Her Majesty the Queen has outlined the Government's priorities in a speech at the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords, placing economic recovery and the environment at its heart.
The Queen’s speech saw a focus on job creation and improving economic regulation, including investing in green industries, and the Government will legislate via the Environment Bill for its commitment to a 2050 net zero target. 26 Bills were introduced making for a busy Parliamentary period.
Her Majesty the Queen said “My Government will invest in new green industries to create jobs, while protecting the environment. The United Kingdom is committed to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and will continue to lead the way internationally by hosting the COP26 Summit in Glasgow. Legislation will set binding environmental targets.”
The speech also acknowledged that future support for business will reflect the country's ‘strategic interests’ and growth, as the Government seeks to return to a sustainable fiscal path for the economy after the end of the pandemic.
Background notes on the speech reveal the fuel duty rate will be reviewed in the context of net zero, although no date was given, and offer a hint that the Budget later this year will be asking businesses to pay more.
Also included in the speech was news that a new state aid regime for the UK will be introduced, following EU Exit and a new Procurement Bill will replace EU rules on how the government buys services and goods from the private sector.
The BVRLA will continue to monitor progress of the bills referenced today. Decarbonisation remains a major policy priority for the association and work is underway for the BVRLA to be ready to act as soon as relevant announcements such as the Transport Decarbonisation Plan come out in the coming months. Members who would be interested to support the association’s efforts should consider joining one of the BVRLA’s working groups.
