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Migrant curbs in Queen's Speech

Measures to tackle immigration are among the measures unveiled in the Queen's Speech, as the Government unveils its legislative plans this coming year.

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Miliband: Government has a 'reality problem'

Labour leader Ed Miliband said the Government has a "reality problem" and today's Queen's Speech will do nothing to help people facing real problems.

The Leader of the Opposition said he was prepared to work with the Prime Minister on alternatives - insisting David Cameron did not need to be beholden to right-wingers on his own benches.

Mr Miliband said Labour was willing to assist with issues such as plain cigarette packaging, a communications bill on media monopolies and a lobbying bill.

Labour leader Ed Miliband. Credit: ITV News

He said youth unemployment was up, the cost of living was rising and wages were falling.

Mr Miliband said, "You can't provide the answers the country needs because he is not in control of his party - as someone once said, you are in office but not in power".

"You are not dealing with the problems of the country. No wonder this Queen's Speech has no answers", he added.

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Cooper slams immigration measures in Queen's Speech

The immigration measures in the Queen's Speech don't tackle important issues on exploitation and illegal immigration.

We support many of the measures promised, though of course we will scrutinise the detail, but it appears their impact will be limited.

The Government is still not tackling the exploitation of foreign workers, leading to the undercutting of local workers.

There is nothing to improve enforcement of the national minimum wage, no action on agencies recruiting only from abroad, nothing to improve training for local workers for sectors recruiting heavily from abroad, no action to extend the gangmasters licensing legislation, and nothing to deal with slum landlords using overcrowded housing to recoup labour costs.

– Yvette Cooper, Shadow home secretary

Union: Government's 'policies are not working'

There is little comfort in this programme for the young, the unemployed, the working poor, the sick, the vulnerable or the millions who have seen their living standards fall drastically since this coalition Government came to power.

It's a typical Tory tactic to distract attention from the real problems we face by fostering a 'blame immigrants' culture, instead of tackling the huge divide between the rich and the poor.

This Government should face facts and accept that its policies are not working for the majority of people.

– Unison general secretary Dave Prentis

Queen flanked by Duke and Charles during speech

The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall sat next to the Queen today as she delivered her speech at the State Opening of Parliament.

The Queen delivers her speech at the State Opening of Parliament. Credit: ITV Pool

Prince Charles wore the Admiral of the Fleet naval uniform with the Thistle sash and the stars of the Orders of the Garter and the Thistle.

He also wore the Order of Merit and the Great Master of the Order of the Bath (neck orders). In the Prince's capacity as an an aide de camp to the Queen, he wears an aiguillette.

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