Farron hails Queens Speech as "real change for South Lakes"

Speaking after the Queen set out the Government's agenda for the forthcoming Parliament, local MP Tim Farron has praised the programme as a "bold and radical agenda that can deliver real change for the South Lakes".

The speech outlined 22 new bills to be introduced this year by the new coalition government. As well as bold initiatives to reform Parliament, increase pensions and scrap ID cards, the speech heralded a number of measures that will make a real difference for people across the South Lakes.

Bills to give patients more say over their local health services, give compensation to the victims of the Equitable Life collapse and create a triple guarantee that pensions are raised by the higher of earnings, prices or 2.5% have been made a top priority by the Government.

Commenting, Mr Farron said:

"Today's speech was an ambitious pitch to the general public outlining how this new Government will pursue a decisive and far-reaching agenda that can deliver real change for the South Lakes.

"I'm delighted that Liberal Democrat priorities that we campaigned on during the election campaign will now be put in place to make our country fairer. Fair taxes, a new green economy, a fair start for every child and cleaning up politics

"Throughout my time in Parliament, I've fought for compensation for policyholders who lost out following the collapse of Equitable Life, for higher pensions for the elderly and for real action on the environment. Today, these measures have been laid out as the key priorities for the new coalition Government to deliver real change for the South Lakes."