Oh no, you're thinking, yet another cookie pop-up. Well, sorry, it's the law. We measure how many people read us, and ensure you see relevant ads, by storing cookies on your device. If you're cool with that, hit “Accept all Cookies”. For more info and to customize your settings, hit “Customize Settings”.

Review and manage your consent

Here's an overview of our use of cookies, similar technologies and how to manage them. You can also change your choices at any time, by hitting the “Your Consent Options” link on the site's footer.

Manage Cookie Preferences
  • These cookies are strictly necessary so that you can navigate the site as normal and use all features. Without these cookies we cannot provide you with the service that you expect.

  • These cookies are used to make advertising messages more relevant to you. They perform functions like preventing the same ad from continuously reappearing, ensuring that ads are properly displayed for advertisers, and in some cases selecting advertisements that are based on your interests.

  • These cookies collect information in aggregate form to help us understand how our websites are being used. They allow us to count visits and traffic sources so that we can measure and improve the performance of our sites. If people say no to these cookies, we do not know how many people have visited and we cannot monitor performance.

See also our Cookie policy and Privacy policy.

This article is more than 1 year old

Queen's speech announces laws to protect personal data

Tories dump a number of manifesto pledges

The government is to pass new laws to protect personal data and create a commission for countering extremism on the internet, the Queen announced in the annual state opening of Parliament today.

Her speech revealed a scaled legislative programme focused on delivering Brexit, with Theresa May's minority government having ditched a raft of manifesto pledges – including expanding grammar schools and a free vote on restoring fox hunting.

However, plans announced in the manifesto for a digital charter remained.

She said: "A new law will ensure that the United Kingdom retains its world-class regime protecting personal data, and proposals for a new digital charter will be brought forward to ensure that the United Kingdom is the safest place to be online."

Legislation will also be introduced to modernise the courts system – something that successive governments have been attempting to do for some time.

Unsurprisingly Brexit dominated the speech, with eight bills relating to the UK's departure and its implications for key industries.

The recent terror attacks were also mentioned, with the government's counter-terrorism strategy to be reviewed "to ensure that the police and security services have all the powers they need" and that the length of custodial sentences for terrorism-related offences are sufficient to keep the population safe.

She said: "My government will bring forward proposals to ensure that critical national infrastructure is protected to safeguard national security. A commission for countering extremism will be established to support the government in stamping out extremist ideology in all its forms, both across society and on the internet, so it is denied a safe space to spread." ®

 

Similar topics

Similar topics

Similar topics

TIP US OFF

Send us news


Other stories you might like