As expected, the Queen’s speech avoided any mention of legislation on minimum alcohol pricing or plain packs for tobacco.
It had been widely reported these measures had been dropped from the list of draft bills announced by the Queen in the House of Lords today.
In a speech lasting less than 10 minutes, the Queen unveiled a list of measures designed to build “a stronger economy and a fairer society”.
The Queen announced a draft bill to reduce burden of “excessive regulation” and protect IP for businesses. There will also be measures to simplify consumer rights “to promote competitive markets and growth”.
Other draft bills announced include legislation on immigration, crime, childcare and pension reform.
Speaking in the Commons debate on the Queen’s speech this afternoon, prime minister David Cameron said the government would still seek to tackle issues around discounted alcohol. “I think it is important we take action to deal with the very deeply discounted alcohol, cans of lager sometimes as little as 25p in supermarkets. We will be coming forward with a package of measures. I think that is important and we need to get that right,” he said.
This morning, health minister Jeremy Hunt insisted that the absence of plans on minimum pricing and plain tobacco packs did not mean they had been abandoned. “Just because something is not in the Queen’s speech does not mean the government can’t bring it forward as law, but we have not made a decision,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
Reaction
ACS chief executive James Lowman said his organisation would continue to work with the government on measures in the Queen’s speech that would help its members: “We welcome the focus on delivering growth and reducing burdens on everyday entrepreneurs like local shops owners who trade in every community across the country.”
“We welcome the focus on delivering growth and reducing burdens on everyday entrepreneurs like local shops owners”
James Lowman, ACS
Reacting to news of draft legislation on consumer rights, the BRC’s Helen Dickinson said: “We’ll need to see the detail when it’s published but we’ve supported this Bill throughout its development because it should reduce disputes by providing more certainty over rights for the customers who benefit from them and the businesses who deliver them.
“We believe this legislation will modernise sale of goods law in several important areas including time limits for returns and rights over buying digital content.”
Stuart Padgham, partner at law firm Thomas Eggar LLP, said retailers would need to ready themselves for any change to consumer law: “The Consumer Rights Directive, which is expected to be implemented via the new Consumer Rights Bill, will mainly affect online sales. Therefore, businesses with an online sales presence will need to ensure that both their legal terms and conditions and their overall sales process are aligned with the new requirements.”
Analysis: Spin the Bottle: Government choices for alcohol policy
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