Boris Johnson was accused of failing millions of struggling families with a lacklustre Queen’s Speech that offered them no extra help.
The Prime Minister admitted his Government could not “completely shield” people from soaring prices and energy bills.
But he sparked confusion by hinting Rishi Sunak was poised to announce more support within days – but was immediately slapped down by the Treasury.
Labour leader Keir Starmer accused the PM of a “pathetic” response to the cost of living crisis that is set to get worse.
He warned the UK was “staring down the barrel” of a stagflation crisis – rising inflation with slow growth – on a scale not seen since the 1970s.
Mr Starmer blasted: “We have a Government whose time has passed, a Cabinet out of ideas and out of energy, led by a Prime Minister entirely out of touch.”
Charities criticised the lack of short-term measures to help people who are facing spiralling costs, with inflation set to hit a 40-year high.
Mr Johnson claimed the Queen’s Speech, which contained 38 bills ranging from housing to human rights, would create a “high-wage, high-skill” economy that would lead to decades of prosperity. Hinting at future help, he claimed his new laws would unleash the “fiscal firepower” of No10 to help struggling families.
Mr Johnson said: “While we must keep public finances on a sustainable footing – and we cannot completely shield people from the fallout from global events – where we can help, we will.
“We will continue to use all our ingenuity and compassion for as long as it takes. The Chancellor and I will be saying more about this in the days to come.”
But Treasury sources were quick to point out Mr Sunak was “always clear” a decision on extra support would not be made before the Autumn Budget.
They suggested the PM could have been referring to “non-fiscal measures” that would not cost money – and be of limited help.
The Government has already announced £22bn of support for families including a £150 council tax rebate and a £200 loan to help pay energy bills – but is waiting until the autumn to set out more.
Senior Tory MP David Davis urged the PM to cut taxes and “deploy our fiscal firepower now, when our constituents need it, not after they have suffered”.
With soaring energy bills, inflation due to hit 10% and pay benefits failing to keep up with rising prices, the cost of living crisis is set to dominate months ahead.
Rebecca McDonald, of charity the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said: “Despite claims in the speech that easing the cost of living was a priority, there were no new support measures announced.
“This will be deeply worrying for families on low incomes, particularly those who experienced a real-terms cut to their benefits after the Government failed to up-rate benefits in line with inflation last month.”
Child Poverty Action Group chief Alison Garnham said the speech “offered no short-term comfort for parents struggling to feed kids in the face of rocketing prices”.
Save the Children’s Dan Paskins said ministers have “buried their heads in the sand again instead of serious action”.
He added: “Families we work with are skipping meals, rationing power and taking on unsustainable debt.” Labour called on No10 to bring in a windfall tax on energy firms, which have made billions in profits, to cut bills by £600 per family.
Tesco chairman John Allan agreed there was an “overwhelming need” for a windfall tax after seeing customers “extremely stretched”.
Elsewhere, the speech set out plans for an Energy Security Bill to help transition to cheaper and greener energy, extending the price cap beyond 2023.
A Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill will seek to drive local growth and regenerate towns and cities, but there was little detail.
Jobs
Unions blasted ministers for again failing to deliver a promised Employment Rights Bill.
Trades Union Congress general secretary Frances O’Grady said bad bosses will be celebrating. She added: “Rights that ministers promised - like default flexible working, fair tips and protection from pregnancy discrimination - risk being ditched.”
A Harbours (Seafarers’ Remuneration) Bill, will give ports powers to stop ferry lines docking unless they pay sailors “equivalent to the National Minimum Wage while in UK waters”.
Housing
After years of failing renters, the Tories have finally committed to banning no-fault evictions with the Renters Reform Bill so they will not have to live in constant fear of an unfair eviction.
People complying with the terms of their tenancy will have better rights if they are unlawfully told to leave.
Tenants will also have access to an effective complaints system and will see inspections undertaken as part of a bolstered scheme so they are not left in unsafe properties.
But the Government must ensure inspections are tracked and followed up.
Landlords could be handed unlimited fines if they fail to meet new Tenants Satisfaction Measures schemes.
The PM promised to reform the renting sector in the Tory manifesto, it’s about time he delivered.
National security
Police will get new powers to arrest suspected spies and bring them before a court under the National Security Bill.
The Bill will also include measures to stop foreign agents being able to target key sites in Britain, as cops can issue new ‘Spy Asbo’s’.
It will also restrict the ability of convicted terrorists to receive civil legal aid and ensure terrorists cannot gain civil damages which might fund terrorism.
Campaigners fear the plans could overhaul the UK’s secrecy laws and ultimately threaten a free press.
Trade
Ministers blinked at taking action on the Northern Ireland Protocol which puts a trade border in the Irish sea. Reports suggested the Government could legislate to override the Brexit deal with the EU, abandoning the mechanism aimed at preventing a hard border on the island. While the speech committed to protecting the province’s place in the UK internal market, the emphasis was on thrashing out a pact with Brussels.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke to political leaders across the Irish Sea before today’s showpiece.
Animal welfare
Campaigners blasted Boris Johnson for yet again failing to outline plans to ban trophy hunting imports in the Queen’s Speech. A ban on hunters bringing animal skins, heads and carcasses back to Britain was again missing from the Government’s planned legislation – despite ongoing Tory promises.
Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting founder Eduardo Goncalves said: “This is starting to feel like Groundhog Day. Every week that goes by means more lions, elephants, giraffes and other endangered animals murdered.”
Northern Ireland
Immunity from prosecution from allegations arising from the Troubles will depend on suspects co-operating with a new tribunal.
The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill aims to end the “cycle of investigations that has failed both victims and veterans”, according to details outlined today.
An Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery will help individuals and families to find information about Troubles-related deaths and serious injuries.
Human Rights
The Bill of Rights actually poses a threat to people’s rights in the UK.
It’s the Conservative Government’s way of re-writing the Human Rights Act so it is easier for officials to deport asylum seekers who claim the right to stay in the UK.
On top of this, anyone convicted of any “imprisonable” offence will also see their defences ditched.
Campaigners fear the bill also weakens people’s ability to be “treated dignity” by public authorities and could hamper people from securing justice for their loved ones.
Media
The Media Bill confirms the Tories plans to privatise Channel 4, which they hail as a chance to give the company “new corporate structure”.
But it has been heavily criticised since Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries unveiled the plans last month.
Protestors fear privatising Channel 4 will lead to cuts to programming such as credible news shows.
Channel 4 was created to cater to different tastes and interests, with a commitment to promoting diversity and innovation.
When sold, experts fear unheard voices in mainstream media and diverse content will be lost.
