The Queen's Speech: Elizabeth II to Open UK Parliamentary Session

Queen Elizabeth II will deliver a speech on Wednesday during the State Opening of Parliament, marking the formal start of the parliamentary year and setting out the priorities of both Houses for the upcoming session.

LONDON (Sputnik) — The Queen's speech, which is delivered in the House of Lords, is expected to outline government policy and bills to be proposed during the next session of the parliament. 

This will be the 63rd occasion on which The Queen has opened Parliament #StateOpening pic.twitter.com/CP5nYNk5y0

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) 18 May 2016

​The State Opening of Parliament is a predominantly ceremonial event since the text of the Queen's speech is written by the country's government and the most significant bills are known before the ceremony. 

Healthcare

The Queen is expected to propose a number of bills centered around healthcare. One such draft law is expected to include the cancellation of all free medical services for citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA), which comprises all the members of the European Union, as well as Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein.

Within the framework of the proposed reform, foreigners will have to pay for all the services provided by the National Health System (NHS), including for diagnostics and first aid.

The measure aims to generate some 500 million pounds ($722 million at the current exchange rates) for the state coffers.

Advanced Technologies

Queen Elizabeth II is also expected to mention the construction of the country's first spaceport among the government priorities.

The spaceport could be built by 2018 at one of eight sites, most of which are located in Scotland, including Kinloss Barracks, Leuchar and Lossiemouth military bases or Glasgow Prestwick Airport, as well as Welsh Llanbedr Airport or England's Newquay Cornwall Airport.

The project is estimated to cost 150 million pounds.

The Queen could also outline a bill to promote the use of driverless cars on British roads as well as drones in UK airspace.

Prison Reform

The Queen's speech is also expected to touch upon prison reforms in the United Kingdom. 

Today Her Majesty The Queen will formally open @UKParliament and deliver the #QueensSpeech #StateOpening

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) 18 May 2016​

A new framework for stronger prison governors is due to be announced. Governors' powers are expected to be expanded to include control over budgets. The bill stipulates that six prison facilities will obtain self-governing powers in the next 12 years.

According to the proposed bill, prisoners are also expected to be granted the right to serve "weekend jail" sentences with special transmitting devices controlling their movements outside correctional facilities.

Anti-Extremism Measures

The Queen is also expected to mention measures aimed at tackling extremism.

People who have been accused of inciting hatred will be banned from working with children and socially vulnerable groups.

The draft law also stipulates the prohibition of groups spreading hatred and the closure of religious organizations involved in such activities.