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16.40pm
The Queen's Speech debate continues in the House of Commons. You can watch it here.
But for us for that concludes Christian Today's first ever live blog! I hope you enjoyed it.
Our full write up is available here.
14.49pm
The second Church estates commissioner, Caroline Spelman, is opening the House of Commons' debate on the Queen's Speech.
The debate always starts with two government backbenchers – one senior and one newcomer. They are expected to be funny. Spelman encourages MPs who have had setbacks not to give up, which could be a veiled dig at Cameron who apparently sacked her from her ministerial post for being too old.
I wonder if Caroline Spelman will refer, even obliquely, to claims she was fired by Cameron for being too old for the job?
— Paul Waugh (@paulwaugh) 18 May 2016 " data-caption="null" data-credit="null">14.39pm
You can read the Queen's Speech in full here along with a number of other key background documents.
The most important is this briefing note which fleshes out the bills in more detail.
14.20pm
Plans to tackle extremism were at the centre of the Queen's Speech as expected. An interesting background paper reveals the bill will contain powers to intervene in "intensive unregulated education settings which teach hate".
This is the plans for Ofsted to inspect "out-of-school settings" which many fear will include churches and youth groups. Some had hoped these plans would be dropped but this footnote confirms they will be in the bill.
The question is whether churches will fall under the category of carrying out "intensive education" and so be subject to Ofsted inspections. According to CARE's Nola Leach, this would make Ofsted the "state regulator of religion".
13.53pm
As Tory MPs wandered off for their lunch before up to six hours of debate this afternoon, some were right on cue getting the message out.
This is a One Nation #QueensSpeech from a progressive, One Nation, Conservative Government. pic.twitter.com/V8P6gHC9WG
— Ranil Jayawardena MP (@TellRanil) 18 May 2016 " data-caption="null" data-credit="null">Some however could not resist the temptation to get back to the far more important issue of the EU.
Don't forget to register to vote to Remain. #generationEUvote #readytovote #strongerineurope pic.twitter.com/47vw6xTstQ
— Mark Prisk MP (@PriskMark) 18 May 2016 " data-caption="null" data-credit="null">And others had their mind on other things. Bizarrely. This was retweeted by the Tory MP for Bath:
Just out of the oven homemade sage & nutmeg sausage rolls - match made in heaven with breakfast tarts ...mnnnn.. pic.twitter.com/zPIy7bAgW1
— Widcombe Deli (@widcombedeli) 18 May 2016 " data-caption="null" data-credit="null">12.59pm
The Catholic Bishops' Conference in England and Wales have issued a response to the speech.
On the prison legislation, the Catholic's lead bishop for prisons, Rt Rev Richard Moth, said it was a "remarkable opportunity" to place "redemption at the heart of our prisons".
However in a hint at funding cuts he added: "It is only through a properly resourced system focussed on genuinely helping people to turn their lives around that we will create a safer and more civilised society."
A spokesperson for the Catholic Bishops' Conference also expressed concern about the counter extremism bill. A statement read: "It is vital that measures to keep the public safe do not inadvertently curtail free speech or alienate communities. The best way in which to undermine extremist beliefs will always be through the promotion of effective integration."
12.52pm
Christian public policy charity CARE have said the counter extremism bill is a "serious mistake" and will "have a seriously detrimental effect on free speech".
Spokesman for the charity James Mildred told Christian Today: "Surely it is more sensible for the government to focus on using existing legislation more effectively. "We need proper enforcement of these existing powers, rather than a broad, sweeping, new bill with its dodgy definitions."
#QueensSpeech Let's be honest: it is impossible to define non-violent extremism. Extraordinarily subjective topic. @HarryFarls @careorguk
— James Mildred (@JamesMildred) 18 May 2016 " data-caption="null" data-credit="null">12.45pm
Here are two particular sticking points to the Queen's Speech:
The Counter Extremism and Safeguarding Bill.
We knew this would be controversial. It promises to "tackle extremism in all its forms" which sounds like including things like non-violent extremism that will get many Christian groups jumpy. Will you be labelled an extremist if you oppose same-sex marriage. Possibly according to The Christian Institute. We'll find out when the Bill is published.
The Bill of Rights
Amazingly scant details. "Proposals" will be brought forward which is deliberately vague and the government knows this will be a tricky one. It was in last year's Queen's Speech and nothing has yet appeared.
