By Daniel Hunter
The Queen has announced tough new laws in an attempt to curb immigration.
The new laws, set out by the Queen at the State Opening of Parliament, will see access to the NHS will be tightened, landlords forced to check immigration status and illegal migrants prevented from obtaining driving licences.
The Prince of Wales, joined by his wife the Duchess of Cornwall, attended for the first time since 1996.
The speech took place the day after it was announced Prince Charles would represent the monarch at the Commonwealth heads of government summit in Sri Lanka in November.
The Queen, setting out the government's legislative programme for the year ahead in a speech written for her by ministers, said its "first priority" remains strengthening Britain's economy, and it would "continue to prioritise measures that reduce the deficit".
She added: "It will also work to promote a fairer society that rewards people who work hard."
John Cridland, CBI Director-General, said: “Business does not need a raft of new bills at this stage of a Parliament. You cannot legislate your way to economic growth — laws are only ever one piece of the jigsaw.
“With only two years to go until the next election, business needs delivery on the ground not time-consuming new bills that will have little or no impact before 2015.
“Ministers must focus on driving up exports; getting finance to firms; cutting costs and red tape; and boosting the construction industry, through housing.”
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