UK government sets out pandemic recovery plan in Queen’s Speech

Queen Elizabeth II introduces ministers’ legislative agenda for the coming year in a scaled-back Westminster ceremony.

The United Kingdom government has unveiled a legislative programme aimed at securing the country’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, defusing tensions that threaten the union and combatting social issues from housing to healthcare. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday promised to tackle inequality with laws planned by his administration, which were presented by Queen Elizabeth II at the ceremonial opening of the new session of Parliament. The government hopes to pass 30 bills over the next year related to issues from creating jobs and healthcare to stripping back post-Brexit bureaucracy.