REFORMING the House of Lords, creating a more flexible system of parental leave, and breaking up the banks are welcome measures included in the Queen’s Speech.

Lords reform is the most controversial step taken by the Government in a slimmed-down programme, but it is one which is necessary.

How can it be right for unaccountable figures, with a huge bias towards the South, and with seats often bought with bungs to the major political parties, to play such a major role in shaping Britain’s laws?

That said, it should be acknowledged that it is hardly a burning issue in the households of Britain, and it is no surprise that David Cameron should declare that economic growth and the creation of jobs is his number one priority.

He is right to do so, but the disappointment of the Queen’s Speech is the delay over promised action to tackle the crisis over care for the elderly and disabled.

A Bill to deal with the rising costs of supporting an ageing population has been published in draft form only – left on the shelf to gather more dust.

So much for the Government’s previous pledge to act this year after an independent commission identified a £1.7bn funding black hole.

It is a social tragedy that tens of thousands of pensioners, who have worked hard all their lives, are being forced to sell their homes to fund the cost of going into care.

No one should pretend there are easy answers, but it is a crisis which needs to be dealt with as a priority rather than pushed to one side.