November 23, 2004: Criminal Justice: Government Priorities

Addressing terrorism, organised crime and the tackling drugs are at the heart of Government priorities for the coming year. During the The Queen's Speech, given at the State Opening of Parliament today, measures were announced to:

•  Establish a Serious Organised Crime Agency
• Continue to tackle anti-social behaviour and the problems of drug abuse
• Bring in new laws to deal with harassment from animal rights' extremists
• Introduce national identity cards
• See a new Commission for Equality and Human Rights set up
• Legislate to improve the management of offenders

The Queen’s Speech included the following areas related to criminal justice:

“My Government recognises that we live in a time of global uncertainty with an increased threat from international terrorism and organised crime. Measures to extend opportunity will be accompanied by legislation to increase security for all.

My Government will legislate to introduce an identity cards scheme, and will publish proposals to support the continuing fight against terrorism in the United Kingdom and elsewhere.
Legislation will be introduced to establish the Serious Organised Crime Agency, and the powers the police and others have to fight crime will be strengthened. In particular, the Bill will introduce new measures to deal with harassment by animal rights extremists.

My Government will introduce legislation to tackle the problem of drug abuse and the crime that flows from it, and will tackle the disorder and violence that can arise from the abuse of alcohol.
My Government has always recognised the importance of clean and safe neighbourhoods. There will be further legislation to tackle anti-social behaviour…

My Government will bring forward legislation to reduce re-offending by improving the management of offenders.
A draft Bill will be published to tackle juvenile crime through more effective rehabilitation and sentencing.

Legislation will be introduced to reform the criminal defence service, making better use of legal aid resources. A draft Bill will be published to support those with legitimate civil claims and reform the system of tribunals.

A draft Bill will be published to introduce a new offence of corporate manslaughter…
My Government will continue to provide protection from discrimination and exploitation… A single Commission for Equality and Human Rights will be established.
Measures to reform the law on mental health will continue to undergo pre-legislative scrutiny.

My Government will continue to work with partners around the world to prevent terrorism and the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, and the problems of drug smuggling and international crime.”

The full text of the Queen’s speech can be downloaded here.