Opening of Parliament 2024

The Queen's Speech unveiled
Buckingham Palace, London - Her Majesty The Queen delivered the traditional Queen's Speech at the State Opening of Parliament today, setting out the government's legislative agenda for the coming year. In a wide-ranging speech, the Queen outlined a number of key policies and initiatives, including:
- Plans to create a new Ministry of Technology
- A new national infrastructure plan
- A major investment in education and skills
- Measures to tackle the cost of living crisis
- A commitment to net zero
The Queen's Speech was met with a mixed reaction from across the political spectrum. The government hailed it as a "bold and ambitious" agenda, while the opposition criticized it as "out of touch" with the needs of ordinary people.
The new Ministry of Technology will be responsible for coordinating the government's efforts to drive forward the UK's digital economy. The department will be led by a new Secretary of State for Technology, who will sit in the Cabinet.
The government's new national infrastructure plan will invest in a range of projects, including new roads, railways, and energy infrastructure. The plan is designed to boost economic growth and improve the UK's productivity.
The government has also pledged to make a major investment in education and skills. This will include increasing funding for schools and colleges, and providing more opportunities for people to train and retrain.
In response to the cost of living crisis, the government has announced a series of measures to help people with the rising cost of living. These measures include increasing the minimum wage, providing tax breaks for low-income earners, and expanding the availability of affordable housing.
The government has also reiterated its commitment to achieving net zero by 2050. The speech outlined a number of policies that will help to reduce the UK's emissions, including investing in renewable energy and promoting energy efficiency.
The Queen's Speech is the traditional start of the parliamentary year. It is also an opportunity for the government to set out its priorities and to give a sense of the direction in which it is heading. The speech was delivered in the House of Lords, and was attended by members of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
The speech was followed by a debate, in which members of Parliament discussed the government's plans. The debate is likely to continue over the coming weeks and months, as Parliament scrutinizes the government's legislative agenda.