficit
Cluster bombs have killed and maimed thousands of civilians caught up in war zones. The government has signed the international agreement banning the use of these appalling weapons.
Members agreed there was much to celebrate over the last 12 years of Labour's achievements but agreed that the emphasis should be on postive campaigning, actually telling people what Labour would do for people in future was the way forward
Members are looking forward to the election campaign and taking the positive arguments to the people of the East Riding. Hope not Fear must be key for building a positive future.
Labour for a Positive Future.