Hard not to conclude that's a fairly thin Queen's Speech.

Reasonable people might say that's understandable given the Government has had this pandemic thing to deal with. But it's quite a contrast with Biden and government's own build back rhetoric.

I'm broadly a fan of the main substance that is in there economy wise. On skills adult learning guarantee is desirable when we've still got 40% of the population without A-level equivalent qualifications (in contrast am sceptical that loan access will make much difference)

Despite not talking about it much the government does actually have a fairly big reform agenda on vocational education. T-Levels are a huge deal (never mentioned) and big picture think they're right to stick to their guns on the apprenticeship levy despite business lobbying

But beyond that the Queen's Speech showed a big contrast between the Government's impressively clear political strategy (again evidenced today with bills on elections nature/timing + culture war nudges) and far less clear governing agenda

Lack of social care content, no sign of an employment bill etc. I'm also increasingly worried that we're not doing the work on policy to deliver our net zero targets (public has no idea what govt is notionally signed up to doing to their houses in the not too distant future)...

Make your own mind up - here's the government's full briefing https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/queens-speech-2021-background-briefing-notes

There are signs of a refocusing on wanting to have a governing agenda post-Covid - not least the appointment of @NeilDotObrien + fact social care rows are at least now happening inside government. So this may be a timing issue ie a bit more distance from the pandemic is needed