WA72

Business gives reaction to Queen's Speech

Business groups have given their reactions to the Government's plans for forthcoming legislation, announced in this year's Queen's Speech.

Plans to introduce a national identity card scheme by 2008, and measures aimed at reducing serious crime and anti-social behaviour, formed a large part of the focus of the Speech, which included a total of 32 Bills.

Other key issues outlined in the Speech included:

• New laws to make 'corporate manslaughter' an offence
• A series of measures for consumer credit, aimed at tackling loan sharks and making charges more explicit
• Creating a new Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA)
• Eradicating the position of Lord Chancellor and creating a supreme court
• New rules governing a forthcoming referendum on the EU constitution
• Measures to improve road safety, including tougher driving penalties.

David Frost, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said, 'There are no real Bills here to make a difference to businesses'.

However, the BCC did welcome the plans to create a single equalities body, and planned measures to increase security.

The BCC echoed the concerns of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) on the creation of a national ID register, saying that more details were needed in order to avoid placing further burdens on employers.

On the subject of the draft corporate manslaughter Bill, John Cridland of the CBI advised, 'The grossly negligent must be separated from genuinely responsible employers who do everything possible to ensure safety. We also want to see the Government address the issue of Crown immunity'.

This year's Speech is widely expected to be the last of its kind before the next general election.

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