13.40pm
Oxfam, another charity who enjoys a good dig at the Tories, has said it was "great" the government is promising an all-out assault on poverty.
However Oxfam's head of UK campaigns, Sally Copley added: "To succeed, the Government will need to go beyond the measures announced today and address the structural problems that keep millions of people poor in one of the world's richest countries. Most children living in poverty in the UK today have at least one parent in employment, so the Government needs to tackle the lack of reliable work that pays enough for families to make ends meet.
"It's crucial that the Government's new approach complements rather than replaces current efforts to measure and tackle poverty - measuring household incomes and providing safety nets for the vulnerable remain crucial."
The global charity also commented on the finances bill and said it sent a "clear and welcome signal that tax evasion is unacceptable". Copley said: "The Government should push internationally - including in the EU - for comprehensive new rules to require companies to publicly report their taxes everywhere they operate, and ensure UK-linked tax havens publicly reveal who really controls companies registered there, so that tax dodgers can be made to pay."
13.26pm
The Children's Society, never afraid to have a pop at the government has released a statement on the Queen's Speech.
Chief executive Matthew Reed said: "The Government's welcome interest in improving life chances will mean little without a concerted effort to tackle child poverty, which is projected to rise significantly in the coming years. Reducing the number of families struggling with debt and surviving on low incomes must be at the centre of any new strategy. The best way of improving children's chances of having a decent start in life is to make sure they are not growing up in cold homes or without hot meals.
"If the Government is serious about improving the life chances of the most disadvantaged children and families it will need to do much more, including in the Autumn Statement, to turn its rhetoric into reality. The first step should be scrapping the four-year freeze on children's benefits and cuts to support for working families under Universal Credit."
Reed went on to say care leaves prospects are "significantly worse than for those who have not grown up in care".
He said: "The Government must address the problem of children in care being uprooted and moved miles away from their communities. It must also make sure care leavers get priority and consistent access to mental health support to tackle the significant disadvantages faced by those growing up in care."
#QueensSpeech mentions the British Bill of Rights again this year. The rights of all children cannot be compromised or put at risk.
— Children Society Pol (@ChildSocPol) 18 May 2016 " data-caption="null" data-credit="null">12.35pm The Queen's speech was noticeably shorter than last year and, according to Tim Farron, thin on new content. Last year it was 1008 words. This year it is less than 800 words. That is not really surprising given the uncertainty around the EU referendum. The speech opened with the promise to "use the opportunity of a strengthening economy to deliver security for working people, to increase life chances for the most disadvantaged and to strengthen national defences". That is the message the Conservative government will want to put out. But there are a number of more controversial aspects. Lets unpack them. 12.25pm The evangelical leader of the Liberal Democrats, Tim Farron says only two of the announcements in the Queen's Speech are new.
This #QueensSpeech is all about Weekend prisoners, announced by a weakened Government. 30 announcements, but 28 have been made before.
— Tim Farron (@timfarron) 18 May 2016 " data-caption="null" data-credit="null">12.18pm Guardian's political editor suggests the speech was an attempt to bury Cameron's austerity legacy.
Cameron's attempt to bury the austerity legacy - Queen's speech verdict from @guardiananushka https://t.co/1b5liQlpJ0
— Heather Stewart (@GuardianHeather) 18 May 2016 " data-caption="null" data-credit="null">12.12pm
Political Editor of the New Statesman gives his verdict on the Queen's Speech.
Cameron will struggle to secure the social legacy he wants - my take on #QueensSpeech https://t.co/BL78W0t9qL
— George Eaton (@georgeeaton) 18 May 2016 " data-caption="null" data-credit="null">12.08pm
MPs will return to the House of Commons at 2.30pm to debate the speech.
In the meantime we'll bring you some of the reactions and analysis in the aftermath.
12.01pm
Right. Here are the main points to digest from the Queen's Speech.
The government promises to "use the opportunity of a strengthening economy" to "increase the life chances for the most disadvantaged". There were several bills announced in the speech.
Here are some keys ones and what the Queen said:
Counter-Extremism and Safeguarding Bill:
"Legislation will be introduced to prevent radicalisation, tackle extremism in all its forms, and promote community integration."
Bill of Rights:
"Proposals will be brought forward for a British Bill of Right s."
