Matthew has welcomed announcements in the King’s Speech which sets out the Government’s agenda for the coming year.
Read by King Charles with Queen Camilla at his side, the speech was the first King’s speech in over 70 years following the death of the late Queen last year.
Delivered from the throne in the House of Lords, this year’s speech was focused on long-term decisions to help grow the economy, improve health and create a stronger justice system.
Contained in it were 21 new bills which included measures to ban live exports of animals, phase out smoking, build a national Holocaust memorial, and introduce tougher sentences.
Speaking after the speech, Matthew said: “It’s clear that the measures in this year’s King’s Speech show that the Prime Minister is committed to delivering long-term changes needed to improve the health of both people and the economy.
“I particularly welcome the overdue measures to improve animal welfare, now that we have left the EU, and to improve the rights of leaseholders, of which there are many in Hendon.
"I know that so many of my constituents will also welcome the Holocaust Memorial Bill which will create a new national Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in London."
A more extensive list of measures contained in the Speech can be found below.
Housing
The Leasehold and Freehold Bill will empower leaseholders with greater rights and protections. Renters and landlords will be supported with a Renters (Reform) Bill, giving renters more security, landlords more control over their properties, and delivering our manifesto commitment to abolish Section 21 “no fault” evictions.
Environment & Energy
The Animal Welfare Live Exports Bill will ban live animal exports. The Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill will improve energy security by backing North Sea oil and gas extraction – safeguarding hundreds of thousands of jobs.
Health
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will create a smoke-free generation by ensuring no one aged 14 or under will ever be able to legally buy cigarettes. It will also restrict the marketing of vapes to children.
Justice
A new Sentencing (Whole Life Orders) Bill and a new Criminal Justice Bill will give both the police and courts the tools to ensure criminals get the prison sentences they deserve and prevent new and complex crimes including digital-enabled crime.
On top of this, the Victims and Prisoners Bill will give ministers the power to block the parole of the worst offenders.
Transport
New legislation will be bought in the regulate pedicabs in London that are currently unlicensed.
Defence
The Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Bill and Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill will protect our national security. The Government has also recommitted itself to investing the Armed Forces and condemned barbaric attacks against the people of Israel.
