Here's what was, and wasn't, in the Queen's Speech

After a delay of two days, the Queen’s Speech has finally been made, outlining the Conservative minority Government’s plans for the next parliamentary session.

Here’s what you need to know:

What was in the speech?

Eight of the Bills mentioned by the Queen were Brexit-related.

This includes a Repeal Bill to overturn the 1972 Act which took Britain into the European Economic Community and separate Bills on customs, trade, immigration, fisheries, agriculture, nuclear safeguards and the international sanctions regime.

Following the devastating Grenfell Tower fire last week and a string of terror attacks, the speech also focused on plans for a Civil Disaster Reaction Taskforce and a new Commission for Countering Extremism.

Counter-terror strategy will be reviewed and an independent public advocate to act on behalf of bereaved families created.

Other plans were more vague. On the deeply controversial social care policies contained in the Tory manifesto, the Queen’s Speech said only that ministers will “work to improve social care and bring forward proposals for consultation”, rather than providing any detail on proposals which would have required pensioners to pay for care at home as well as in residential settings.

The speech also said ministers would “bring forward measures to help tackle unfair practices in the energy market”, but made no mention of the cap promised during the election campaign.

What was missing?

The speech did not bear much resemblance to the Tory manifesto. Prime Minister Theresa May had said she would approach policy with “humility and resolve” after failing to win the 326 seats needed to secure a majority in Parliament, and what was missing from the Queen’s Speech seems to confirm this.

Manifesto promises such as means-testing of winter fuel payments, the pensions triple lock, a free vote on fox hunting and abolishing free school lunches were nowhere to be seen in the speech, and other pledges received only a cursory mention.

There was no mention in the speech of the contentious policy to bring back grammar schools. However, documents released alongside the speech state the Government will “look at all the options” for ensuring all children go to good or outstanding schools and will “work with Parliament to bring forward proposals that can command a majority”.