British PM seeks to bolster economy, union in new parliament

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The U.K. government sought to capitalize on its electoral strength Tuesday, outlining a sweeping legislative agenda to bolster the slotxo economy after the COVID-19 pandemic, defuse tensions that threaten the country's unity and combat social issues ranging from housing to care for older adults.

The package of about 30 bills was unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II in the annual Queen's Speech, in which the monarch reads out the government's legislative priorities at the ceremonial start of the new parliamentary session.

The event, pared down for pandemic times, was the queen's first major public appearance since the funeral of her husband, Prince Philip, last month. A single throne was placed beneath the gold canopy for the monarch. In times past, there were a pair of thrones - one for the queen and another for her consort.

“My government's priority is to deliver a national recovery from the pandemic that makes the United Kingdom stronger, healthier and more prosperous than before,” the queen said in the House of Lords.

The queen, who did not wear a mask, was escorted into the chamber by her son, Prince Charles. She delivered the speech slowly and deliberately before a socially distanced audience, all of whom needed to have a negative COVID test in order to attend.

The queen did not wear her crown. Instead, it was carried into the chamber ahead of her on a cushion.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his Cabinet put together the list of proposals after a year of lockdowns and COVID-19 restrictions triggered the U.K.'s deepest economic slump in three centuries. The government is also facing renewed calls for Scottish independence and unrest in Northern Ireland fueled by Britain's departure from the European Union.

Johnson will pursue the agenda from a position of strength, with his Conservative Party holding 365 of the 650 seats in the House of Commons. That electoral power was underscored last week, when the Conservatives dominated local elections in England.

Ahead of the speech, Johnson announced plans to give all adults access to four years of university or job training throughout their lifetimes as part of an effort to ensure workers have the skills employers need in a changing economy. The government also plans to revamp planning laws to speed up construction of new homes.

“These new laws are the rocket fuel that we need to level up this country and ensure equal opportunities for all,” Johnson said in a statement released ahead of the speech. "We know that having the right skills and training is the route to better, well-paid jobs."

The opposition Labor Party said the government must also come up with a plan to create jobs if the training program is to have any meaning. Labor has previously criticized the government for boosting job creation figures with part-time and low paying jobs.