Queen’s Speech January 2020: Debate in the House of Lords Day 1

This briefing is one of three prepared ahead of the three days of debate in the House of Lords on the Queen’s Speech, scheduled to take place between 7 and 9 January 2020. The briefings detail the legislative and policy announcements made by the Government, in the Queen’s Speech and in the associated documents, and provide links to further reading.

This briefing looks at foreign affairs, leaving the European Union, defence, international development, trade, energy, environment and agriculture. This includes information on the legislation being introduced to facilitate the UK’s exit from the European Union, such as the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill, and announcements about the UK’s future relationship with the EU. The briefing also lists other expected Brexit-related legislation, with each of these covered in further detail under the relevant subject heading; for example, the proposed Immigration Bill is covered in the Library’s briefing for day two of the Queen’s Speech debates, under the home affairs heading.

This briefing also details the following legislation:

• Trade Bill
• Private International Law (Implementation of Agreements) Bill
• Agriculture Bill
• Fisheries Bill
• Environment Bill
• Animal Welfare Bill 

In addition, it covers policy announcements regarding climate change and the Integrated Security, Defence and Foreign Policy Review.