THE Queen's Speech is good news for Redditch residents, insists the town's newly elected MP.

Rachel Maclean, MP for Redditch, has said the Queen’s Speech will have direct relevance to the residents of Redditch, with measures intended to strengthen the economy so the NHS and the Alexandra Hospital can be well funded as promised.

The Queen’s Speech traditionally marks the start of the Parliamentary year and sets out the program for Government for the period ahead.

The MP said: “Amid the pomp and ceremony, which I had the privilege of seeing for the first time, people are asking me what it actually means for us here in Redditch.

“First, I welcome the focus on Brexit, as 62 per cent of people in Redditch voted to leave the EU. But we need to get Brexit right, delivering the result of last year’s referendum in a way that commands maximum public support. While this will be a Government that consults and listens, we are clear we are going to see Brexit through.

“People in Redditch can be assured I will be scrutinising the legislation closely to ensure local jobs and businesses are protected while we transition through this period.”

Mrs Maclean said that a smooth and orderly transition was a priority, maximising certainty.

“As a small business owner for most of my career, I understand well that certainty about the future is what businesses need most to plan ahead,” she said.

She added she was pleased to see that an immigration bill will be introduced, ensuring flexibility to create a fair and controlled immigration system.

“This will give us control over the numbers of people who come to the UK from the EU, whilst welcoming those with the skills and expertise to make our nation better,” she said.

On housing, which has been an issue in Redditch for some time, Mrs Maclean said she is committed to seeing local residents being able to afford a home of their own, providing security for them to raise their families.

The new MP is committed to working for affordable housing, in the right place with adequate infrastructure, and this is also set out in the Queen’s Speech.

Also on the agenda is a commitment to continue to build a world-class education system by ensuring every child has the opportunity to attend a good school and all schools are fairly funded.

Mrs Maclean said: “I'm also pleased to see an affirmed commitment towards mental health provision. Local services working together across our area can do a great job, and I know from my own experience how important it is that mental health problems are picked up and treated early. Often that way, people can get the support they need to lead healthy lives.”

Everything you need to know about the Queen's Speech

BREXIT dominated the package of measures in yesterday's Queen's Speech, but the Prime Minister has come under fire for it being 'threadbare' after flagship manifesto policies had to be scrapped.

Of 27 bills and draft bills unveiled in the Queen’s Speech, eight are devoted to the complex process of withdrawal from the EU, including a Repeal Bill to overturn the 1972 Act which originally took Britain into the European Economic Community and separate Bills on customs, trade, immigration, fisheries, agriculture, nuclear safeguards and the international sanctions regime.

In the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire and recent terror attacks, the Prime Minister Theresa May also announced plans for a Civil Disaster Reaction Taskforce and a new Commission for Countering Extremism, as well as a review of counter-terror strategy and the creation of an independent public advocate to act on behalf of bereaved families.

Mrs May called the snap election in the hope of securing an increased majority but after losing her mandate due to the hung parliament result, and because no deal has yet been finalised with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), the Prime Minister has been forced to drop a number of policies including the scrapping of universal free school lunches, a vote on fox hunting, means-testing of the winter fuel payment, an energy price cap and the reform of social care funding, branded a “dementia tax” by critics.

The State Opening of Parliament, which had been delayed by two days because of confusion caused by the inconclusive result of the June 8 election, took place without some of the traditional ceremony.