11 July 2007
The Prime Minister has revealed the Government’s plans for reform in a statement in Parliament.
The key issues of housing, education and the NHS will top the agenda in Gordon Brown’s premiership. A legislative programme containing a number of new Bills will also focus on security and counter terrorism, climate change and constitutional reform.
In the statement following the weekly PMQs session, Gordon Brown said that the reform package would bring "new and better opportunities" as a response to "the rising aspirations of the British people".
He said:
"To respond to the rising aspirations of the British people we must deliver new and better opportunities - in education, employment, the provision of housing and health - ensure that in a fast changing world there is opportunity and security not just for some but for all."
- Read the statement
- Watch the statement - Windows Media Player (new window)
- Watch the statement - Real Player (new window)
- Listen to the statement - MP3
A new Housing Bill will see the creation of a Housing and Regeneration Agency to support the delivery of housing supply, and social housing regulation will be reformed to provide a "modern, flexible service". The Government plans to build 3 million new homes by 2020, increasing the annual target from 200,000 to 240,000 homes from 2016.
The Government will use an Educational Opportunity Bill to raise the school leaving age from 16 to 18, and will also implement proposals from the Leitch Report on improving skills in the workforce. This follows yesterday’s announcement by Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, of a number of measures aimed at improving teaching in the classroom, including a £265 million package to provide group activities for pupils during term and holiday periods.
In addition to the NHS review announced last week, there will be a Health and Social Care Bill aimed at creating "a stronger health and social care regulator". The Government, said Mr Brown, will do more "to put power in the hands of patients and staff and ensure that every patient gets the best possible treatment".
Other key proposals in the programme include a Climate Change Bill that will introduce a legal framework for the reduction of carbon emissions and the introduction of new measures into the Criminal Justice Bill aimed at extending the period of pre-charge detention and increasing sentences for terrorism related crimes.
Have Your Say
The Prime Minister has invited people to air their views on the draft legislative programme as part of a wide-ranging consultation exercise. You can do so by going to:
delicious
digg
facebook
