The Queen's Speech 2016

Now that the glitz, pomp and ceremony of the event itself have faded, political commentators are able to reflect more closely on the exact details of the Queen’s Speech. Traditionally an opportunity for government to lay out its ambitious legislative plans for the next twelve months, this year’s Speech was a distinct continuation of previous announcements and contained very few surprises.

As predicted, the main attraction was the government’s plans to introduce new powers for prison governors in England and Wales, with an emphasis on training, rehabilitation and education, which took most of the limelight out of the 21 proposed new Bills.

Other headline measures included:   

-          New powers of intervention to tackle extremism

-          Proposals to replace the Human Rights Act with a British Bill of Rights

-          Changes to the care and adoption system

-          New regulations concerning driverless cars and unmanned drones 

The recurring theme of restraint and austerity was clear from the beginning of the Speech, with the Queen stating that government “will continue to bring the public finances under control so that Britain lives within its means”.

From the point of view of Alliance members, there were very few direct mentions of legislation designed to specifically impact the sport and recreation sector.  However, as is often the case, a number of the measures contained within the Speech are likely to have consequences, and offer opportunities, for our wide-reaching sector. Some of these are listed below:

Local Growth and Jobs Bill

• Framework to be put in place to enable local authorities to retain 100% of business rates levied.
• New powers to be devolved to local authorities to be set out in law.
• Combined authority mayors to have scope to levy business rate supplement to fund infrastructure projects.

Education for All Bill

• Powers to convert under-performing schools in "unviable" local authorities to academies.
• Goal of making every school an academy but no compulsion to do so.
• Head teachers, not councils, to be responsible for school improvement.
• A new national funding formula for schools.

National Citizen Service Bill

• New statutory framework to deliver the National Citizen Service.
• All state secondary schools, academies, private schools and councils required to promote NCS.

Small Charitable Donations Bill

• Gift Aid Small Donations scheme to be changed following a public consultation.
• Aim to increase benefits of scheme for new and smaller charities, including amateur sports clubs.
• Clarify rules concerning how charities connected with community buildings can benefit.

Counter-Extremism and Safeguarding Bill

• New powers of intervention to tackle radicalisation of children in "unregulated education settings".

In addition, the sugar tax levy on the soft drinks industry, which was announced by the Chancellor in his Budget earlier this year, featured in the Speech. This measure, which will raise money to be spent on increasing school sports and after-school activities, will be included in the 2017 Finance Bill and is expected to come into force in April 2018.

Click here for further information about today’s announcements and what it means.

Click here for the full speech.

If you would like more details about the Sport and Recreation Alliance’s parliamentary monitoring services, please contact Emma Wade at ewade@sportandrecreation.org.uk.

Share this article:

Back to all news