Prison and Courts Reform:
"Prison Governors will be given unprecedented freedom and they will be able to ensure prisoners receive better education. Old and inefficient prisons will be closed and new institutions built where prisoners can be put more effectively to work."
Children and Social Work Bill:
"A Bill will be introduced to ensure that children can be adopted by new families without delay, improve the standard of social work and opportunities for young people in care in England."
Finance Bill:
"To tackle poverty and the causes of deprivation, including family instability, addiction and debt, my Government will introduce new indicators for measuring life chance. Legislation will be introduced to establish a soft drinks industry levy to help tackle childhood obesity."
Lifetime Savings Bill:
"Measures will be introduced to help the lowest-income families save, through a new Help to Save scheme, and to create a Lifetime ISA to help young people save for the long-term."
You can read the full text of the Queen's Speech and all the bills here.
11.46am
Queen concludes her speech. Her last line: "I pray that the blessing of almighty God might rest upon your counsels."
"My Lords and Members of the House of Commons, I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your counsels" #QueensSpeech
— The CCF (@UK_CCF) 18 May 2016 " data-caption="null" data-credit="null">11.41am Queen in full flow. We'll have full text and reactions as they happen afterwards. 11.35am Jezza not really enjoying his shoulder-to-shoulder walk to the House of Lords with Cameron.
The leader of the opposition conspicuously not making small talk with the PM pic.twitter.com/7xdpSWrIc9
— Ross Hawkins (@rosschawkins) 18 May 2016 " data-caption="null" data-credit="null">11.33am "Hands off the BBC." Dennis Skinner's annual contribution to the Queen's Speech. 11.29am The Queen's Speech has some of the weirdest and most wonderful traditions. Huffington Post has done this brilliant list of some of them.
An MP has been taken hostage!? Brilliant from @HuffPostUK on the weirdest traditions of the #QueensSpeech. https://t.co/A0RT8uwMBZ
— Harry Farley (@HarryFarls) 18 May 2016 " data-caption="null" data-credit="null">11.17am
Not everyone is excited about what is coming up though. One Christian Labour MP bemoaning another year of Tory rule. You've got another four I'm afriad pal.
Not an everyday selfie, but it's not a normal day. Behind the costumes of State Opening is another year of Tory gov. pic.twitter.com/j4A2NNRjiY
— Andrew Gwynne MP (@GwynneMP) 18 May 2016 " data-caption="null" data-credit="null">11.12am
In the statement from the Evangelical Alliance, McCrossan said the government was opting "for Big Brother over the Big Society" with its plans for an Extremism Bill.
That is a phrase we have heard a number of times before to describe these plans and it is clear the government is struggling to define what it considers an extremist, given Cameron's pledge to tackle "non-violent extremism". Whatever that is.
Read the full story on the Evangelical Alliance's statement here.
11.04am
The Evangelical Alliance has got in ahead of the game and sent round a statement with concerns about the expected Extremism Bill that will be announced. Simon McCrossan, head of public policy at the EA, said it was "extreme" to tell religious groups what to do "under the guise of fundamental British values".
McCrossan is concerned "the main casualty will be our fundamental freedoms".
He said: "We are deeply concerned that the definitions of 'extremism', especially the extension of 'non-violent extremism', threaten to trample on the freedoms that have been hard won, long enjoyed, and underpin our democracy. To date, the definitions are so broad there could be many unforeseen consequences to fundamental freedoms in our plural multi-faith society."
"Whether intentional or not, this strategy looks like the wholesale nationalisation of youth work and the indirect state regulation of private religious practice – the very antithesis of a free liberal democracy. It is extremism."
10.54am
The Queen's Speech will announce the government's agenda for the next year today.
Christian Today will run a live blog with all the updates you need to know.
So far here is a summary of what we know so far:
Who is an extremist?
A bill to tackle extremism will be on of the central points of the speech. There are significant concerns on what an "extremist" will be defined as. Some groups including The Christian Institute say Christians who oppose same-sex marriage could end up being an extremist under the government's definition.
Prison reform
The power to control the budgets, regime and educational services in jails will be given to prison governors in what Cameron said was the start of "long overdue, long-needed change".
Adoption overhaul
Cameron has also promised to tackle the adoption system and force courts to favour permanent families over distant relatives in an effort to give "all children need a loving, permanent and stable home".
